Dual boot problem - no windows menuentry

**phobucket** · December 7th, 2009

Good Morning, Ubuntu Community.

I am a complete novice at Ubuntu (and haven't seen linux since 2001,...and that was FreeBSD). Anyway, I tried to create a dual boot of Ubuntu 9.10 and Windows Vista (32bit), and Ubuntu opens and runs (and I like it), but I get no boot option of choosing Vista. It always boots straight into Ubuntu. I think the problem is that I have no menuentry for Windows, but I'm not sure. The upside of this situation is that I have gotten much more comfortable in the terminal window over the last 2 days

, but unfortunately it is Monday and soon I will have to get back to work

The following things have been tried based on searching other threads in the forum:
sudo fdisk -l

I can see that the NTFS partitions still exist (on sda1)

setting GRUB_DEFAULT="Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda1)"

installing os-prober

I can see that it is installed, but the 30_os_prober file looks more complicated than I expected. I have not edited that file.

editing 40_custom

added:
menuentry "Windows Vista (loader)" {
set root=(hd0,1)
chainloader +1
}

After each of these, the results of update-grub or update-grub2 do not show and Windows entry.

Finally, I have ran boot_info_script*.sh and have pasted the results below.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ben

Code:

============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================

 => Grub 1.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive 
    in partition #5 for /boot/grub.

sda1: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       
    Boot sector type:  Unknown
    Boot sector info:  
    Mounting failed:
mount: unknown filesystem type ''

sda2: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       
    Boot sector type:  Unknown
    Boot sector info:  
    Mounting failed:
mount: unknown filesystem type ''

sda3: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       Extended Partition
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  

sda5: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  Ubuntu 9.10
    Boot files/dirs:   /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda6: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       swap
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  

=========================== Drive/Partition Info: =============================

Drive: sda ___________________ _____________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 320.1 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x41d3c0b8

Partition  Boot         Start           End          Size  Id System

/dev/sda1    *             63   526,957,286   526,957,224   7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2         589,810,410   625,137,344    35,326,935   7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3         526,964,130   589,810,409    62,846,280   5 Extended
/dev/sda5         526,964,193   587,127,554    60,163,362  83 Linux
/dev/sda6         587,127,618   589,810,409     2,682,792  82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: ____________________________________________________________

/dev/sda5: UUID="d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14" TYPE="ext4" 
/dev/sda6: UUID="38e2f051-a413-4b71-a716-410be17be843" TYPE="swap" 

=============================== "mount" output: ===============================

/dev/sda5 on / type ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
proc on /proc type proc (rw)
none on /sys type sysfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
none on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
none on /sys/kernel/debug type debugfs (rw)
none on /sys/kernel/security type securityfs (rw)
udev on /dev type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
none on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,noexec,nosuid,gid=5,mode=0620)
none on /dev/shm type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
none on /var/run type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
none on /var/lock type tmpfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
none on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
binfmt_misc on /proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc type binfmt_misc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
gvfs-fuse-daemon on /home/xxxxxxx/.gvfs type fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon (rw,nosuid,nodev,user=xxxxxxx)


=========================== sda5/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s /boot/grub/grubenv ]; then
  have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
set default="Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda1)"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
  saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
  save_env saved_entry
  prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
fi
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
  set gfxmode=640x480
  insmod gfxterm
  insmod vbe
  if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
    # For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
    # understand terminal_output
    terminal gfxterm
  fi
fi
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/white
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
    set quiet=1
    insmod ext2
    set root=(hd0,5)
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14 ro   quiet splash
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
    insmod ext2
    set root=(hd0,5)
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14 ro single 
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
if [ ${timeout} != -1 ]; then
  if keystatus; then
    if keystatus --shift; then
      set timeout=-1
    else
      set timeout=0
    fi
  else
    if sleep --interruptible 3 ; then
      set timeout=0
    fi
  fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.

menuentry "Windows Vista (loader)" {
    set root=(hd0,1)
    chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

