[NTLUG:Discuss] MBR Problem?

[Robert Citek]

On Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 8:08 PM, Bobby Sanders <ssanders at ssvzc.com> wrote:
> I am at a loss.  The only thing I can think of to do is to try to
> complete the dual boot process by using an  iso cdrom with  Ubuntu 9.10
> on it.  Maybe  there is a way  to recreate the original MBR and remove
> grub when, and if, I get into XP.

The normal boot process on Windows is as follows (mostly):

- read the MBR
- read the NTLDR from the first sector of the first active boot partition
- read the c:\boot.ini file

I have not run wubi in a while (don't run Windows anymore).  But if I
recall correctly, wubi leaves the MBR and the first sector (NTLDR)
untouched, but does add an entry into the c:\boot.ini file to create
an option to load grub.  That means you should see the Windows boot
menu before you see grub's menu, like this:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide#How%20do%20I%20select%20whether%20to%20run%20Windows%20or%20Ubuntu?

If you choose Windows, then Windows boots as normal.  If you choose
Ubuntu, grub loads and then eventually Ubuntu boots through some
loopback magic.

The upshot is that the issue should not be with the MBR or NTLDR, but
rather with something else, e.g. a corrupted Windows file or corrupted
NTFS filesystem.

Some suggestions:

1) Try booting into Safe Mode to see if Windows can fix its own
problems.  To do so, press F8 at the Windows Boot Manager screen and
then select Safe Mode.

2) Try running chkdsk:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide#Corrupted%20NTFS%20filesystem

If you wish to manually remove wubi:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide#How%20do%20I%20manually%20uninstall%20Wubi?

Or boot a LiveCD, mount the NTFS partition, edit the c:\boot.ini file
to comment out or delete the grub entry, and remove the folders as
mentioned in the above link.

Good luck and let us know how things go.

Regards,
- Robert