No Vista after 2nd Xubuntu install

Asked by Scott Price

I have read so many experiences from other people with this same problem, but the fixes just don't seem to work for me. I had been running a dual boot with Vista Home (already loaded) on my HP Slimline PC. It worked just fine, until I started getting X-Server errors on boot-up into Xubuntu. I should have looked for a fix for that, but I got so frustrated that I just re-installed Xubuntu. The install found Vista/Longhorn, but it was the Recovery partition that it found, and left out the main Vista partition. It's still there, but won't boot to it, and won't even show it on the desktop. It's in the /media folder as "sda1", but won't let me access it. I've gone back and put the "boot" flag back to this partition, reloaded the grub, and even hid the Recovery partition, but still no Vista. I'm afraid if I use DOS's FDISK/MBR, it will wipe out Xubuntu. This is what my FDISK /l looks like:

Disk /dev/sda: 320 GB, 320070320640 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 28071 225480276 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 28072 37078 72340695 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 37079 37765 5510295 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 37079 37765 5510295 82 Linux swap
/dev/sda3 37766 38913 9213277 1c Hidd FAT32 LBA
Warning: Unable to open /dev/scd0 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/scd0 has been opened read-only.
Error: Unable to open /dev/scd0 - unrecognised disk label.

(By the way, the CD it's referring to is the Xubuntu 7.10 install Alternative AMD 64)

My GRUB looks like this:

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=e412f397-8062-410e-9b14-53e45210beda ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,1)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=e412f397-8062-410e-9b14-53e45210beda ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=e412f397-8062-410e-9b14-53e45210beda ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic

title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

I had manually changed the "automatically added" from sda3 to sda1, and changed the root from (hd0,2) to (hd0,0).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.
Scott Price

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Revision history for this message
Vojtěch Trefný (vojtech.trefny) said :
#1

"I've gone back and put the "boot" flag back to this partition, reloaded the grub, and even hid the Recovery partition, but still no Vista."

→ What do you mean by "no Vista" - there is no "Vista" choise in the menu, or yes, but don't boot it Vista?

Revision history for this message
Scott Price (scottpricepdx-gmail) said :
#2

The choice is there, but it only flashes "GRUB", then back to the menu.

Revision history for this message
Vojtěch Trefný (vojtech.trefny) said :
#3

I'm not sure if is it mistake, but try to delete line "savedefault" in your /boot/grub/menu.lst (the part with Vista). It should be only:

title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,0)
makeactive
chainloader +1

Revision history for this message
williamts99 (williamts99) said :
#4

Scott,

You may also want to have a look at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RecoveringUbuntuAfterInstallingWindows

Best Regards,
Williamts99

Revision history for this message
Scott Price (scottpricepdx-gmail) said :
#5

Vojtec - I took the "save default" out of the menu.lst, and moved the Vista menu option to the top of the list. Still I get "Starting up..." on one line, "GRUB" on the next, then it goes back to the menu.

I also went into grub, found out that my stage1 is on (hd0,1), so I typed (in root GRUB)

root (hd0,1)
setup (hd0)

Then I rebooted, same thing.

I downloaded the "supergrub" disk, so I think I'll try the DOS FDISK/MBR and take my chances. If I don't get back right away, you'll know that didn't work.;-(

Revision history for this message
Scott Price (scottpricepdx-gmail) said :
#6

Well, I tried going into the Recovery option on an XP setup disk, tried the "FIXBOOT" and "FIXMBR" options, now I have a bunch of jibberish where my first partition had Vista. It still says that it's an NTFS and that it's 230 GB, but it says "unformatted". It is accessible from the desktop now, but there's nothing legible there. I think I've lost my Vista.

Revision history for this message
williamts99 (williamts99) said :
#7

Scott,

I am sure that the Recovery option on the XP disk is different than the Recovery option on the Vista disk and would not work as desired. To use that method you would have to use the Visa DVD. I have only used Vista briefly and do not own a copy and refuse to purchase one, so I can't test this myself. If you don't have a Vista disk, maybe try the recovery options in the link I mentioned above, but using the liveCD options.

