After installing a Linux distro on a Windows XP machine, the GRUB boot loader, or other Linux boot loader, will appear when the PC boots. It gives you the option of which operating system to start. GRUB usually makes Linux the default OS, so it will start automatically when the PC is turned on.
If you ever delete the Linux distro and don’t have Windows set as the OS that will boot when the PC is powered on, Windows might not start and will give an error message.
An easy way to fix the Windows XP master boot record is to use the Windows Install CD.
1) Insert the Windows XP Install CD and reboot the computer.
2) When “Press any key to boot from CD” appears, press any key.
3)When the “Welcome to Setup” screen appears, press R to enter the Recovery Console.
4)When asked which Windows installation to log onto, enter the number for the correct Windows install, then press Enter.
5)Type the Administrator password or just press Enter if there isn’t one.
6)Type FIXMBR and press Enter.
7) It will ask if you are sure you want to write a new MBR. Type y and press Enter.
It should say “The new master boot record has been successfully written”. Type exit and press Enter to reboot the computer.
8) Remove the Installation CD as soon as the computer powers up so it won’t boot from the CD again.
The computer should now boot into Windows.
