Grub2 finds windows 7 but won't boot

[Micano]

Hey

About a week ago I installed Ubuntu 9.10 in dual boot with Windows 7. That worked fine, and I could load either one with grub. But yesterday I decided to try the 10.04 beta, so I upgraded, and now Grub2 will find Windows 7, but when I enter to boot with that, I just get a blank screen, and nothing will happen unless I turn off my laptop. Ubuntu works fine to boot.



Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #4 for /boot/grub.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 596619582 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /boot/bcd

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 596494494 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows 7
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /Boot/BCD /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda5 and
looks at sector 596493334 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda4: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub
Boot sector info: Grub 0.97 is installed in the boot sector of sda4 and
looks at sector 596627558 of the same hard drive for
the stage2 file. A stage2 file is at this location on
/dev/sda. Stage2 looks on partition #4 for
/boot/grub/menu.lst.
Operating System: Ubuntu lucid (development
branch)
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab
/boot/grub/core.img

=========================== 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
Sector size (logical / optimal IO): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 2,048 30,715,903 30,713,856 1c Hidden W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda2 * 30,715,904 343,290,936 312,575,033 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 343,292,985 595,786,589 252,493,605 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sda5 343,293,048 595,777,216 252,484,169 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda4 595,786,590 625,137,344 29,350,755 83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 3C98-AC5D vfat RECOVERY
/dev/sda2 D0DAAFB9DAAF9A6C ntfs OS
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda4 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ext4
/dev/sda5 5B8601CA50A3FA07 ntfs DATA
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

============================ "mount | grep ^/dev output: ===========================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda4 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sda5 /media/DATA fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096)
/dev/sda2 /media/OS fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096)


=========================== sda4/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

# 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-legacy-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=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90

## 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 lucid (development branch), kernel 2.6.32-15-generic-pae
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic-pae root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic-pae
quiet

title Ubuntu lucid (development branch), kernel 2.6.32-15-generic-pae (recovery mode)
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic-pae root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic-pae

title Ubuntu lucid (development branch), kernel 2.6.32-15-generic
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu lucid (development branch), kernel 2.6.32-15-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic

title Chainload into GRUB 2
root 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/grub/core.img

title Ubuntu lucid (development branch), memtest86+
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

=========================== sda4/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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,4)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,4)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=
insmod gettext
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/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-15-generic-pae" {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,4)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic-pae root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-15-generic-pae (recovery mode)" {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,4)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
echo Loading Linux 2.6.32-15-generic-pae ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic-pae root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro single
echo Loading initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-15-generic" {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,4)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-15-generic (recovery mode)" {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,4)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
echo Loading Linux 2.6.32-15-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro single
echo Loading initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,4)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,4)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod fat
set root=(hd0,1)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 3c98-ac5d
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod ntfs
set root=(hd0,2)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d0daafb9daaf9a6c
chainloader +1
}
### 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.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

=============================== sda4/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# -- This file has been automaticly generated by ntfs-config --
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>

proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# Entry for /dev/sda4 :
UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
/dev/sda2 /media/OS ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_US.UTF-8 0 0
/dev/sda5 /media/DATA ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_US.UTF-8 0 0
/mnt/2048mb.swap none swap sw 0 0

=================== sda4: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


305.4GB: boot/grub/core.img
305.6GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
312.7GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
305.4GB: boot/grub/stage2
316.1GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic
316.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic-pae
317.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic
317.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic-pae
316.3GB: initrd.img
316.1GB: initrd.img.old
317.6GB: vmlinuz
317.5GB: vmlinuz.old
Here's what I get from running sudo update-grub


Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic-pae
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic
Found GRUB 2: /boot/grub/core.img
Found kernel: /boot/memtest86+.bin


# 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-legacy-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=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90

## 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 lucid (development branch), kernel 2.6.32-15-generic-pae
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic-pae root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic-pae
quiet

title Ubuntu lucid (development branch), kernel 2.6.32-15-generic-pae (recovery mode)
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic-pae root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic-pae

title Ubuntu lucid (development branch), kernel 2.6.32-15-generic
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu lucid (development branch), kernel 2.6.32-15-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-15-generic root=UUID=6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-15-generic

title Chainload into GRUB 2
root 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/grub/core.img

title Ubuntu lucid (development branch), memtest86+
uuid 6d1bba2b-6872-4846-9823-9dc8dc061d90
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

[oldfred]

I chainboot a few things but I only put grub in a few partitions.

You seem to have installed grub or grub2 into just about every partition. Your windows will not boot since you have grub in its boot sector or partition boot record. You will have to run windows repairs to fix that.

I am not sure if you are booting directly or chainboot into sda4? Having both old grub and new grub in the same partition often leads to issues.

Lets repair win7 first. Use your win7 disk but do not run fixboot unless you want to test direct booting of win7, if you do that you will have to reinstall grub to the MBR. At this point I am not sure which grub you restall. I have to review some more.

