Dual-boot failure on upgrade; testdisk clarification

[Peter Lenny]

I have what is becoming a common problem. From a peaceful, existing dual-boot setup (XP and Ubuntu on separate disks) I upgraded from 9.10 to 10.4 and now cannot boot XP.

OK, for a week I have been trying solutions, but I am definitely a noob.

Following advice from other threads, I got to screen 3 of TestDisk, only to meet:


TestDisk 6.11, Data Recovery Utility, April 2009
Christophe GRENIER <grenier@cgsecurity.org>
http://www.cgsecurity.org

Disk /dev/sda - 320 GB / 298 GiB - ATA ST3320613AS

Hidden sectors are present.

size 625142448 sectors
user_max 625142448 sectors
native_max 4385456 sectors
dco 625142448 sectors
Device Configuration Overlay (DCO) present.


[ Continue ] Continue even if there are hidden data
- which is not the way they said it would be.

Can anyone tell me what's happening and how I might respond?

What other information is needed?

Thanks in advance.

[cosaki]

I have that same screen too... The only option was to continue. Still no luck getting my Windows 7 to boot back up :(

[omalsa04]

I got that screen too.
I just pressed continue, continued as normal and everything worked fine XD

This is the steps I used (in order):
[No Log]
selected /dev/sda (my windows partition is on HD0) [Proceed]
[Continue]
[Intel]
[Advanced]
selected Partition 3 (with the * next to it, this is where my MBR is kept) [BackupBS]
Type "Y"
then press q until testdisk exits

then run "sudo update-grub"
Hope this helps!

[Peter Lenny]

When you say:


then run "sudo update-grub"

- does that mean that, after restoring from the backup XP boot sector, you were then able to boot into Ubuntu or did you run sudo at the Grub screen (i.e. was Grub still working)?

I have hesitated to complete the TestDisk procedure for fear of losing Ubuntu too, despite some great feedback from Christophe GRENIER (below).


> I think Grub has overwritten something on my "Windows disk" (in a
> dual-boot setup): why am I getting a DCO report?

The boot sector of your NTFS partition may be damaged.
In Advanced, select the NTFS partition, choose Boot, BackupBS, confirm,
Quit and reboot

Sometimes the report about DCO was erronous with previous previous.
Can you try using TestDisk 6.12-WIP ?
wget -N http://www.cgsecurity.org/testdisk-6.12-WIP.linux26.tar.bz2
tar xjf testdisk-6.12-WIP.linux26.tar.bz2
cd testdisk-6.12-WIP
sudo ./testdisk_static

[dino99]

mini howto: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=9216264&postcount=14

[Peter Lenny]

Sorry, I just don't understand how this is an answer to my question. When I restore the XP boot sector using TestDisk, I assume I'm going to be able to boot into XP OK, but will my existing Grub installation still work?

[darkod]

Sorry, I just don't understand how this is an answer to my question. When I restore the XP boot sector using TestDisk, I assume I'm going to be able to boot into XP OK, but will my existing Grub installation still work?

Yes, don't worry, grub will still work. Dino just loves that mini how-to which basically tells you how to install ubuntu from scratch but has nothing to do with your problem. So he keeps posting it around. And confusing people. :)

[Peter Lenny]

Finally screwed up courage, ignored the DCO issue and my incomplete data backup, followed Christophe's instructions and it worked just fine!
Seems to have left Ubuntu with a few hiccups, but nothing that a reboot doesn't cure.
Thanks to all involved.

[ManyouRisms]

Hey guys, having the exact same issue, i stumbled upon this thread after searching.

Rather than beat a dead horse, i'll just use his description.

Anyways, same issue, only after trying this with testdisk, and updating grub, the same issue happens.

After referring to http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/bootinfoscript/index.php?title=Boot_Problems:Boot_Sector

I tried running my Windows 7 startup disk, and attempting to use the repair option, It says it isn't the correct disk. Lmao? It's the only i used to install windows 7.

