Problems dual boot, Help!!

**dmodolo** · July 15th, 2011

I have read already few threads related to my problem, but no one was sufficient to solve it.

I had windows 7 in my laptop and I decided to install Ubuntu 11.04.

During the installation I split a big partition of 400gb (which only 100gb used by windows) in 2gb swap and 100gb ext4 for ubuntu. However, the 400gb partition that initially was labeled as 'type' 'ntfs', now doesn't have any type and under the field 'Used' there is written 'unknown'.

There was no way to go back to the previous state and I completed the installation. Since that I haven't been able to boot Windows 7 anymore. In the GNU GRUB, besides the Ubuntu lines, I have 2 new options:
Winfows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda1)
Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda2)

where the command for booting the second one is:

Code:

setparams 'Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda2)'

insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9A .... 4B
chainloader + 1

and if I try to boot it the windows boot manager says: 'Windows failed to start. .... The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible'

Moreover, if I try to boot Winfows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda1) it ends up in Acer eRecovery Management where I can only completely restore system to factory defaults (where all C: drive will be deleted). The other options are not available!!!

The situation of my disk is the following:

Code:

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0748d562

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1            2048    27265023    13631488   27  Unknown
/dev/sda2   *    27265024    27469823      102400    7  HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3        27469824   222782323    97656250   83  Linux
/dev/sda4       222783486   976771071   376993793    5  Extended
/dev/sda5       222783488   226689023     1952768   82  Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6       226691072   976771071   375040000   83  Linux

Please help me!!! I really need to have windows back without loosing any file, and very soon (I need to finish my thesis).

Thank you so much,
Davide

ps. Ubuntu is running properly and I will not have my windows cd for the next 3-4 weeks.

**Ad@m** · July 15th, 2011

/dev/sda1 2048 27265023 13631488 27 Unknown -----> Gone wrong??

It seems your main Windows 7 ntfs partition has gone wrong, unfortunately that can happen when resizing.

In future I recommend backing up important files before you proceed with such an operation.

You can safely try a program called testdisk to make an assessment on the unknown partition although the outcome is not a definitive answer as to the recoverability of the partition.

sudo apt-get install testdisk
sudo testdisk

Quick steps

1. no log
2. select your disk
3. Intel / PC Partition
4. Analyse
5. Do a 'Quick search' on the unknown partition

If a quick search fails you could try a deeper search.

What does test disk report on the unknown partition?

**dmodolo** · July 15th, 2011

ok! I am running it now, but it seems a bit slow. I will write here the results as soon as it finishes.

Anyway... Do you think I will be able to recover my data?

Thanks

**smurphy_it** · July 15th, 2011

If all else fails, boot a live linux CD, hook up an external USB drive (if you have one) and copy the pertinent data to it. Then do a windows 7 system recovery, and put it "back to factory defaults".

At least you'll have your data to put back in.

Just backup your C:\Users folder, and any others off of root which are important. Check your C:\Program Files for any other applications and potential data first.

**dmodolo** · July 15th, 2011

Originally Posted by smurphy_it

If all else fails, boot a live linux CD, hook up an external USB drive (if you have one) and copy the pertinent data to it.

How can a live linux CD access the data that was in windows? And what should I actually do? I can run ubuntu, but I can't mount that partition!

Thanks