Vista boot loader missing after ubuntu 10.10 installation

[scambione]

Hello, I have just installed ubuntu with a USB key, I have Vista installed in drive C: and I created a partition (L: ) and installed Linux root (/ ) in that one.

When there was the screen where I could choose the boot loader i left the default option instead of choosing Windows Vista Loader
and now I can't boot Vista anymore.

In grub i see a windows vista option, but that option brings me to a recovery partition and not to the real operative system.
I know that vista is not broken because when I used wubi I was able to boot from the vista bootloader without any problems, but I never could boot vista from grub because it brought me to that recovery partition.

I can access all my files on the disk from ubuntu, but I would like to be able to restore the vista boot loader and use again windows when I need it.

Is there a way to restore vista's boot loader? I tried to do automatic startup repair from the vista recovery cd but it says that no problem could be found..

I'm so sorry i wrote this long post but I need some help and I wanted to explain the best way I could the situation

thank you

Andrea

[Rubi1200]

Hi and welcome to the forums :)

Your post describes a problem that is not uncommon.

In order to give us a better overview of your entire setup, please boot into Ubuntu and then follow the instructions in the link at the bottom of my post.

Post the results back here and we will try and find a solution for you.

Thanks.

[scambione]

thank you very much! this is the RESULTS.txt content


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 #6 for (,msdos6)/boot/grub.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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: /bootmgr /Boot/bcd

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows Vista
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: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda5 starts
at sector 63.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda4: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disco /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 byte
255 testine, 63 settori/tracce, 30401 cilindri, totale 488397168 settori
Unità = settori di 1 * 512 = 512 byte
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 20,466,809 20,466,747 12 Compaq diagnostics
/dev/sda2 * 20,467,712 254,701,567 234,233,856 6 FAT16
/dev/sda3 254,701,630 481,580,504 226,878,875 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sda5 254,701,632 409,528,979 154,827,348 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6 409,529,043 478,881,584 69,352,542 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 478,881,648 481,580,504 2,698,857 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda4 481,595,392 488,394,751 6,799,360 2 XENIX root


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 28080A70E49BED2A ntfs PQSERVICE
/dev/sda2 78002E07002DCD46 ntfs ACER
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda4 D8AEBC7EAEBC572A ntfs
/dev/sda5 01CB8288D5D4B040 ntfs DATA
/dev/sda6 fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4 ext4
/dev/sda7 210d0532-c9a7-4fd6-a0e8-e26c36591dd2 swap
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda6 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0)
/dev/sda2 /media/ACER fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096,default_ permissions)
/dev/sda5 /media/DATA fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096,default_ permissions)


=========================== sda6/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,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4
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,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=it
insmod gettext
if [ "${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 2.6.35-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-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,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set fc32a6d1-16a1-4aeb-90b7-0258914d06d4
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 28080a70e49bed2a
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 78002e07002dcd46
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Embedded (on /dev/sda4)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d8aebc7eaebc572a
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
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 ###

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

=============================== sda6/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 nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
/dev/sda6 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
/dev/sda7 none swap sw 0 0

=================== sda6: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


231.3GB: boot/grub/core.img
227.2GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
210.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
231.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic
210.7GB: initrd.img
231.3GB: vmlinuz

================================ sda4/boot.ini: ================================

[boot loader]
timeout=0
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Embedded" /fastdetect /maxmem=768

[Rubi1200]

Thanks for the results.

Two questions:

1. are you able to boot normally into the Windows XP Embedded install on sda4?

2. if you try booting into sda2 (which is marked as the recovery partition):

Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda2does it bring you into Windows Vista?

Thanks.

[scambione]

the first option could not start because hal.dll is missing, and the second (I feel a little embarassed because I was pretty sure I tried all the options before coming here and ask for help) actually boots vista!

ok, the problem of getting into the operative system is solved, but is there a way to switch the priority and put vista bootloader as first rather than grub? this is because I might want to uninstall ubuntu in the future maybe for installing new releases and I'm afraid that uninstalling grub wouldn't let me boot vista anymore..

[Rubi1200]

the first option could not start because hal.dll is missing, and the second (I feel a little embarassed because I was pretty sure I tried all the options before coming here and ask for help) actually boots vista!

ok, the problem of getting into the operative system is solved, but is there a way to switch the priority and put vista bootloader as first rather than grub? this is because I might want to uninstall ubuntu in the future maybe for installing new releases and I'm afraid that uninstalling grub wouldn't let me boot vista anymore..
One thing at a time:


the first option could not start because hal.dll is missingSee here for possible solutions, but proceed with caution (if you are unsure about anything ask first!):
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1618161
(see especially posts # 10 and 11)


I'm afraid that uninstalling grub wouldn't let me boot vista anymore..Correct, but this can be easily rectified by restoring the Windows Vista bootloader:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1014708


but is there a way to switch the priority and put vista bootloader as first rather than grub?If you mean use the Vista bootloader not GRUB to boot the 2 systems, the answer is no because GRUB overwrote the Vista bootloader when it was installed to the MBR (see above).

The Windows bootloader does not recognize other operating systems whereas GRUB does. In your situation, GRUB had a problem with labeling the partitions because of the recovery partition (a problem that is occurring more frequently as manufacturer's choose to install this preloaded rather than give a recovery disk with the computer when it is sold: as it used to be).

There is a solution, but I need a bit more time to work on it.

Please hang in there (you now know there is a temporary solution), and I will get back to you regarding how to handle this.

Thanks.

[scambione]

is it important to fix the XP booting option? I have never had XP on this laptop and I don't expect that option to boot anything.. has that got another meaning than pretending to be a XP boot option?

since I can access Windows Vista from that recovery option you suggested and since I can't switch the bootloaders I think that the situation is ok right now, I'll just use grub to choose the OS i want.

Do you think that it is worth the effort to change the recovery option you suggested (which actually works) with the real vista loading option?

thank you!

[oldfred]

You can copy your Vista entries to 40_custom, edit any way you want and run sudo update-grub to add that to your menu. If it works you can turn off the osprober and eliminate the old entries. If you ever update system with new operating system you can turn prober back on.

One way to fix the descriptions is to move the windows entries to 40_custom and edit at will.

I used drs305's command to limit ubuntu entries to two, turned off os_prober so it does not look for other systems and totally customized my 40_custom.
Copy the windows entries from this:
gedit /boot/grub/grub.cfg
Copy them to and edit :
gksudo gedit /etc/grub.d/40_custom

to add to menu:
sudo update-grub

If it works you can turn off the old entries:

To turn off osprober on grub updates:
In /etc/default/grub I added this:
gksudo gedit /etc/default/grub
GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=true
or make it non-executable
sudo chmod a-x /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober

sudo update-grub


Grub 2 Title Tweaks Thread -drs305
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1287602

[Rubi1200]

Thank you oldfred for this great tip!

@scambione:

this is the best solution to deal with your situation. If you do not need the XP partition, I would just leave it for the moment.

If you need more help, please ask.

[scambione]

I will try your solution and I marked the topic as solved because at least I can boot on vista now

thank you very much for the help! :)

[Rubi1200]

You are more than welcome :)