Maybe my issues go deeper, and point to a bad sector?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[oldfred]

Post this:

Boot Info Script courtesy of forum member meierfra
Page with instructions and download:
http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/
Paste results.txt, then highlight entire file and click on # in edit panel(code tags) to make it easier to read.

[ManyouRisms]

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 #1 for /boot/grub.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 48238519 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location.
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

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 10930991 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 /grldr

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 236,075,174 236,075,112 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 * 236,075,175 470,254,679 234,179,505 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 470,254,680 488,392,064 18,137,385 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 470,254,743 488,392,064 18,137,322 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343 ext4
/dev/sda2 141E4A201365DFCD ntfs Win7
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 1b9d5e68-6087-46af-9139-80bc2ff7f09e swap
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
error: /dev/sdb: No medium found
error: /dev/sdc: No medium found
error: /dev/sdd: No medium found
error: /dev/sde: No medium found

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda1 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)


=========================== sda1/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 ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
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 2.6.32-23-generic-pae' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic-pae root=UUID=4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343 ro vga=791 quiet quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic-pae
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic-pae (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-23-generic-pae ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic-pae root=UUID=4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343 ro single vga=791 quiet
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic-pae
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343 ro vga=791 quiet quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-23-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343 ro single vga=791 quiet
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-19-generic-pae' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic-pae root=UUID=4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343 ro vga=791 quiet quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic-pae
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-19-generic-pae (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-19-generic-pae ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic-pae root=UUID=4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343 ro single vga=791 quiet
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic-pae
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/11_Windows ###
menuentry “Windows 7″ {
set root=(hd0,1)
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/11_Windows ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 141e4a201365dfcd
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 ###

=============================== sda1/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/sda1 during installation
UUID=4337295c-f3dc-4bf4-b865-fba64f5c8343 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=1b9d5e68-6087-46af-9139-80bc2ff7f09e none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
none /proc/bus/usb usbfs devgid=127,devmode=664 0 0

=================== sda1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


.5GB: boot/grub/core.img
.5GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
73.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic-pae
24.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
80.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic-pae
3.1GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic-pae
4.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic
71.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic-pae
80.6GB: initrd.img
24.7GB: initrd.img.old
71.0GB: vmlinuz
4.5GB: vmlinuz.old
=======Devices which don't seem to have a corresponding hard drive==============

sdb sdc sdd sde


This definitely confirms grub was installed to sda2 at some point. I just wish testdisk worked, seemed too good to be true. I was reading up a bit on ms-sys but from what i understand, messing with the MBR is sketchy business at best.

Thanks for your prompt reply. Let me know if you see something in "RESULTS" that i don't.

[oldfred]

You do have grub installed to the windows partition boot sector. Testdisk should solve it. If not you need to run the fixboot command from windows.

The only other things to try are chkdsk to make sure it can see the NTFS partition. If chkdsk does not work testdisk has another repair for that.

If Microsoft's Checkdisk (chkdsk) failed to repair the MFT, run TestDisk, also rebuild boot sector
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/Advanced_NTFS_Boot_and_MFT_Repair

Then see if the windows fixboot works.

There is nothing wrong with the grub2 installed in the MBR as it should work to boot Ubuntu. Grub only will boot working windows systems.

Testdisk also has a rebuild function, not sure it works with win7 as the boot sector is different than XPs:
Choose "proceed" on the first screen, then
"intel"
"advanced",
Select the Windows partition (although it should be selected already) and choose
"boot"
"RebuildBS"
"Write"

then press "q" a few times to quit testdisk, reboot and see whether you can boot windows.

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/
Vista will not repair XP (they create the boot sectors differently) but can run chkdsk.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

[amarendra]

But what if I've messed up Windows 7 partition afterr recovering Ubuntu 10.10 partition which is not booting. The error I am getting is "BBOTMGR msissing"



Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Testdisk is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda
=> Syslinux is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdc and looks on the same drive in
partition #7 for (,msdos7)/boot/grub.
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdd and looks on the same drive in
partition #8 for /boot/grub.

