Windows 7 loader line in Grub menu is selected but the menu screen turns back.

[kd_dubai]

The problem is that when the "Windows 7" loader line in Grub menu is selected the screen(menu) turns black and again shows the Grub menu.
below is the sequence of steps produced this issue.

1.> in new netbook i could see only 2 drives, one for OS another D: where drivers was copied so i shrink C: drive but in disk management console it was already showing 4 drive so i was not able to use unallocated space achieved after shrink. restarted system, Win7 was working fine.

2.> Downloaded Ubuntu, extracted iso in USB. restarted system from USB flash, started installation.
selected customs kind of installation, where i formated unallocated partition(which was achieved after shrink C:). created / and swap partition. after installation and restarting machine, system directly went into Win7 (could not recognize Ubuntu). note-> was able to login to Win7.

3.> Again i restarted the system, booted from USB, deleted the created partition , created again but selected Win7 Loader partition to install Ubuntu [as i was thinking may be on same place both OS can fix boot menu to come :( ]

4.> After installation finished,restarted the system, THIS time i got boot screen to choose (attached). happily login to Ubuntu and started using but then i thought lets see how is Win7. i restated machine and selected Win7 from the boot BUT what i see the menu comes again and again.
Finally i realize i lost Win7 :(.
just for your information, i dont have Windows 7 starter OS installation disk(which came with my netbook).

I went through forums since couple of hours and got some similar kind of thread but my scenario was bit different so finally i started this thread. i have executed bootinfo script (output attached).

Thanks,
KD

[Mark Phelps]

Pasted your results in line using Code tags -- since text file is really hard to read:


Boot Info Script 0.60 from 17 May 2011


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

=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda.

sda1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub2 (v1.99)
Boot sector info: Grub2 (v1.99) is installed in the boot sector of sda1
and looks at sector 539407656 of the same hard drive
for core.img. core.img is at this location and looks
for on this drive. No errors found in the Boot
Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files: /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 7
Boot files: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda3: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files:

sda6: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda7: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 11.10
Boot files: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda4: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda4 has
30722047 sectors, but according to the info from
fdisk, it has 30943919 sectors.
Operating System:
Boot files: /bootmgr /boot/bcd

============================ 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/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sda1 * 2,048 411,647 409,600 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sda2 411,648 288,026,623 287,614,976 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sda3 288,028,670 594,198,527 306,169,858 f W95 Extended (LBA)
/dev/sda5 288,028,672 530,739,199 242,710,528 b W95 FAT32
/dev/sda6 585,428,992 594,198,527 8,769,536 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 530,741,248 585,422,847 54,681,600 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 594,198,528 625,142,447 30,943,920 12 Compaq diagnostics


"blkid" output: __________________________________________________ ______________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 B8F6C1E3F6C1A1CC ntfs
/dev/sda2 FE42C07642C03565 ntfs OS
/dev/sda4 C2B230F2B230ED13 ntfs LENOVO_PART
/dev/sda5 4CF7-9364 vfat MYDATA
/dev/sda6 7fc49b40-4c9d-4e62-b5c0-5f6ac39477b3 swap
/dev/sda7 6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5 ext4

================================ Mount points: =================================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda7 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=600)


=========================== sda7/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 video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${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
if background_color 44,0,30; then
clear
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-12-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-12-generic root=UUID=6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-12-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-12-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5
echo 'Loading Linux 3.0.0-12-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-12-generic root=UUID=6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-12-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,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5
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/sda1)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root B8F6C1E3F6C1A1CC
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda4)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root C2B230F2B230ED13
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 ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda7/etc/fstab: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid' 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
# / was on /dev/sda7 during installation
UUID=6ddc3d74-59bc-41f8-9a47-6a475ba28bb5 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=7fc49b40-4c9d-4e62-b5c0-5f6ac39477b3 none swap sw 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda7: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

= boot/grub/core.img 1
= boot/grub/grub.cfg 1
= boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-12-generic 1
= boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-12-generic 1
= initrd.img 1
= vmlinuz 1

=============================== StdErr Messages: ===============================

unlzma: Decoder error
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in

[Mark Phelps]

Before you panic (more on this later) you need to confirm that Win7 is actually GONE.

