No other operating systems detected

[Julius_Sugioka]

I bought a refurbished Acer Aspire 5 laptop with windows 5 installed on it, and I tried installing Ubuntu 13.04 amd64 by booting from my pendrive alongside windows 8. When I got to the third screen, it told me that there was no other operating system detected, and didn't give me the option of installing Ubuntu alongside windows. I didn't understand the other posts about how to fix this problem.

Please help!

[grahammechanical]

You need to provide more information. Please download and run bootinfoscript

http://sourceforge.net/projects/boot info script/ (http://sourceforge.net/projects/bootinfoscript/)

It will collect useful information and put it in a file called RESULTS.txt. Then come back to this post and paste the contents of RESULTS.txt between code tags. You can do that by selecting the text you have put into the post and then clicking on the bubble/speech icon.

Then we can see something about your system that might help us understand what is causing this.

Regards.

[Julius_Sugioka]

Thanks for the reply, here's what I got:


Boot Info Script 0.61 [1 April 2012]


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

=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda.
=> Syslinux MBR (4.04 and higher) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb.

sda1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda2: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Windows 7: FAT32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files: /efi/Boot/bootx64.efi

sda3: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system:
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Mounting failed: mount: unknown filesystem type ''

sda4: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7: NTFS
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda5: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: SYSLINUX 4.06 2012-10-23
Boot sector info: Syslinux looks at sector 1375738 of /dev/sdb1 for its
second stage. SYSLINUX is installed in the directory.
The integrity check of the ADV area failed. No errors
found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /syslinux/syslinux.cfg
/efi/BOOT/grubx64.efi /ldlinux.sys

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

Drive: sda __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
256 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60563 cylinders, total 976773168 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 1 4,294,967,295 4,294,967,295 ee GPT

/dev/sda1 ends after the last sector of /dev/sda

GUID Partition Table detected.

Partition Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors System
/dev/sda1 2,048 821,247 819,200 Windows Recovery Environment (Windows)
/dev/sda2 821,248 1,435,647 614,400 EFI System partition
/dev/sda3 1,435,648 1,697,791 262,144 Microsoft Reserved Partition (Windows)
/dev/sda4 1,697,792 943,720,447 942,022,656 Data partition (Windows/Linux)
/dev/sda5 943,720,448 976,773,119 33,052,672 Windows Recovery Environment (Windows)

Drive: sdb __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 4007 MB, 4007264256 bytes
28 heads, 52 sectors/track, 5375 cylinders, total 7826688 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 2,048 7,825,407 7,823,360 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)


"blkid" output: __________________________________________________ ______________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda1 2E24AF3324AEFD49 ntfs Recovery
/dev/sda2 E6B1-5517 vfat ESP
/dev/sda4 0298DD6C98DD5EAB ntfs Acer
/dev/sda5 5C4EB41A4EB3EAC2 ntfs Push Button Reset
/dev/sdb1 16DD-303B vfat PENDRIVE

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)
/dev/sdb1 /cdrom vfat (ro,noatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=437,ioc harset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)


=========================== sdb1/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

if loadfont /boot/grub/font.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
insmod efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod gfxterm
terminal_output gfxterm
fi

set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray

menuentry "Try Ubuntu without installing" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux /casper/vmlinuz.efi file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper quiet splash --
initrd /casper/initrd.lz
}
menuentry "Install Ubuntu" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux /casper/vmlinuz.efi file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper only-ubiquity quiet splash --
initrd /casper/initrd.lz
}
menuentry "OEM install (for manufacturers)" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux /casper/vmlinuz.efi file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper only-ubiquity quiet splash oem-config/enable=true --
initrd /casper/initrd.lz
}
menuentry "Check disc for defects" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux /casper/vmlinuz.efi boot=casper integrity-check quiet splash --
initrd /casper/initrd.lz
}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

========================= sdb1/syslinux/syslinux.cfg: ==========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# D-I config version 2.0
include menu.cfg
default vesamenu.c32
prompt 0
timeout 0
ui gfxboot bootlogo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sdb1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

?? = ?? boot/grub/grub.cfg 1

================= sdb1: Location of files loaded by Syslinux: ==================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

?? = ?? ldlinux.sys 1
?? = ?? syslinux/chain.c32 1
?? = ?? syslinux/gfxboot.c32 1
?? = ?? syslinux/menu.c32 1
?? = ?? syslinux/syslinux.cfg 1
?? = ?? syslinux/vesamenu.c32 2