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.10
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Fat32
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sdb1 starts
at sector 0. But according to the info from fdisk,
sdb1 starts at sector 62.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sdc1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sdd1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sdd1 and
looks at sector 109460673 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:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders, total 312581808 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda2 73,433,115 230,757,659 157,324,545 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sda5 * 104,904,513 165,132,128 60,227,616 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 63 192,779 192,717 83 Linux


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 8032 MB, 8032092160 bytes
248 heads, 62 sectors/track, 1020 cylinders, total 15687680 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 62 15,683,519 15,683,458 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)


Drive: sdc ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdc: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders, total 312581808 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdc1 63 312,576,704 312,576,642 7 HPFS/NTFS


Drive: sdd ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdd: 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

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdd1 63 976,751,999 976,751,937 7 HPFS/NTFS


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/loop1 1cacbc9e-7185-46a0-96e4-a892c25e15d5 ext3
/dev/sda2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda3 1c5aa9a0-8df5-473a-89cf-b0f45ff0111a ext3 boot-part
/dev/sda5 b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ext4 ubuntu-10.10
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 BC15-545F vfat FAKEER
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdc1 4130DD442010141E ntfs Transcend
/dev/sdc: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdd1 C0EA523FEA523240 ntfs Passport
/dev/sdd: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

aufs / aufs (rw)
/dev/sdb1 /cdrom vfat (rw,relatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=cp437, iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop1 /media/1cacbc9e-7185-46a0-96e4-a892c25e15d5 ext3 (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks)
/dev/sdc1 /media/Transcend fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096,default_ permissions)
/dev/sdd1 /media/Passport fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=512,default_p ermissions)


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

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ "${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 2.6.35-25-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro splash vga=769 quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-25-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-25-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro single splash vga=769
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-24-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro splash vga=769 quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-24-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-24-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro single splash vga=769
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-27-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-27-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro splash vga=769 quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-27-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-27-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-27-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-27-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro single splash vga=769
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-27-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
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 part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d436d96036d943e0
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Arch (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 0b882b2b-ab64-43bf-aa70-d36e659e25ad
linux /boot/vmlinuz26 root=/dev/sda2
initrd /boot/kernel26.img
}
### 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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_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/sda8 during installation
UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda9 during installation
UUID=263b8dcd-7517-4230-bd9d-6ae68ccff794 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


63.4GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
54.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-27-generic
??GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic
79.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic
54.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-27-generic
??GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic
??GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic
79.3GB: initrd.img
??GB: initrd.img.old
??GB: vmlinuz
??GB: vmlinuz.old

=========================== sda3/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ "${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 2.6.35-25-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro splash vga=769 quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-25-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-25-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro single splash vga=769
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-24-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro splash vga=769 quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-24-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-24-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro single splash vga=769
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-27-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-27-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro splash vga=769 quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-27-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-27-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-27-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-27-generic root=UUID=b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7 ro single splash vga=769
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-27-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b44d4a7c-96a5-4c51-9b1a-0a62b0c186b7
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 part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d436d96036d943e0
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Arch (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 0b882b2b-ab64-43bf-aa70-d36e659e25ad
linux /boot/vmlinuz26 root=/dev/sda2
initrd /boot/kernel26.img
}
### 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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

=================== sda3: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-27-generic
.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-24-generic
.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic
.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-27-generic
.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-24-generic
.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic
=========================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc =======================

