On Sunday 17 July 2005 04:49, Ven. Pandita wrote:

> Dear members
>
> I have disappeared from the group for quite a long time due to
> computer troubles. Now it is my turn to make questions to
> computer experts in the group.
>
> I happened to think that Linux would prolong the life of my
> computer so I have installed Linux (SimplyMepis distro) on it.

Good idea, except..."There are two kinds of users: those who have
lost data, and those who are going to."

> But I can't go without CSCD for my research and it is only for
> Windows. So I installed the latest version of Wine (windows
> emulator) and tried to install CSCD but failed. Since CSCD is
> essential for my work so I tried again to dual boot Linux and
> Windows on my machine. But somehow the Master Boot Record
> failed and both Linux and Windows failed to boot. It was very
> unfortunate for me since I lost about three months' worth of
> research; I have not bothered to properly back up my data.

Repeat after me:
I undertake the Rule of Computing, never to neglect backup.
I undertake the Rule of Computing, never to endanger data.

Or as we would say in Zen, "The System Administrator must care
for data as he would care for his own eyesight." See Dogen
Zenji, Instructions to the Chief Cook, for the original.

There are other Computing Precepts that we can go into another
time.

> With a crashed computer, lost data, and malfunctioning
> wireless networks, I have been forced to disappear for rather
> a long time.

It's too bad you didn't ask us sooner. I would have been able to
help you recover your data and create a new MBR. You start by
booting from a live CD distribution of Linux such as Knoppix,
mounting your hard drive, and copying files to another device.

Or is it too late? Can we still give it a try? If so, please
contact me off-list.

Also, where are you? Do you know if there is a Linux User Group
(LUG) near you? They would be delighted to help, if so. For
example, there is the LKLUG in Sri Lanka, which recently
released a Sinhala Linux distribution.
http://sinhala.linux.lk/

> I have nothing but myself to blame for this mishap, but now my
> question is:
>
> has anyone successfully run CSCD on Linux? How does he/she do
> it?

No, but I'm about to try. I'll post the details if I get it
working.

> I hope someone would kindly answer my question.
>
> with metta
>
> Ven. Pandita

--
Edward Cherlin
Generalist & activist--Linux, languages, literacy and more
"A knot! Oh, do let me help to undo it!"--Alice in Wonderland
http://cherlin.blogspot.com