============== sdb1: Version of COM32(R) files used by Syslinux: ===============

syslinux/chain.c32 : COM32R module (v4.xx)
syslinux/gfxboot.c32 : COM32R module (v4.xx)
syslinux/menu.c32 : COM32R module (v4.xx)
syslinux/vesamenu.c32 : COM32R module (v4.xx)

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

/home/ubuntu/Desktop/bootinfoscript: line 1646: [: 2.73495e+09: integer expression expected
No volume groups found

[oldfred]

You have an UEFI system.
But script did not see the Windows boot file, just BOOTX64.EFI. this one not shown, not sure if script or your system?
/boot/efi/EFI/Microsoft/Boot/bootmgfw.efi

Does system boot ok?
Also if you have hibernation on Ubuntu installer cannot see the Windows partition as hibernation flag or chkdsk flag will prevent Linux NTFS driver from opening the partition.
And Windows 8 is always hibernated. You need to turn off fast boot.


Fast Startup off/hibernation
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6320-fast-startup-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1953674
It defaults shutdown to a hybrid hibernation/off state for fast boot
http://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-enable-disable-fast-start-up-in-windows-8

Best to also turn off secure boot, but have UEFI boot on, not CSM/BIOS boot.
Use Windows disk tools to shrink the Windows NTFS partition and reboot so it can run chkdsk and make repairs for its new size.
Lots more info in link in my signature. But this is most important of those.

Shows install with screen shots.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI
Also shows Windows 8 screens
http://askubuntu.com/questions/221835/installing-ubuntu-on-a-pre-installed-uefi-supported-windows-8-system
Boot Repair -Also handles LVM, GPT, separate /boot and UEFI dual boot. required for UEFI & grub bug fixes
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

[Julius_Sugioka]

Thank you for the reply, sorry I forgot to mention that jI turned off secure boot in order to boot off the live USB, so my windows and the live USB boot fine. I've turned off fast boot and shrunk the NTFS partition by 60 gigabytes. The ubuntu installer unfortunately still does not see the windows OS...

[oldfred]

Is this an UltraBook with Intel SRT that uses RAID. Standard desktop installer does not have RAID drivers.
See info on Ultrabook in link in my signature if that is the case.

Have you rebooted Windows after resize as it has to run chkdsk on resize. And both hibernation flag (fast boot) or chkdsk also prevent Linux NTFS driver from seeing NTFS partitions.

[Julius_Sugioka]

I'm not sure whether it uses raid or has intel SRT, my computer is an Acer Aspire V5 and my specs are here: http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model-datasheet/NX.M3AAA.002

I'm not sure how to run chkdsk on resize... How should I go about doing that?

[oldfred]

Windows will automatically run chkdsk if you resize using Windows disk tools and then reboot. Otherwise you have to go into Windows repair console. Chkdsk is run before booting or from a Wincdows repair flash drive which it is a good idea to have.

Other Acer:
Acer Aspire S7 can't install ubuntu - UltraBook erased RAID meta-data
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2121187
Acer V5-571P-6815 secure boot off worked Shows Diskpart
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2081311


Windows 8 UEFI repair USB flash drive must be FAT32
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/samsungpcgeneral/thread/e7ed293e-b565-44ee-a536-166dddf32205/
http://www.ghacks.net/2012/11/01/how-to-create-a-windows-8-system-repair-disc/

[Julius_Sugioka]

Chkdsk has run and when I tried installing ubuntu again with the live usb it still did not recognise windows 8 but it did recognise the partition map. My new artition map is as follows:

246064

Is it realistic to just install ubuntu using the last option on the install?

[oldfred]

I prefer to use manual install or Something Else as the auto options are just that. It may not choose what you want. But then you do have to understand partitions and have an idea of what partitions you may want and a new user is fine with just the defaults.

I normally suggest both a shared NTFS data partition so you do not write into the Windows system partition and maybe a separate /home. If most data is in data partition(s) then the /home is less important. I use two data partitions and still have my NTFS from when I still used XP, but have not yet moved that data to Linux formatted data partition where all new data now goes. I prefer smaller system partitions and large data partitions for both Windows & Linux. I make a 25GB / (root) but only use 9GB with /home inside it. And my /home is 2GB because of the Windows version of Picasa. Or you may only need 15 to 20GB for / (root).

[Julius_Sugioka]

Thank you for all of your help, I'll install ubuntu manually partitioning the hard drive.