Unknown BootLoader on sda2

00000000 a4 81 00 00 3d 05 00 00 ee 28 ee 4b ee 28 ee 4b |....=....(.K.(.K|
00000010 39 fd 1d 49 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 08 00 00 00 |9..I............|
00000020 00 00 08 00 01 00 00 00 0a f3 01 00 04 00 00 00 |................|
00000030 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 74 bc 00 00 |............t...|
00000040 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
*
00000060 00 00 00 00 2a d9 11 3f 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |....*..?........|
00000070 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
00000080 1c 00 00 00 94 de d2 3b 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |.......;........|
00000090 ee 28 ee 4b 94 de d2 3b 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |.(.K...;........|
000000a0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
*
00000100 a4 81 00 00 f2 01 00 00 ee 28 ee 4b ee 28 ee 4b |.........(.K.(.K|
00000110 39 fd 1d 49 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 08 00 00 00 |9..I............|
00000120 00 00 08 00 01 00 00 00 0a f3 01 00 04 00 00 00 |................|
00000130 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 75 bc 00 00 |............u...|
00000140 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
*
00000160 00 00 00 00 2b d9 11 3f 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |....+..?........|
00000170 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
00000180 1c 00 00 00 94 de d2 3b 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |.......;........|
00000190 ee 28 ee 4b 94 de d2 3b 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |.(.K...;........|
000001a0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
000001b0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 80 fe |................|
000001c0 ff ff 83 fe ff ff 26 37 e0 01 20 00 97 03 00 00 |......&7.. .....|
000001d0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
*
000001f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa |..............U.|
00000200

[Peter Lenny]

Amarendra,

I'm replying only because your query was addressed to me, but I am certainly not the person to answer.

That is, you are talking to someone who, on his last Ubuntu update/reinstall attempt, managed to overwrite part of his (unbackedup) Windows install. My data were recovered only with expensive professional assistance.

Be afraid!

For the good of all involved, I am unsubscribing from this thread.

Best,
Peter

[oldfred]

Ubuntu's menu says it is trying to boot sda1 Vista, but you show no sda1. But you have space before sda2? Did you in testdisk delete sda1? I would go back into testdisk and see if you can recover a sda1 NTFS partition at the beginning of sda.

Since Ubuntu's menu showed it, it was there when you installed Ubuntu. It may have just needed chkdsk or other minor windows repairs.

Instructions
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/Menu_Analyse

[amarendra]

Ubuntu's menu says it is trying to boot sda1 Vista, but you show no sda1. But you have space before sda2? Did you in testdisk delete sda1? I would go back into testdisk and see if you can recover a sda1 NTFS partition at the beginning of sda.

Since Ubuntu's menu showed it, it was there when you installed Ubuntu. It may have just needed chkdsk or other minor windows repairs.

Instructions
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/Menu_Analyse

Wouldn't, checking for the Lost Windows 7 or the first 101MB (sda1) partition that 7 had created, cause the now found Ubuntu-10.10 (sda5) to go away now? I mean it happened before. Whenever I tried to recover some partition I always got an entirely new partition table. Not that in addition to whatever I already had. Or should I just try it? How about "chkdsk"? I don't have any Windows partition remaining and when I tried to boot form 7 DVD, it started to install straight forward, I just couldn't get repair option to fix MBR.

[oldfred]

If the sda1 overlapped the sda2 extended, they yes it will have to delete one or the other. But they should never overlap, unless you deleted it before you created the new partition. The original partition before you made it smaller will definitely overlap, but you should have a smaller version also to recover.

You have to have a NTFS primary partition with the boot flag for windows to repair or run chkdsk. Windows also does not see Linux partitions. If you have a full install DVD, you can install to a new NTFS primary partition. If it is just a recovery DVD then all it does is reformat drive and make it like the day you purchased it.

[oldfred]

amarendra see this post:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1677734

[amarendra]

amarendra see this post:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1677734
Hey..thanks a lot.. I tried a lot.. But seemed I was not able to get the Windows partition back or resuse the Ubuntu partition as it was. So, what I did was I wiped everything from hard disk after copying /home and reinstalled everything - first Win 7 and then Ubuntu 10.10 on another and created another partition for /home and later put my stuff back. I have bought another external hard disk where I will keep an image of my working system..just in case..

Thank you all.. I could try to recover a lil more but I was really having little or no time after office. Thanks