Vista or 7 repair
Always run chkdsk and run again until there are no errors, that may be all that is required
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392
Repair often does not work, some say run 3 times others recommend the command line bootrec.exe

You will need to boot with your Vista/Windows 7 installation disk. Hit Enter at the language selection prompt then hit "R" to get to the repair section. You can then select the automatic boot repair tool, but it often will not do any good. Then select the command prompt (console) and type in the following commands:
BootRec.exe /fixmbr #updates MBR master boot record do not run if you still want grub
BootRec.exe /FixBoot #updates PBR partition boot
BootRec.exe /ScanOs
BootRec.exe /RebuildBcd

If your PC did not come with a complete Vista or Win7 installation CD, you can download a Recovery Disc at the following links:
Windows Vista/7 Recovery Disc - for repairs only
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
http://neosmart.net/blog/2009/windows-7-system-repair-discs/

[meierfra.]

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 596494494 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows 7
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /Boot/BCD /Windows/System32/winload.exe

You installed Grub to the boot sector of the Windows 7 partition. That erased some of the code necessary to "Window 7".

I suggest to use "testdisk" to restore the boot sector from the backup:


sudo apt-get install testdisk
(if apt-get cannot find the "testdisk" you need to enable the "universe" repository in "System->Administration->Software Sources" and run "sudo apt--get update" )


sudo testdisk /dev/sda

At the first press "enter" to "proceed".
At the next screen: "intel"
"advanced",
Select the Windows partition /dev/sda2 and choose "boot"
"BackupBS"
type "Y" to confirm

The press "q" a few times to quit testdisk.

Reboot and see whether you can boot into Window 7.


Edit: There is nothing wrong with your MBR, file system or BCD. So running all whose commands suggested by oldfred is unnecessary.

If you want, you can use "bootrec /fixboot" from the Window 7 CD in place of Testdisk to fix the boot sector.

[Micano]

You installed Grub to the boot sector of the Windows 7 partition. That erased some of the code necessary to "Window 7".

I suggest to use "testdisk" to restore the boot sector from the backup:


sudo apt-get install testdisk
(if apt-get cannot find the "testdisk" you need to enable the "universe" repository in "System->Administration->Software Sources" and run "sudo apt--get update" )


sudo testdisk /dev/sda

At the first press "enter" to "proceed".
At the next screen: "intel"
"advanced",
Select the Windows partition /dev/sda2 and choose "boot"
"BackupBS"
type "Y" to confirm

The press "q" a few times to quit testdisk.

Reboot and see whether you can boot into Window 7.


Edit: There is nothing wrong with your MBR, file system or BCD. So running all whose commands suggested by oldfred is unnecessary.

If you want, you can use "bootrec /fixboot" from the Window 7 CD in place of Testdisk to fix the boot sector.

Thank you so much, meierfra.! It worked. Now is there anything else I have to do? Since grub seems to be installed in every partition or what oldfred was saying. And thanks oldfred as well for the fast replies. Amazingly fast answers. Thanks once again!

[oldfred]

Having all the grubs installed is not a problem as it is in space at the beginning of a partition that is not otherwise used. I do not know a way to uninstall, just to install. As long as your system boots ok then you should be fine.
I would review why you have added so many grubs during your install processes to see when & where it is required and not just automatically install it.

[Micano]

Having all the grubs installed is not a problem as it is in space at the beginning of a partition that is not otherwise used. I do not know a way to uninstall, just to install. As long as your system boots ok then you should be fine.
I would review why you have added so many grubs during your install processes to see when & where it is required and not just automatically install it.

Okay thanks. I do not know either, really strange how it happened. All I did was to install Ubuntu 9.10, and then upgrade to 10.04. Well as long as it works I guess. Thanks guys!

[zoso375]

Just wanted to say I had this same problem, and testdisk worked like a charm, so thanks for the fix! The problem repeats itself, though, on every update of Lucid. I have this solution bookmarked to run every time I update. Any ideas on a permanent fix?

[oldfred]

I have run this in Karmic just to see what it does, but I do not know about lucid yet. Did you originally install to the partition? This supposedly resets the default location that is stored.

sudo dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc

These were related comments from another thread where someone did this:
I ran dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc and deselected /dev/sda which meant that the values field for grub-pc/install_devices in /var/cache/debconf/config.dat is now empty. Then nothing is written to the MBR or the boot sector when grub-pc gets updated. Occasionally I should probably rerun manually grub-install /dev/sda after grub-pc package updates to keep stage1 install in sync.

meierfra has also created a web page with the procedure on using testdisk to repair:
Restore PBR boot sector for windows from linux using testdisk
http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/bootinfoscript/index.php?title=Boot_Problems:Boot_Sector

[frmdstryr]

Worked!!!

I had just updated from ubuntu 9.10 to 10.04 on my 64 bit box. The grub listed windows but I got the

no module name found
press any key to continue

message. Ubuntu still booted so i ran this and then it fixed the boot error! Thanks.

[RoyaleTee]

Thanks meierfra. ! Totally worked. Thought I was going to drive myself crazy trying to figure that out. Great fix :)

[bgmomof2]

I've been struggling with a similar problem with Win XP. Will I be able to use the same process explained? Or can anyone point me to the necessary fix?

[oldfred]

meierfra. explained it in his posts above and then he created a page that we have recommended to hundreds on this site to use to fix grub installed to the windows partition. I posted link above but here it is again:

Fix for most, a few have other issues, better than windows fix in many cases as it also fixes other parameters:
This has instructions on using testdisk to repair the install of grub to the boot sector for windows from Ubuntu or Linux LiveCD.
http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/bootinfoscript/index.php?title=Boot_Problems:Boot_Sector

[bgmomof2]

Thanks so much oldfred~! I needed the assurance that the fix described would work for WinXP also. It did in fact work. :p