I think I'm in trouble... Yrag around?

Try using Partition Magic.

And a good program: http://bootmaster.filerecovery.biz/download.html

Have you resized the partitions from whithin Ubuntu?

Do you normally use GRUB to boot, if yes does this error show up after or before GRUB? If before, have you tried to restore your MBR?

If after and if you still can boot into Ubuntu, I would recommend to backup your Data while in Ubuntu.

Ah.....Propeller hat's off its gimbals again....

Kona,

It is probably less of a disaster than you think.

While waiting for 'yraq' (which I would also recommend) you could use Ubuntu to copy your data to a removable storage source if you can see it from within Ubuntu.

It sounds to me like you may have more than one partition marked as active (or one without the system files for XP).

If you have an installation disc for XP, you could use the recovery console. I have not had to run 'diskpart' via the console, but it can be used to list partitions and then mark the proper one active (assuming the 'list partition' and 'select partition' are valid commands in recovery console).

You can definitely use the 'fixboot' and 'fixmbr' commands in recovery console if needed (after backing up your data).

Here are a couple links if you want to try anything before yraq drops by   :

Recovery console commands:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/recovery_console_cmds.mspx?mfr=true

Mark partition active (use the command line reference as needed):

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/dm_active_partition.mspx?mfr=true

- right off the hop, if you can still bootup into ubuntu, get in their and backup your data either on to removable media (cd-r / dvd-r, etc.) or if you have internet access while running ubuntu, setup an account with an online storage provider and upload the stuff you need to save.

Definitely save the data first if you can successfully boot into ubuntu.
After you have saved your data, then perform the recovery attempts using the ideas shown above.

Let us know know how it goes and what you were able to get done.

I have already tried fixmbr and fixboot. It does nothing.

I can't use ununtu to get into windows because Ubuntu is no longer installed. when I used fixmbr it wiped out grub.

Not sure how to handle this. fixboot says it can't find nothing to fix.

I could re-install XP but I have over 800 digital photos that are not backed up.

I guess I'll quit dabbling in Linux.

Do you have an Ubuntu Live CD?
I've used that successfully a few times in situations like this.

By the way this all started after trying to mount my windows partition in ubuntu so I could read files in windows from Linux.

I sure hope there is data on that drive.

I've been using Mandriva Live to talk here to you all.

Yes I have the Ubuntu Live CD. Why? Do you think I should re-install Ubuntu? I tried that. the partioner can't seem to find any Windows partitions therefore if I install I would be over-writing Linux.

Try this TestDisk partition recovery

Sorry, you can't mount the failed HD at all?

TestDisk looks good but how does one use it on a system running a live linux CD? Is there a way to create a bootable CD with TestDisk on it?

Test Disk Rescue CDs

Kona,

If you have Ubuntu 7.04 (feisty fawn) live CD, you should be able to load the live CD into memory and then access your files (Places > Computer > Drive > Documents and Settings). I don't know about earlier versions of Ubuntu as to whether they can read the 'NTFS' format.

If you can and have either a second optical drive (burner) or a second internal or external drive, you can copy your files for backup.

I once had the same symptoms on my system. The thing that safed me was to reinstall Ubuntu. But I have to add that Ubuntu was installed on a second Hard-drive and I didn't have to worry whether I overwrite Windows or not.

I believe your Windows is still there and complete, all you would need to do is to reinstall GRUB to get access to it.

Fuzzy you saved my day! Thank you so much!

Problem solved!

I am writing this post from XP. Here is what I did:

First I swapped out hard drives and put in my tiny 4 gig drive.

I then installed Windows 2000, and after installation installed service pack 4, Nero 6 and Firefox. I also grabbed the video and audio drivers from dell.com.

I looked for a bootable version of the TestDisk program and downloaded the ultimateboot CD.

I plugged in my other drive and ran TestDisk. It fixed the problem.

Thanks everyone.