Ubuntu installer doesn't detect windows 7

[peter94]

Hello.

I downloaded ubuntu recently and i am trying to make a dual boot but the installation can't seem to be able to detect that i have windows 7 so it asks me if i want to delete the entire disk. How do i solve this issue?

I have tried running fixparts on windows and then entering the w command.

I also tried using sudo sgdisk --zap /dev/sda with the live cd OS but then when i tried to install i was informed that i don't have enough space. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[Mark Phelps]

I also tried using sudo sgdisk --zap /dev/sda with the live cd OS

So, let me get this straight -- the Linux installer did not see Win7, so you knowingly ran a command that destroyed any GPT and MBR data structures on the disk?

HOW, was this going to help you
trying to make a dual boot ??

[peter94]

I just kept googling and trying a bunch of solutions that popped up in threads showcasing a similar problem. But apparently i probably did something stupid didn't i? :/
To be honest i just have no clue what i am supposed to do.

[oldfred]

Stop trying to randomly modify drive.

Post this from live installer terminal to see if zap removed all partitions.
sudo parted -l

You did make full backups of Windows before major modifications like a new install?
You did you Windows to shrink the NTFS partition to make space for Ubuntu.
You checked if you had used all 4 primary partitions which most Windows 7 systems have used and need a bit of work to resolve.

We have posted the above instructions 1000's of times for dual booting Windows & Ubuntu and google would have found most of them.

If partitions are gone, do you have a printout of partition table or any documentation that shows exact sector locations on drive?
You may be able to recover partitions with testdisk, but lets see where you are at.

[peter94]

I run the command as you said and i got this as a result :

"Error: /dev/sda: unrecognised disk label

Error: Can't have a partition outside the disk"

What should i do next?

PS. Thanks for your time.

[oldfred]

All partition table info has been deleted.

See if testdisk can find old partitions. If you changed partitions, it will find multiple copies. You can only select one set of non-overlapping partitions. Best if you remember size and types of partitions.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DataRecovery
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk
repairs including testdisk info & links
http://members.iinet.net.au/~herman546/p21.html
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DataRecovery#Lost_Partition


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

[peter94]

EDITED:Never mind. give me a seconds.

[oldfred]

Testdisk has been in repository forever. Sometimes you do have to turn on universe, restricted or multiverse repostories for some packages.
I often use synaptic to find packages. And it is in 12.04, as I show it installed and it is in universe.

I have never downloaded it and installed it, so not sure if .deb which is easy to install or a tarbell which may be more difficult to install.
download TestDisk http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

[peter94]

http://i59.tinypic.com/i27j1l.png

Here's the result.

[oldfred]

Disk sr0 is your CD or DVD, it does not have any partitions.

You want sda or sdb or whatever the drive is.

[xXIntelXx]

Edit (my phone is stupid)

[peter94]

The only option to select is my dvd. I don't have any other options.

[oldfred]

Does BIOS show drive?

I do not think the zap in sgdisk would have erased all the history but perhaps it totally housecleans everything? It looks like it totally erases gpt info, and MBR partiiton table, but testdisk is looking for old partitions on drive.

[peter94]

Does BIOS show drive?

I do not think the zap in sgdisk would have erased all the history but perhaps it totally housecleans everything? It looks like it totally erases gpt info, and MBR partiiton table, but testdisk is looking for old partitions on drive.

The bios does show the drive and i can still start up windows.

[oldfred]

THen I do not know why testdisk would not show it.
And if all partitions are deleted, Windows would not work either??

I do not really understand Windows partition tools but what does its partition tool show.

Or does gparted show partitions?

[peter94]

http://oi61.tinypic.com/nmg8ye.jpg

There you go.

[oldfred]

You are not showing any Linux partitions and just three NTFS partitions that look normal.
Did you install with wubi?

You should use Windows partition tools to shrink one of you NTFS partitions, reboot immediately so it can run chkdsk and make repairs to its new size.
Make sure you are not hibernated.

Then does Ubuntu installer see Windows?
If not you may have to use Something else or manual install, but do not run auto install unless it says it sees Windows.

Install with screen shots, auto install option
http://howtoubuntu.org/how-to-install-ubuntu-13-04-raring-ringtail#.UfFD-uHAMfT
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing
Install options, Do not use erase entire drive unless that is really what you want. That is entire hard drive not just Windows c: "drive".
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/install-desktop-long-term-support
Windows 8 & Ubuntu
http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2013/09/install-ubuntu-linux-alongside-windows.html
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot
http://askubuntu.com/questions/6328/how-do-i-install-ubuntu

[peter94]

I cannot install because when i go to the second screen my only options appear to either be erase the whole drive or make a partition table manually. That's what i meant when i said that ubuntu doesn't detect windows. Also as for the commands that you asked me to run i just booted the ubuntu and selected the "try without installing" and then downloaded the tools and run then through the live cd demo.

[oldfred]

Does Windows need chkdsk, it may even boot, but still need chkdsk.
Or are you hibernating in Windows.
Linux cannot see NTFS partitions that have chkdsk flag or hibernation flag set.

Post this from live installer's terminal in try mode.

sudo parted -l
sudo fdisk -lu

[peter94]

Apparently the cause was the sata ports on my motherboard which cause a partial malfunction as of how the system read the disks. It seems to be ok though(though i will have to reinstall everything and all). But made back ups anyways. After that everything will be fine. Thanks for all your help. :)