=============================== sda5/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point>   <type>  <options>       <dump>  <pass>
proc            /proc           proc    defaults        0       0
# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14 /               ext4    errors=remount-ro 0       1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=38e2f051-a413-4b71-a716-410be17be843 none            swap    sw              0       0
/dev/scd0       /media/cdrom0   udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0       0

=================== sda5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


 269.8GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
 269.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
 269.8GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
 269.8GB: initrd.img
 269.8GB: vmlinuz
=========================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc =======================

Unknown BootLoader  on sda1

00000000  7a 31 a7 2f 0d 6a b4 6a  9c ea b1 3f a1 9d 99 48  |z1./.j.j...?...H|
...
00000200

Unknown BootLoader  on sda2

00000000  59 f5 61 26 86 c5 63 76  78 52 f3 00 38 b7 d4 a3  |Y.a&..cvxR..8...|
...
00000200

**stingrayl** · December 7th, 2009

This is the only bad part of my beautiful new ubuntu.

I completly hated the GRUB 2, it's really hard to handle and make changes.
It add 1000 files to a system that used something like 10.

I unistalled my Windows XP to install Ubuntu on top, ended without my Windows 7 partition.

I will have to install windows 7 again and start over.

I think I deleted the Windows 7 startup gizmo with Windows XP since windows XP was the "MAIN" partition.

Go back to GRUB 1 and this is an easy fix.

**ST3ALTHPSYCH0** · December 7th, 2009

If you would rather have legacy grub, there are plenty of tutorials to revert.

**phobucket** · December 7th, 2009

OK. I followed these instructions on reverting to grub legacy: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Gr...ing%20GRUB%202

and added an entry for Windows Vista

Code:

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

but I still see no options to load windows.

how can I check to make sure that the system is using the right version of grub?

**phobucket** · December 7th, 2009

also, it looks like the system is not mounting sda1 or sda2. To add another layer of complexity, could this be cause by having PGP whole disk encryption (for which I have to enter a password before Windows boots)?

**blegs38552** · December 7th, 2009

To get your Windows back (and probably lose Ubuntu access), you need to repair your boot sector. I don't have all of the details here, but I suugest that you Google "BCDEdit". Ypu will have to boot into Windows Recovery mode from your Vista DVD, access the command line, and run bootrec.exe along with the correct swith (type bootrec.exe /? for a list of all options). This will rebuild your boot sector, but you will no longer see the Ubuntu grub 2 menu.

If you still want Ubuntu afterwards, You can reinstall it (hope your data is backed up first, just in case)and hopefully get better results next time.

**phobucket** · December 7th, 2009

ok...searching down the path of the unmounted partitions....
I was unable to mount the drives using the mount command, so I installed ntfsprogs to try and fix the disk, but that errored out.
I realized that I had a copy of the drive and the recovery disk on my mediasmart server, but HP does not offer a windows version of its server app, so I'm thinking that maybe I should install wine to run this software?

Getting pretty hairy at this point. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

edit:
Blegs,
Thanks for the tip.
I do have a full backup. I'm using another computer to burn the recovery cd, at least so I can boot up.

**anchorschmidt** · December 7th, 2009

Can you open your menu list

Code:

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

and paste what you have here?

**phobucket** · December 7th, 2009

Originally Posted by anchorschmidt

Can you open your menu list

Code:

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

and paste what you have here?

sure:

Code:

# 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        3

## 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=d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14

## 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

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
##      indomU=true
##      indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## 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 9.10, kernel 2.6.31-14-generic
uuid        d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14
kernel        /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14 ro quiet splash 
initrd        /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
quiet

title        Ubuntu 9.10, kernel 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)
uuid        d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14
kernel        /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14 ro  single
initrd        /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic

title        Chainload into GRUB 2
root        d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14
kernel        /boot/grub/core.img

title        Ubuntu 9.10, memtest86+
uuid        d76c7b1e-aae1-4efb-bbbf-e37d50425f14
kernel        /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

## this entry added to make vista the default loader
# on /dev/sda1

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