Originally, it seemed easy
Sometimes I should have my hands encased in big fluffy mittens that would keep me from doing stupid things. I’m sure they’re available wherever fine hand covers are sold, and I firmly resolve to go shopping for a pair at the next available occasion. Tonight, I will try to undo what every good computer user does eventually. You see, I too scrap software systems.
Originally, it seemed easy. Several days ago, on the neverending quest for wireless under Linux on my faithful laptop, I erased Slackware and installed a brand new download of Kubuntu. Desktop preferences and all that… except that after the usual round of updates and configuration mods, the wireless thing was still eluding my grasp. I pondered, and this evening I decided to replace the K with Ubuntu. No big deal; just wipe out the two partitions involved and start the fifteen minutes to a new install.
Somewhere between two Idol performances, the CD glitched and my install failed, taking with it the boot sector which had gone from Lilo to Grub without warning. I’m still a bit of a newb, and my attempts to “fix” things instead managed to “nix” things (nothing to do with *nix). My laptop was now in a state of very altered consciousness.
By happy coincidence I had taken a full backup of the two partitions of Win XP just two days ago. My 60 Gigs of stuff is safe, on an external drive, of absolutely no use to me for tomorrow morning. I’m now in the midst of a reinstall at a time when I’d normally be trying to get to sleep. There are many hours to go before I find my pillow, and I’m still optimistic that I can put some order back in things. Please, don’t burst my bubble just yet. You see, as a trained professional, I do try things like this at home, and they sometimes go very, very wrong. Be warned.
