root@asdf-desktop:~#...what?

[haidolover]

okay guys. here is the thing. i am staying at a temp host family in japan. but their previous exchange student, Niels, from Switzerland pretty much DESTROYED their computer. It just refuses to work properly. It has Windows XP and Ubuntu installed on it. When you try to boot Windows XP it says that there is a problem with the UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME and it shuts down the computer to avoid problems, (a bit late for that.) And Niels forgot his password and username for the Kubuntu login so I cant do that either. So instead I boot Ubuntu in recovery mode (where I can run commands) but it then comes to a point where it asks: root@asdf-desktop:~#

...

what? I dont know what to type. then it has the option of viewing all 1749 available commands to run in response to that...I could go through each of the possibilities but I will only be here for a week. Plus I have to go to school 2 days this week. So I was really hoping that one of you guys could point me in the right direction. I just really REALLY wanna fix the comp...Even though I didnt promise my temp host fam or anything...I just said that I would try but its sooo difficult! Someone please help me help them!

Love from Krys in Japan!!!!!!:p :D

[SoftDux]

1. Get yourself some books on Linux
2. I'd suggest you reinstall Windows, if they're not going to use Linux
3. If they want to use Linux, google on howto reset the root password from where you are. Chances are you'd need to remount the HDD in read-write mode, and then use the "passwd" command to create a new password

[haidolover]

actually I already figured it out...sorry I forgot to say that!

Yeah, I found out that I can basically run any chain of commands I want at that line. So I made a new account under Ubuntu and I changed Niels' password and the root password

I just need to figure out how to uninstall Unbuntu in recovery mode...Does anyone know how to do that?

[SoftDux]

You don't uninstall an OS, you reinstall / format / repartition the partition it's running on

[vantim]

The best way to reinstall ubuntu linux is to wipe out the partition to remove it and then reinstall the OS from scratch.

[haidolover]

really? cuz the comp was originally just windows XP but then Niels installed Ubuntu OVERTOP of windows XP...now when you try to run Windows XP it shuts down the comp...There must be a way..?

[vantim]

It sounds like they set it up in a dual boot configuration. From what you are telling me it sounds like XP is the OS with the troubles and Ubuntu is still working. Is that correct?

[haidolover]

correct! help me please!

[vantim]

If you have a copy of the install disc for XP put it in and run setup. Choose to repair the current installation of XP. That should get XP up and running again. But be warned it will probably overwrite the Ubuntu's boot loader with XP's bootloader. At that point you'll probably have to run Ubuntu's setup to get the linux boot loader again.