Want to impress your Windows friends with PCLinuxOS?

[linux411]

One of the very cool things about Linux is you can fix Windows with it. Let's say you get a call from one of your friends. They say they can't boot into their Windows computer. You ask about the "System Restore Disk". They say their computer didn't come with one but the installer is on the hard drive. However, somehow they trashed their Master Boot Record (MBR). So how do you fix something you can't get into to fix? You can buy a boot disk from Microsoft or another after-market software vendor. Or, you can boot up PCLinuxOS with your trusty live cd on your friends computer.

Boot into your PCLinuxOS live cd on your friends computer, making sure the internet connection is available.

Open a terminal -----> START~MORE APPLICATIONS~TERMINALS~KONSOLE

Type the following :

su root -----> You will need to enter the Root's password, which is root.

apt-get install ms-sys -----> This will install the needed files and programs.

fdisk -l -----> Look for a section saying it has an NTFS file system and note the drive designation.

ms-sys -m /dev/sda -----> If the fdisk output states 'sda' the disk your NTFS system is on.

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That's it !!! Reboot and confirm Windows MBR is active again!!! Hear the praises from your friends !!!

Oh, P.S.: Don't forget to remove the PCLinuxOS from the cd drive! :-)

** BUMP ** :-)

[Crow]

WOW I need a friend in problems to try it 

[T6]

apt-get?

in pclinux livecd?

i normally just use hirens or other similar tools but usually when the partition starts loosing files like those is faster to reinstall

[parnote]

LMAO, T6! You said "faster to reinstall" when talking about Windows!!!!

[T6]

yes, when talking about fixing vs reinstalling

but in general i prefer to be happy and tell the owner how bad the os is and that they didn't do anything to cause the problem

all lies...   

[thorper]

Great tip linux411 as I do seem to be the family/neighbourhood computer help desk. The only thing I would disagree with is your last comment

"Oh, P.S.: Don't forget to remove the PCLinuxOS from the cd drive! :-)"

I would convince them to install PCLinuxOS and leave them the disk to try out )

[menotu]

WOW I need a friend in problems to try it 

    

[Tony]

linux411, a question 

So this would work on a windows computer that MS were too stingy to give you the Installation disk  - Yes ?

The installation 'Files' are on a Hidden Partition, and are usually Restored buy what I call a 'Recovery Disk', a horrible thing that wipes the Drive, Then..., installs a fresh new install of Windows ? 

The great advantage of what you're outlining is:

apt-get install ms-sys -----> This will install the needed files and programs.

The missing System Files are intelligently replaced; without going through a whole disk wipe, and reinstall of Windows ? Yes ?

Thanks !

[bicol_willem]

What "we" DO to keep "them" going ha?!     

(Nice tip) 

[YouCanToo]

My friends are smart enough to not use Windows in the first place  As for the rest of them. Well, there isn't enough money to make me want to fix their stuff for them. I am not going to keep enabling the cycle by fixing their machines for them.

[Tony]

"...Well, there isn't enough money to make me want to fix their stuff for them. I am not going to keep enabling the cycle by fixing their machines for them."

I'm in a sticky situation; my 80 year old Mother has had her Win XP System hacked and trashed. My Sister gave mum the Computer, P4 - XP installed, but left me to set it up. No one could figure the WiFi settings from Modem; to Computer in another room; even my ISP were befuddled, but we got it sorted. Some encryption problem with the Old WinXP wifi settings.
Anyway, I've spent days getting her online about six months ago, and she has learnt to enjoy looking online for Gardening tips, etc.   To teach how to open Email took five hours  
She has terrible arthritis but was able to find a mouse for such probs. No way can she 'Double Click'.

My preference would be to install a nice little Linux Distro, something a six year old would start off with.
All she needs is a Browser, and a Email client.

*I've heard of this scam before, but it really is quite different when it happens to your Mother.  
Indian guy rings (No offence implied to any Indians), "Give me the details of your Credit Card, or we will remove all programmes from your Computer."
Of course Mum didn't give out the Credit Card info, and the Hacker has made her WinXP Comp unbootable.
Guess who's been enlisted to get her back online...  
There are a lot of options for me to consider, I wont bore you all. Sure I have already, plain yawn-inducing.

At this time a Linux installation is a 95% very unlikely situation.
 
How to convince someone to use Linux ?  Darn families. My Sister doesn't know if there's a 'Recovery Disk' or Boot Disk, lying around, can work without 'em, but easier with them obviously ...

Yeah, way too much information, sorry, Sunday afternoon reflections.

[djohnston]

The great advantage of what you're outlining is:

apt-get install ms-sys -----> This will install the needed files and programs.

The missing System Files are intelligently replaced; without going through a whole disk wipe, and reinstall of Windows ? Yes ?

I haven't tried ms-sys, so I don't know the answer to your question. Here is the description from Synaptic:

This program is used to create DOS/MS-compatible boot records. It is able to do the same as Microsoft "fdisk /mbr" to a hard disk. It is also able to do the same as DOS "sys" to a floppy or FAT32 partition except that it does not copy any system files, only the boot record is written.

Notice the absence of NTFS. I'd be interested in knowing if it does work on an NTFS partition. Do you have the XP license key for the copy that was originally installed?

[T6]

"She has terrible arthritis but was able to find a mouse for such probs. No way can she 'Double Click'."

could she be candidate to use a touch screen or a tablet?  might be simpler for her than use a mouse?

[sammy2fish]

My friends are smart enough to not use Windows in the first place  As for the rest of them. Well, there isn't enough money to make me want to fix their stuff for them. I am not going to keep enabling the cycle by fixing their machines for them.

THAT is where we differ.

I have no problem making money from saps that love windows.  I charge 80.00 bucks to save data, format, install windows, add optional programs.  Installing hardware & drivers is extra.

I figure that if they are so numb in the brain, I should be able to make 3/4 of what the techs at the computer stores make...no?

[T6]

you are expensive!