If you're using 11.04 or 11.10 (if NOT, you should have told us WHAT you're using), then click on the Home icon in the Launcher. That will open a window showing a list of partitions. Click on each and see what is in there. You originally had two partitions containing Win7 stuff: the first was the boot loader, the second was the OS with the other files.

IF the first is empty, that can be fixed -- but it will involve a lot of work on your part. If the second is empty, Win7 is GONE -- and NOW, you can panic. To restore in the second situation, you would have to check the documentation that came with your netbook to see what key sequence you need to press to do a Factory Restore. Even then, since you messed around with your partitions, that might not work. You would then have to REMOVE the Ubuntu partitions and see if Factory Restore then works. If it still does not work, you will have to contact the netbook supplier and see if you can purchase Full Restore Media from them.

[Quackers]

Good advice from Mark Phelps above.
It's not clear to me what has happened. There appear to be some anomalies.
According to the output of the boot script Grub is not installed to the mbr of the hard drive, yet you are getting a grub menu.
Grub appears to have been installed to the sda1 partition, which now has a Boot Sector type of Grub. See below. This is almost certainly what is stopping Windows from booting. Windows doesn't like it's boot sector messed with.
It may be an option to repair the Windows boot sector with a Windows 7 repair disc. If you don't have one then you should do! It may be possible to download one. You can then boot from that disc and repair the mbr of the drive.
This will hopefully get Windows booting again.



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

=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda.

sda1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub2 (v1.99)
Boot sector info: Grub2 (v1.99) is installed in the boot sector of sda1
and looks at sector 539407656 of the same hard drive
for core.img. core.img is at this location and looks
for on this drive. No errors found in the Boot
Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files: /bootmgr /Boot/BCD

[fantab]

The problem is that when the "Windows 7" loader line in Grub menu is selected the screen(menu) turns black and again shows the Grub menu.
below is the sequence of steps produced this issue.

1.> in new netbook i could see only 2 drives, one for OS another D: where drivers was copied so i shrink C: drive but in disk management console it was already showing 4 drive so i was not able to use unallocated space achieved after shrink. restarted system, Win7 was working fine.

2.> Downloaded Ubuntu, extracted iso in USB. restarted system from USB flash, started installation.
selected customs kind of installation, where i formated unallocated partition(which was achieved after shrink C:). created / and swap partition. after installation and restarting machine, system directly went into Win7 (could not recognize Ubuntu). note-> was able to login to Win7.

3.> Again i restarted the system, booted from USB, deleted the created partition , created again but selected Win7 Loader partition to install Ubuntu [as i was thinking may be on same place both OS can fix boot menu to come :( ]

4.> After installation finished,restarted the system, THIS time i got boot screen to choose (attached). happily login to Ubuntu and started using but then i thought lets see how is Win7. i restated machine and selected Win7 from the boot BUT what i see the menu comes again and again.
Finally i realize i lost Win7 :(.
just for your information, i dont have Windows 7 starter OS installation disk(which came with my netbook).

I went through forums since couple of hours and got some similar kind of thread but my scenario was bit different so finally i started this thread. i have executed bootinfo script (output attached).

Thanks,
KD

GRUB Boot Loader, in your case, MUST be installed on /dev/sda.

You may have to re-install Ubuntu and Fix Windows MBR.

Follow these steps:


If you can go to Windows Recovery directly, without Grub, then follow the steps below. (If you can't then From Grub choose Windows Recovery Environment. If this doesn't work either then get a Windows Recovery Disk or contact your Netbook service.)
Once with Windows Recovery select your language etc.
Select Repair your Computer
In the System Recovery Options choose Command Prompt and run following command: Bootrec.exe /fixmbr.
Restart your computer it should boot to Windows directly.
this should fix your windows Mbr, if it doesn't then try this: Bootrec.exe /fixboot and restart
Reinstall Ubuntu and Install GRUB on /dev/sda.

hope this will help....