ActiveLad
June 8th, 2010, 11:22 PM
I first tried a foray into the world of Ubuntu with v9.X and tried to install dual boot with Windows 7 but experienced such Windows boot instability afterwards that I gave up, thinking perhaps that Win 7 was a bit too new for v9.X (it concerned me at the time that the Grub version with the ISO was a Beta). I have therefore now tried again with v10.04
Hardware Environment
Compaq Presario CQ60 (AMD Turion Dual Core RM-72 2.1Ghz, 4Gb Memory, 250Gb HD)
Software Environment
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Version
Although Win 7 was initially configured to use the entire 250Gb available, and having read about issues with using the Ubuntu installer to resize partitions, I used the Windows Management Console to reduce the partition size and leave 100Gb of Free Space for Ubuntu (the Windows Partition being reduced to 150Gb but still having 120Gb Free). I ran Chkdsk several times to check Win 7 was happy and rebotted each time to check there were no issues. All good so far.
I then booted from the Ubuntu 10.04 CD (having downloaded the 32-Bit ISO (following recommendations not to use the 64-Bit version for regular use) and burned to CD) and ran Ubuntu in "CD-only" mode to check there were no issues. Although slow (obviously), Ubuntu was happy, all the hardware appeared to be functioning correctly and I could connect to the Internet via Wireless fine. As a final check I then shut down Ubuntu, rebooted to Win 7 and Win 7 booted without a problem.
I rebooted from the Ubuntu CD again and ran a straightforward install, allowing Ubuntu to install itself in the available free space (100Gb) and accepting all the defaults. After completion, I rebooted and got the Grub Menu. I chose the default (Ubuntu) and Ubuntu started fine. I then shutdown and rebooted, this time selecting Win 7. After some hesitation, Win 7 started, got as far as "Welcome" and then blue screened with a Fatal System Error. I tried numerous times to restart Win 7 in normal model, safe mode and last known good menu and all Blue Screened.
I then ran the Win 7 Rescue Disk which identified that Win 7 had not started properly but could not suggest a fix. Having experienced with previously with Ubuntu 9.X, I dropped to a command prompt and used Bootrec to rebuld the MBR. I obviously lost Grub, but Win 7 now boots perfectly again.
So my question is why is Ubuntu apparently still unable to install itself properly in a dual boot situation without trashing Win 7? I actually quite like Ubuntu and would like to give it an extended try, but since Win 7 is currently my default OS I can't afford to lose access to it, nor do I have the luxury of an alternative PC to install it on standalone. As far as I can see, it's well known that Windows is "sensitive" to having its MBR messed with, so would have thought the Ubuntu community would have fixed this issue by now? I don't want to knock you guys, but if the install falls at the first hurdle, you'll understand when it doesn't build confidence.
Pete
Hardware Environment
Compaq Presario CQ60 (AMD Turion Dual Core RM-72 2.1Ghz, 4Gb Memory, 250Gb HD)
Software Environment
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Version
Although Win 7 was initially configured to use the entire 250Gb available, and having read about issues with using the Ubuntu installer to resize partitions, I used the Windows Management Console to reduce the partition size and leave 100Gb of Free Space for Ubuntu (the Windows Partition being reduced to 150Gb but still having 120Gb Free). I ran Chkdsk several times to check Win 7 was happy and rebotted each time to check there were no issues. All good so far.
I then booted from the Ubuntu 10.04 CD (having downloaded the 32-Bit ISO (following recommendations not to use the 64-Bit version for regular use) and burned to CD) and ran Ubuntu in "CD-only" mode to check there were no issues. Although slow (obviously), Ubuntu was happy, all the hardware appeared to be functioning correctly and I could connect to the Internet via Wireless fine. As a final check I then shut down Ubuntu, rebooted to Win 7 and Win 7 booted without a problem.
I rebooted from the Ubuntu CD again and ran a straightforward install, allowing Ubuntu to install itself in the available free space (100Gb) and accepting all the defaults. After completion, I rebooted and got the Grub Menu. I chose the default (Ubuntu) and Ubuntu started fine. I then shutdown and rebooted, this time selecting Win 7. After some hesitation, Win 7 started, got as far as "Welcome" and then blue screened with a Fatal System Error. I tried numerous times to restart Win 7 in normal model, safe mode and last known good menu and all Blue Screened.
I then ran the Win 7 Rescue Disk which identified that Win 7 had not started properly but could not suggest a fix. Having experienced with previously with Ubuntu 9.X, I dropped to a command prompt and used Bootrec to rebuld the MBR. I obviously lost Grub, but Win 7 now boots perfectly again.
So my question is why is Ubuntu apparently still unable to install itself properly in a dual boot situation without trashing Win 7? I actually quite like Ubuntu and would like to give it an extended try, but since Win 7 is currently my default OS I can't afford to lose access to it, nor do I have the luxury of an alternative PC to install it on standalone. As far as I can see, it's well known that Windows is "sensitive" to having its MBR messed with, so would have thought the Ubuntu community would have fixed this issue by now? I don't want to knock you guys, but if the install falls at the first hurdle, you'll understand when it doesn't build confidence.
Pete