Grub2

As an example how I would use Grub to solve the OP problem as follow.

(2) I type

Code: As an example how I would use Grub to solve the OP problem as follow.

(1) I boot up a Grub CD (or a floppy) to get a Grub prompt.

(2) I type Code:

geometry (hd0)

to see the hard disk partitions layout. Since this is a Fedora C3 it must has a Type 83 partition for /boot, a Type 8e for LVM and a Type 7 for the XP. FC3 may have several Type 83 partitions if LVM is not used but the /boot is always at the front. Say the first type 83 partition is number 2 then I can fire up Fedora by Code:

root (hd0,2)
configfile /grub/grub.conf

---

If I want to be lazy I can ask Grub to find out which partition has grub.conf by command Code:

find grub.conf

and use that partition reference for the above "root" command.

I can also restore the Grub without booting up Fedora by Code:

root (hd0,2)
setup (hd0)

the above is exactly what would be achieved by Fedora's installation CD except it is done with a Linux and Grub can do it without a boot-up Linux.

Also if the Fedora still doesn't boot I can ask Grub to diaplay its cconfiguration file by Code:

cat (hd0,2)/grub/grub.conf

I can then follow line by line to type the same command at the terminal boot Fedora "manually" and vary the parameters at the same time if needed.

A Grub floppy or CD can fire up the XP, say if it is in the 1st partition, by Code:

root (hd0,0)
chainloader +1
boot

Grub counts from 0 so hda3 is (hd0,2) and so on.

You see one humble Grub floppy (with only 2 files inside) or Grub CD (with only one file inside) can solve your booting problems for good!