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Thread: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

    Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    Hi all.

    [I couldn't see a dedicated area for Wubi installs; could a mod move it as necessary?]

    Because my partition table is absolutely screwed (the regular installer sees no partitions, rather a whole, unpartitioned volume...), I need to install Ubuntu via Wubi.

    Inside Windows Vista, I installed Ubuntu 9.10 through Wubi, and was told to restart.

    On restarting, I get an error dialogue saying:

    "No root file system is defined.
    Please correct this from the partitioning menu."

    Any ideas? As I said, I would install the usual way, but the partitioner on the cd doesn't recognise any partitions...

    Thanks,
    -James

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver

    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    I think it is much better to troubleshoot why you can't install in "normal" way. Wubi is a different type of install and plus it seems the same problem about the partition table is present there too.
    You could boot with the ubuntu cd for example, select Try Ubuntu option and it will run from the cd.
    Then you can open Gparted (System-Administration) and see what it shows about your disk and partitions.
    Also, in Terminal (Applications-Accessories) execute:
    sudo fdisk -l (small L)

    that should list all partitions. Copy the results of fdisk here and/or attach screenshot of Gparted, we might figure it out. Using ubuntu like that from the cd will usually give you internet access too so you can post that easily, no rebooting, etc.
    Darko.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 64bit

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    Quote Originally Posted by darkod View Post
    I think it is much better to troubleshoot why you can't install in "normal" way. Wubi is a different type of install and plus it seems the same problem about the partition table is present there too.
    You could boot with the ubuntu cd for example, select Try Ubuntu option and it will run from the cd.
    Then you can open Gparted (System-Administration) and see what it shows about your disk and partitions.
    Also, in Terminal (Applications-Accessories) execute:
    sudo fdisk -l (small L)

    that should list all partitions. Copy the results of fdisk here and/or attach screenshot of Gparted, we might figure it out. Using ubuntu like that from the cd will usually give you internet access too so you can post that easily, no rebooting, etc.
    I'm just waiting for a chkdsk in the hope that might fix something... Will post the fdisk output when it's finished - keep your eyes peeled!

    Thanks,
    -James

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
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    Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    Quote Originally Posted by darkod View Post
    I think it is much better to troubleshoot why you can't install in "normal" way. Wubi is a different type of install and plus it seems the same problem about the partition table is present there too.
    You could boot with the ubuntu cd for example, select Try Ubuntu option and it will run from the cd.
    Then you can open Gparted (System-Administration) and see what it shows about your disk and partitions.
    Also, in Terminal (Applications-Accessories) execute:
    sudo fdisk -l (small L)

    that should list all partitions. Copy the results of fdisk here and/or attach screenshot of Gparted, we might figure it out. Using ubuntu like that from the cd will usually give you internet access too so you can post that easily, no rebooting, etc.
    Ok. The fdisk output is as follows:

    Code:
    Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
    255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
    Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
    Disk identifier: 0x08000000
    
       Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
    /dev/sda1               1          10       80293+   6  FAT16
    /dev/sda2   *          11       19070   153098240    7  HPFS/NTFS
    /dev/sda3           19071       19458     3116610    f  W95 Ext'd (LBA)
    /dev/sda5           19071       19130      481908   82  Linux swap / Solaris
    /dev/sda6           19131       19458     2620416    c  W95 FAT32 (LBA)
    Thanks,
    -James

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    OK.
    /dev/sda1 seems to be some small 80MB FAT16 partition. Maybe some kind of utility partition. Are you using it at all? Sometimes they can make real problem, but you should not delete it unless you're sure you don't need it.
    Otherwise it looks normal. Did vista come preinstalled?
    And do you know what is /dev/sda6, around 2.5GB FAT32? Recovery partition?
    Darko.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 64bit

  6. #6
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    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    Quote Originally Posted by darkod View Post
    OK.
    /dev/sda1 seems to be some small 80MB FAT16 partition. Maybe some kind of utility partition. Are you using it at all? Sometimes they can make real problem, but you should not delete it unless you're sure you don't need it.
    Otherwise it looks normal. Did vista come preinstalled?
    And do you know what is /dev/sda6, around 2.5GB FAT32? Recovery partition?
    The 80MB FAT16 partition does indeed seem to be a utility partition. It has some Dell-related files floating around on it.

    As for the 2.5GB FAT32, it's Dell's built-in "MediaDirect" utility, which, at the press of a button on the case, will boot into some sort of media center.

    According to Wikipedia, it's a fairly common issue: "It is written for Microsoft Windows environments and provides many difficulties for users wishing to install Linux upon their Dell machine." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_MediaDirect)

    Any ideas?

    Thanks,
    -James

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    Hmmm... Get rid of both of them?
    If you are SURE you have no use of them, it's really good practice to delete them. Not to mention you free up some space.
    But deleting the 80MB utility might mess up slightly vista boot, depending how they organized it. You better have vista rescue disc ready if you don't have vista dvd. If you do have, you can restore the boot process with it (IF it breaks down, it don't mean it will).
    http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/window...disc-download/
    Darko.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 64bit

  8. #8
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    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    Ok. I nuked both of those partitions. Vista still boots fine. However, gparted on the Ubuntu installer CD still can't see any of my existing partitions...

    I'll do another fdisk and post it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    Does it show the disk at all, as empty, or not showing it like you have no hdd?
    I've seen caes where there is no drive shown, and booting in Try Ubuntu and in terminal doing:
    sudo apt-get remove dmraid

    helps. Basically if the disk has some remains of raid settings. But I'm not sure this is the case. You can try it anyway, doesn't hurt.
    Darko.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 64bit

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Re: Wubi: No root file system is defined.

    It shows as one whole, unpartitioned, 160GB hard drive.

    I tried the dmraid command. No dice.

    The output of the fdisk:

    Code:
    Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
    255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
    Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
    Disk identifier: 0x08000000
    
       Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
    /dev/sda1   *          11       19070   153098240    7  HPFS/NTFS
    /dev/sda2           19071       19458     3116610    f  W95 Ext'd (LBA)
    /dev/sda5           19071       19130      481908   82  Linux swap / Solaris
    Thanks,
    -James

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