Topic: Computer Woes :(

Ugh, so my laptop has a Windows and 2 Linux partitions on it (the latter of which I don't use much). I needed more space under Windows, so I decided to wipe the Linux partitions and reformat as NTFS to get some extra space. Unfortunately, I completely forgot that my bootloader was GRUB, which I deleted when I got rid of the Linux partitions.

Anyway, I hadn't restarted for a couple of days so didn't notice. However last night I rebooted, and sure enough GRUB went in to recovery mode because it couldn't find the boot files. Whoops. Then I dug out my Windows disc and booted that, but for some reason the option to repair (which would have fixed my boot option) wasn't there. I must have accidentally pressed something (which surprises me, I know what I'm doing) and suddenly new Windows files started being installed, but I didn't know where - I had a bunch of stuff on the hard drive that I didn't want to lose.

I quickly shut down the PC, found a bootable Ubuntu USB and booted that, managing to back up all my important files to an external drive. However, it cost me a couple of hours of what should have been 'relax in front of the TV' time as well as my temper. I'll have to go back tonight and reinstall Windows (along with all the drivers etc. that need to be done - very tedious).

Anyone done anything stupid like that with their PC before? I find it's even worse when it's your own fault - I generally know what I'm doing with PCs, so it annoys the crap out of me when I have a brain fart and do something stupid.

yeah it happen to me before too i took mine to pc place and they fixed mine and up graded too...

I totally had this problem recently, did you get it fixed?

No never... If I ever want to use linux (or other OS) I'll just get a computer for just for that or use a virtual computer.

I havent had any major issues with my laptop.
Then again it's quite old and unreliable, so I get the occasional (read: often) crash, overheating, static shock, shriek when I close it, etc.
Not the safest computer - but I love it none the less (as long as it starts up D:<).

I will tonight, although I'm taking the 'easy' way out - just reinstalling Windows. It was becoming due for a format and reinstall anyway, so I'll do that tonight and all will be well again

It's not a tough problem to fix normally (i.e. by repairing the boot record) but since I should reinstall Windows I'll just do that instead. Saves me the hassle of doing a format and reinstall in a month or two anyway.

Why's that? A dual (or multi) boot isn't too hard to set up if you're fairly confident with computers, and it will save you money and/or hassle to get working. These days some Linux installations will even offer to shrink down an existing partition in order to make room for the Linux install.

Glad you know what you're doing. I freaked out when I first did it but it was an easy fix after some googling.

Haha yeah I know my way around Windows pretty well - in the late 90s before we got internet at my parent's house I'd have to figure out computer problems on my own (occasionally I'd read about a similar problem in the tech help section of my monthly PC magazine) so I learned many of the ins and outs that way. I wouldn't call myself an expert but these days with a bit of googling I can fix most problems without too much hassle. t's made me the IT guy for my family though, which can be a bit frustrating at times!