hkyman123

Just to sart off, I have 64-bit Windows Vista with a Turion x2 processor, on an HP IQ770 Crossfire touchscreen computer.

I recently tried to install Linux so I could dual-boot that along with Vista. Something screwed up while I was partitioning the hard drive, and I lost everything. Linux boots fine now, but Vista does not show up under the list of operating systems. I went to look for the recovery disc with the rest of the stuff that came with my computer, and it turns out that it did not come with one. I also have a laptop with 64-bit Vista Core2Duo processor, which did come with a recovery disc. I wouldn't think that it would work though, because it wouldn't load the drivers that are unique to my computer. I'm not sure though.

What I would like to know is, would my other recovery disc work fine? If not, is there any other way to delete any existing partitions on my hard drive, and restore my computer to the way it was when I bought it?

Thank you in advance.

TriggerFinger

hi...

try this to recover... Laptop Recovery Instructions

hkyman123

Thanks, but it didn't work. It just booted Linux again. I know I had a recovery partition on my C drive, but I don't know if it was deleted or not.

TriggerFinger

are you using GRUB? if so, try editing/configuring GRUB... btw what linux distro are you using? if somehow the recovery partition or the Vista partition got deleted, i guess you have to install Vista again.

to answer if you can use the recovery CDs from another HP laptop, i really doubt it but it's worth a try. you can get recovery CDs for your specific model from HP website.

hkyman123

I have Ubuntu with GRUB, I don't know what you mean though by editing/configuring GRUB though. I have given up on dual booting Linux now though, I am just going to install it on another computer on its own.

TriggerFinger

if you want to modify how GRUB handles the new dual boot environment, you need to edit the boot menu. Boot into Ubuntu and open up a Terminal window (Applications, Accessories, Terminal), and type in (to make a back up of grub menu):

sudo cp /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/menu.lst_bak

and enter your root password when asked - this makes a backup of the GRUB menu file just in case things go wrong.

then, type in:

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

Somehow it should show you if you still have Vista...

On the other hand, if you have decided to reinstall Vista from scratch, getting the recovery CDs from HP is the best way to go (less headache for less than $30 [not sure] )

themoodude

Do you still have the Vista partition (with Windows Vista installed) however are automatically booting straight into linux, or have you managed to delete the Original Vista Partition?