Windows will not boot after installing Linux on HP dv7t

[stokk]

I installed Ubuntu on a 150 GB partition that I created on my HDD that also runs Winodws 7...  When I try to boot WIndows 7 from the boot menu I see "Starting Windows" for a few seconds then the blue screen flashes before a reboot.  When I run the disk utility in Ubuntu I see 4 partitions:

1.  Unknown - 1 MB

2.  System - 209 MB - NTFS

3.  The C:\ - 513 GB - NTFS

4.  Linux - 237 GB - ext3

I can select the C:\ partitiion and see all the programs I would see when browsing from Windows.

I have a PC with Windows 7 Home Premium so I attempted to just format and reinstall without the HP tools but the Windows installer doesn't recognize an existing HDD to install to... I've tried downloading the intel rapid storage drivers and loading them manually, but that doesn't work either...

Your thoughts?

[Dragon-Fur]

Stokk,

Grub is messed up? 

Going to system partition instead of C:\ partition for booting??

Go into Grub directory to file menu.lst and check target partition.

Disk Order must be correct.

For example (this works)

    rootnoverify (hd0,0)
    chainloader +1

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Experts work hard to help!

Click the Kudos Star on the Left as "Thanks for the Help!"

Mark this Post “Accept as Solution” to accept a Fix or Workaround to an issue!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: You can find “Accept as Solution” boxes on Subjects started by you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember:  The more information you provide, the better help you receive.

Always Include:  (Notebook) Product Number , Printers – Model Number ,

                   Operating System, and an Error Description

                        Never give out your Serial Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           2012 Year of the Dragon!

[stokk]

I'm not sure what the problem is... I looked into the Grub settings and it lists the Windows 7 partition on sda2 and the WIndows 7 Recovery partition on sda3 when the ~530 GB partition with all the Windows files is sda3.  I modified the grub.cfg (/boot/grub/grub.cfg) and added a modified version of the command you suggested (I typed what you typed but it gave me a 'command does not exist' since I am running Grub2).... I tried the following 3 commands.

set root='(hd0,1)'

chainloader +1

set root='(hd0,2)'

chainloader +1

set root='(hd0,3)'

chainloader +1

I've attached the os probe portion of the grub.cfg file below.

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" --class windows --class os {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ntfs
    set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 3C8CF97C8CF9314E
    chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda3)" --class windows --class os {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ntfs
    set root='(hd0,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 760CB2E70CB2A213
    drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
    chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

[Dragon-Fur]

Stokk,

Ouch... I don't know Grub2...

I do think you need the

set root='(hd0,0)'

I think it is just going to the wrong partition.

Rats. 

[stokk]

Yeah, when I point to the partition that has the Windows 7 file system it tries to load the recovery console...

I am okay with losing all the data on the harddrive as long as I can install Windows 7 with the disk I have for my PC... I was planning on using the license that came with the laptop since the one I bought is the same version that is loaded on the laptop, but the installer doesn't detect a harddrive after loading the windows files

[Dragon-Fur]

Stokk,

I think Windows is OK.

I understand Grub2 somewhat now.  I've scanned some information on it and I can see how the scripting works in the startup.  No expert yet, but I have read some of the data on it.  Smiling.

Take a look here and the /etc/default/grub section of this document.  See if this applies to what you are doing with your prober setup.  See the part on "Note to multiple-OS users", too.

ubuntu Documentation - Grub to Grub2

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If all else fails, and you have mangled your Grub2 scripts beyong repair, then you might try reinstalling the Ubuntu and reconfiguring the Grub2 setup. 

If you cannot get Grub2 to work at all...

IF Ubuntu would allow you to backload the Grub setup, Grub (1) is much simpler to use and should provide the dual boot you need. 

Reinstall Ubuntu in the following way:

Use Grub and not Grub 2 (if given a choice)

Make sure Grub is installed on the MBR (and not a partition)

IF using Grub(1), then Use the parameters, assuring the second “0” after the comma.

rootnoverify (hd0,0)

    chainloader +1

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope this helps!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Experts work hard to help!

Whenever you Find a Useful or Helpful Post --

Click the Kudos Star on the Left to say "Thanks!"

Mark this Post “Accept as Solution” to accept a Fix or Workaround to an issue!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: You can find “Accept as Solution” boxes on Subjects started by you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember:  The more information you provide, the better help you receive.

Always Include:  (Notebook) Product Number , Printers – Model Number ,

                   Operating System, and an Error Description

                        Never give out your Serial Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           2012 Year of the Dragon!

[pepe999]

Hi, I had problems with Ubuntu myself so I have stopped using it long time ago. It looks like Grub messed up partitions. Could you paste the exact output of "fdisk -l" command, please? I suggest to connect the hdd as an external drive (use a 2.5" caddy) and then repair the system using a Windows installation disk. I would also recommend to partition the hdd before installing any linux. There is a guide how to in this section (dual boot os)..

[Dragon-Fur]

Thanks, PePe999 - good to see you.

No one here uses Ubuntu, either.

How about Mint Linux?  This is a fork of ubuntu - same repository set as ubuntu from what I hear, so one could use the ubuntu sets.

Grub2 ugly or is it just me?   Smiling...

[pepe999]

Hi Dragon, Yes, I would pick Mint instead of Ubuntu as well. Ubuntu has a good promotion but the system is getting worse or it's my personal opinion. You are right these systems use the same repos so it's just a matter of the desktop appearance. I think that Mint has a better hardware support..

[Dragon-Fur]

Thanks, PePe999.

We will see what Stokk does with the information.