[nicnock]

I recently installed Linux Ubuntu on my external USB Hard Drive, when Restarting my laptop it came up with an error and then I took out the Hard Drive and restarted to see if it would run Windows Xp Home but the same message appeared again and now can not get it back at all, plus my Laptop never came with any CD's.

My Laptop is a Sony Vaio VGN-FS215B,
with a Intel Pentium M CPU
a 512MB x 2 256MB Memory
a 60GB HDD
a 802.11 b/g WAN
a 15.4" WXGA x-black LCD Screen
a Double Layer DVD_+RW Optical
a Intel 915GM with upto 128MB Graphics
and Windows XP Home

Edited by nicnock, 03 September 2007 - 06:38 AM.

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Hi nicnock, and Welcome! to Geeks to Go.

Since we're talking about a laptop, and since this was a USB related event, I suggest that you unplug all USB devices, and then boot to Last known good configuration."

Right after you push the power button, and while the screen with your computer manufacturer's logo on it loads, start pressing the F8 button over and over. About twice a second is right. In some systems, pressing it too fast will result in an error.

Just keep that up until you arrive at a black screen with white writing. One of the lines will be highlighted. Use the arrow keys of the keyboard to move the highlighting to "Last known good configuration(your settings that worked)" Then press the Enter key of the keyboard.

Sometimes the computer will ask which Operating System you want to use. Mine does this although I only have XP Pro installed. No worry. Make sure that the highlighting is on Windows XP Home, and then press Enter again. The system will boot, and likely all will be well.

After your laptop reaches an idle state, (couple of minutes at most) then plug in one USB device at a time and let Windows "find" it again.

If your external hard drive has a card reader, or extra USB ports itself, plug it in turned off. Let Windows "find" it and "install" it. Once you receive the confirmation balloon--"Your new device is installed and ready to use," -- then power up the external drive and let Window 'find" and "install" it all over again. Should be good to go.

I'm thinking that perhaps your computer does not support booting from a USB device, or that your BIOS are not set to allow it.

[1101doc]

Hi nicnock, and Welcome! to Geeks to Go.

Since we're talking about a laptop, and since this was a USB related event, I suggest that you unplug all USB devices, and then boot to Last known good configuration."

Right after you push the power button, and while the screen with your computer manufacturer's logo on it loads, start pressing the F8 button over and over. About twice a second is right. In some systems, pressing it too fast will result in an error.

Just keep that up until you arrive at a black screen with white writing. One of the lines will be highlighted. Use the arrow keys of the keyboard to move the highlighting to "Last known good configuration(your settings that worked)" Then press the Enter key of the keyboard.

Sometimes the computer will ask which Operating System you want to use. Mine does this although I only have XP Pro installed. No worry. Make sure that the highlighting is on Windows XP Home, and then press Enter again. The system will boot, and likely all will be well.

After your laptop reaches an idle state, (couple of minutes at most) then plug in one USB device at a time and let Windows "find" it again.

If your external hard drive has a card reader, or extra USB ports itself, plug it in turned off. Let Windows "find" it and "install" it. Once you receive the confirmation balloon--"Your new device is installed and ready to use," -- then power up the external drive and let Window 'find" and "install" it all over again. Should be good to go.

I'm thinking that perhaps your computer does not support booting from a USB device, or that your BIOS are not set to allow it.

[fleamailman]

What error, please elaborate, since we may get your orginal goal working here if you don't want to give up that is


you will need to post your question on a the thread in the ubuntu forum of their distro, and they will then point you to a howto as everything is always harder alone.
http://ubuntuforums.org/

just for example and this is NOT ubuntu, but kubuntu so it is NOT right for you but it gives you an idea of how the distro's forum helps.
http://kubuntuforums...topic=3081748.0

Edited by fleamailman, 03 September 2007 - 09:23 AM.

[wirelesspacket]

I recently installed Linux Ubuntu on my external USB Hard Drive, when Restarting my laptop it came up with an error and then I took out the Hard Drive and restarted to see if it would run Windows Xp Home but the same message appeared again and now can not get it back at all, plus my Laptop never came with any CD's.

My Laptop is a Sony Vaio VGN-FS215B,
with a Intel Pentium M CPU
a 512MB x 2 256MB Memory
a 60GB HDD
a 802.11 b/g WAN
a 15.4" WXGA x-black LCD Screen
a Double Layer DVD_+RW Optical
a Intel 915GM with upto 128MB Graphics
and Windows XP Home

nicnock,

Ok here goes..

I have an idea what might have happened.. You had XP installed onto the local Hard Disk of your Laptop... Then you decided to install Ubuntu Linux onto an External USB Drive connected to the computer.. I have the feeling you make have accidentally messed up your computers boot loader...

Maybe when doing your Ubuntu installation (Prepare disk space) you should have selected Guided - use entire disk.. choosing the USB device to install ubuntu onto...

Doing this I do feel it may somehow mess with your boot loader still (not sure)... Dual booting would have been much easier... safer... in my opinion.. I have done so on many occasions... Ubuntu and XP...

This link will help with dual booting... - https://help.ubuntu....WindowsDualBoot

[nicnock]

How do I get rid of the problem and resolve Windows?

[scguy318]

I recommend the Super GRUB CD. Next time, PLEASE check the GRUB parameter when installing.

[wirelesspacket]

If you would ever like to choose boot both Ubuntu and Windows on the same system.. I would recommend next time using Wubi... http://wubi-installer.org/

[scguy318]

I'm a bit wary of Wubi. After all, what happens when you fsck / when installed on an NTFS partition? While it's a good idea, the whole benefit of ext3 and no defragging is not there.

[nicnock]

Would formatting my Laptop's hard drive resolve the problem?

[scguy318]

Thats overkill, why not just reinstall the XP MBR with Super GRUB?

[nicnock]

Not sure how too and not sure what you mean?

[scguy318]

Burn the ISO from this site: http://supergrub.forjamari.linex.org/

[nicnock]

Thanks I've taken a look at the site and will be downloading it as soon as I can

[Supercalifragilistic]

Boot from the windows XP CD, press the "R" key in the setup in order to start the restoration console. Select your windows XP installation from the list, and enter the administrator password.
Enter the command: "FIXMBR" (without the quotes) at the input prompt and confirm the next question with a "Y" (without the quotes). Use exit to restore the computer.