How did it go with the super grub disk?
When you boot into Ubuntu, can you see your Vista partition via the Partition Editor?

Best Regards,
Williamts99

Revision history for this message
Scott Price (scottpricepdx-gmail) said :
#8

The Vista disk doesn't give any options, just back to original install. One more reason to dump MS, not to mention the fact that they could fix this in a heartbeat for the cost of two arms and one leg.

I wish I would have known all that SG to do, or I would not have bothered with the XP disk. I got back here through SG. I can see the volume on the desktop, but now when I try fdisk/l, I get this:

Error: Could not stat device /l - No such file or directory.
   r Retry
   c Cancel
c
Unable to open /l

What's up with THAT?

Revision history for this message
williamts99 (williamts99) said :
#9

Scott,

I feel your pain, it always seems that MS makes things difficult on purpose. But that is a whole other topic :-)

You may want to try a program like TestDisk to repair the partition, or at least recover any files that you need from there.

Best Regards,
Williamts99

Revision history for this message
Scott Price (scottpricepdx-gmail) said :
#10

Thanks for the info Williamts99, I tried TestDisk and got this:

Disk /dev/sda - 320 GB / 298 GiB - CHS 38913 255 63

     Partition Start End Size in sectors
 1 * HPFS - NTFS 0 1 1 28070 226 28 450958753
 2 P Linux 28071 0 1 37077 254 63 144697455 [Gutsy]
 4 E extended 37078 0 1 37764 254 63 11036655
 5 L Linux Swap 37078 1 1 37764 254 63 11036592
 3 P hid. FAT32 LBA 37765 165 1 38912 239 63 18431280

It says theres a bad NTFS boot sector, and the backup is bad, too. There's 16 MB in the first part of the partition that says it's FAT12. I think that's the NT Leader, but I have no idea how to fix it. Maybe I can write to the guy who wrote this program & ask him? I know there's got to be a way to get this back.

Revision history for this message
Scott Price (scottpricepdx-gmail) said :
#11

Well, I did write the guy, Christophe Grenier. He showed me what to do, and I got my Vista back., ALL of it.. TestDisk re-wrote the NTFS Boot Sector, then Vista Recovery did the rest. Thank you guys for all of your assistance. It is greatly appreciated.

--Scott Price

Revision history for this message
williamts99 (williamts99) said :
#12

Scott,

Glad to hear that you got it working, is it possible to document the steps taken here so that others can benefit from your experience?

Best Regards,
Williamts99

Revision history for this message
Scott Price (scottpricepdx-gmail) said :
#13

Sure, here are the steps:

1. Make sure you have the latest TestDisk (from Synaptics Package Manager).

2. Go to a FULL SCREEN terminal.

3. type: sudo testdisk, type your password, then you'll get a menu.

4. Choose the HD to test.

5. Choose the 1st option, ANALYZE. You'll get an analysis of the hard drive
you choose.It may take a while, DON'T INTERRUPT.

6. Highlight the partition you want to fix, then choose ADVANCED.

7. Choose REBUILD NTFS BOOT RECORD.

8. Choose LIST, then you should see your files. If you do, choose WRITE. If
not, write to <email address hidden>, the author of TestDisk.

9. Choose QUIT, then boot with the Vista Recovery disk.

If all went well, Vista Recovery disk will take it from there. If you want
different scenarios, try TestDisk
Step-by-Step<http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step>

I hope this helps someone else!

On Feb 11, 2008 1:36 PM, williamts99 <email address hidden>
wrote:

> Your question #23877 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/23877
>
> williamts99 posted a new comment:
> Scott,
>
> Glad to hear that you got it working, is it possible to document the
> steps taken here so that others can benefit from your experience?
>
> Best Regards,
> Williamts99
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Scott Price (scottpricepdx-gmail) said :
#14

Sorry, I replied to the email instead of coming here to answer. I see my reply made it here, though.

Thanks again!
--Scott Price