Borked MBR - Windows XP!

[mrmazda]

If you can see the Windows partition then it is probably mixed boot methods.

There is no UEFI on a 755, or a 760, or a 780, or a 745. 790 I don't remember.

[Jes]

Hi All,

Back with an update, though there's only negative stuff to report so far.

What have I tried?:-
- Windows XP installation disk on cd - froze after "Press Key to Boot from this CD"
- Windows XP installation disk on USB - Got to Windows and then BSOD.

So all round not good.

In case it'll help with insight here is the output from cat /root/grub2/grub.cfg

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub2-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
set btrfs_relative_path="y"
export btrfs_relative_path
if [ -f ${config_directory}/grubenv ]; then
  load_env -f ${config_directory}/grubenv
elif [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  load_env
fi


if [ "${env_block}" ] ; then
  set env_block="(${root})${env_block}"
  export env_block
  load_env -f "${env_block}"
fi


if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   if [ "${env_block}" ] ; then
     save_env -f "${env_block}" next_entry
   fi
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="${saved_entry}"
fi


if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi


export menuentry_id_option


if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi


function savedefault {
  if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    if [ "${env_block}" ] ; then
      save_env -f "${env_block}" saved_entry
    else
      save_env saved_entry
    fi


  fi
}


function load_video {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}


if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_msdos
insmod btrfs
set root='hd0,msdos2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos2 --hint='hd0,msdos2'  a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub2/unicode.pf2"
fi


if loadfont $font ; then
  if [ "${grub_platform}" = "efi" ]; then
    echo "Please press 't' to show the boot menu on this console"
  fi


  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_input console
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod btrfs
set root='hd0,msdos2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos2 --hint='hd0,msdos2'  a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f
fi
insmod gfxmenu
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans-Bold14.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans10.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans12.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub2/themes/openSUSE/ascii.pf2
insmod png
set theme=($root)/boot/grub2/themes/openSUSE/theme.txt
export theme
if [ x${boot_once} = xtrue ]; then
  set timeout=0
elif [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
  set timeout_style=menu
  set timeout=8
# Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
else
  set timeout=8
fi
if [ -n "$extra_cmdline" ]; then
  menuentry "Help on bootable snapshot #$snapshot_num" {
    echo "Select the default entry of the snapshot boot menu."
    echo "Examine the snapshot, and if it's OK,"
    echo "   run 'snapper rollback' and reboot."
    echo "See 'System Rollback by Booting from Snapshots'"
    echo "   in the manual for more information."
    echo "  ** Hit Any Key to return to boot menu **  "
    read
  }
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_tuned ###
set tuned_params=""
set tuned_initrd=""
### END /etc/grub.d/00_tuned ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'openSUSE Tumbleweed'  --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f' {
	load_video
	set gfxpayload=keep
	insmod gzio
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod btrfs
	set root='hd0,msdos2'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos2 --hint='hd0,msdos2'  a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f
	fi
	echo	'Loading Linux 5.16.0-1-default ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-5.16.0-1-default root=UUID=a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f  ${extra_cmdline} quiet mitigations=auto
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd-5.16.0-1-default
}
submenu 'Advanced options for openSUSE Tumbleweed' --hotkey=1 $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f' {
	menuentry 'openSUSE Tumbleweed, with Linux 5.16.0-1-default' --hotkey=2 --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-5.16.0-1-default-advanced-a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f' {
		load_video
		set gfxpayload=keep
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod btrfs
		set root='hd0,msdos2'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos2 --hint='hd0,msdos2'  a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 5.16.0-1-default ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-5.16.0-1-default root=UUID=a0d285c5-b4e3-4ec2-b3d0-00dbf912d59f  ${extra_cmdline} quiet mitigations=auto
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd-5.16.0-1-default
	}
}


### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###


### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/80_suse_btrfs_snapshot ###
btrfs-mount-subvol ($root) /.snapshots @/.snapshots
if [ -f "/.snapshots/grub-snapshot.cfg" ]; then
  source "/.snapshots/grub-snapshot.cfg"
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/80_suse_btrfs_snapshot ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/90_persistent ###
### END /etc/grub.d/90_persistent ###


### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/95_textmode ###
if [ "${grub_platform}" = "efi" ]; then
  # On EFI systems we can only have graphics *or* serial, so allow the user
  # to switch between the two
  hiddenentry 'Text mode' --hotkey 't' {
    set textmode=true
    terminal_output console
  }
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/95_textmode ###

and here's the contents of /etc/default/grub

GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER="false"
GRUB_TERMINAL="gfxterm"
GRUB_TIMEOUT="8"
GRUB_ENABLE_CRYPTODISK="n"
GRUB_GFXMODE="auto"
GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY="true"
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=
GRUB_DEFAULT="saved"
SUSE_BTRFS_SNAPSHOT_BOOTING="true"
GRUB_THEME="/boot/grub2/themes/openSUSE/theme.txt"
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT="0"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet mitigations=auto"
GRUB_CMDLINE_XEN_DEFAULT="vga=gfx-1024x768x16"

This is really causing problems now so anything anyone can suggest will be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

Jes

[larryr]

755 is a core 2 duo model - probably pre-2011 so on UEFI in BIOS.

If the XP partition is still there - VirtualBox might boot it up.

I would install VirtuaBox and create a Windows XP machine - mount the CD in the virtualbox machine. - There are plenty of VirtualBox how to on youtube. I have a VirtualBox XP machine on my OpenSUSE 15.3 to run some old 16bit windows apps that I like to use - you can mount any folder into the XP machine to move files to/from XP.

Worse case is PM me and I can help you install VirtualBox and Windows XP ( worse case you can clone my XP if your Dell has a Windows Sticker on it - no licensed software on it my image - just freeware).

Teamviewer-suse is your friend - here is how to install it.

add this repo to your repos - then zypper in teamviewer-suse (allow the unsigned and the repo)

llrainey@VM1:/etc/zypp/repos.d> cat teamviewer.repo
[teamviewer]
name=TeamViewer - $basearch
baseurl=https://linux.teamviewer.com/yum/stable/main/binary-$basearch/
gpgkey=https://linux.teamviewer.com/pubkey/currentkey.asc
gpgcheck=1
repo_gpgcheck=1
enabled=1
type=rpm-md[teamviewer]
name=TeamViewer - $basearch
baseurl=https://linux.teamviewer.com/yum/stable/main/binary-$basearch/
gpgkey=https://linux.teamviewer.com/pubkey/currentkey.asc
gpgcheck=1
repo_gpgcheck=1
enabled=1
type=rpm-md

to add repo just cut and paste this into a terminal window:

sudo cat <<EOF > /etc/zypp/repos.d/teamviewer.repo
[teamviewer]
name=TeamViewer - $basearch
baseurl=https://linux.teamviewer.com/yum/stable/main/binary-$basearch/
gpgkey=https://linux.teamviewer.com/pubkey/currentkey.asc
gpgcheck=1
repo_gpgcheck=1
enabled=1
type=rpm-md[teamviewer]
name=TeamViewer - $basearch
baseurl=https://linux.teamviewer.com/yum/stable/main/binary-$basearch/
gpgkey=https://linux.teamviewer.com/pubkey/currentkey.asc
gpgcheck=1
repo_gpgcheck=1
enabled=1
type=rpm-md
EOF

[mrmazda]

755 is a core 2 duo model - probably pre-2011 so on UEFI in BIOS.

It's certainly a pre-2010 model, because my Optiplex 760, which does not have UEFI and is the model that replaced OP's Optiplex 755, was manufactured in June 2009. My Optiplex 745, which is the model that OP's Optiplex 755 replaced, was manufactured in July 2007, and does not have UEFI. I'm confident if my brother would answer me he would tell me his Optiplex 755 was made in 2008 or early 2009 and does not have UEFI. Thus it's virtually certain OP's Optiplex 755 was manufactured in 2008, and equally, does not have UEFI.

[larryr]

755 is a core 2 duo model - probably pre-2011 so no UEFI in BIOS.

That "on" should have been a "no" - fat fingers and error correct did not detect. in the previous post. UEFI was first adapted in 2006 but 2011 is the first year for mass produced UEFI machines. Vista 64 Pro SP1 was the first UEFI OS in January 2009. But Windows 8 in 2012 was the first windows versions that all versions supported UEFI.

[mrmazda]

My brother's two 755s were made in May and June 2008 and do not have UEFI. I found in Optiplex 780 BIOS setup and reading the Optiplex 790 owner's manual that the 790 was the first Optiplex with UEFI.