12.04 on an already dual boot XP/W7 machine

[rva1945]

Hi:

Currently I have dual boot, WXP and W7, and I want to install Ubuntu 12.04 (thats the disk I still have at hand) in the WXP partition.

As far as I remember, once I do it, I will not be able to choose between both systems, Ubuntu and W7 (I still use W7 to run a guitar effects app, the same Linux apps don't work well). But I remember that booting with the image CD again and running grub or something like that will fix it, am I right?

Thanks

[oldfred]

You may have a bigger problem.
Post this from terminal in Ubuntu live installer:
sudo parted -l

If you have two Windows installs only one has boot files for both. Usually the first install. Second install copies its boot files into first install and adds first install to its boot menu. If so, and you delete XP, you may erase boot files for Windows 7.

When you installed Windows 7 did you install to a primary partition and move boot flag it it? Then it would have its own boot files inside it. But if you did not install Windows 7 to a primary partition you cannot directly boot it. Windows only boots from primary partitions.

Better to use a 14.04, but 12.04 should work.

First from Windows 7 make a Windows repairCD or flash drive.

To get each MS to have its own boot loader make a second primary NTFS partition and set its boot flag on, then install the 2nd product in it. Multibooters, Pictures here worth 1000+ words - Vista but all Windows with BIOS/MBR
http://www.multibooters.co.uk/multiboot.html
http://www.multibooters.co.uk/articles/windows_seven.html


Make your own Windows 7 repairCD (not vendor recovery):
http://forums.techarena.in/guides-tutorials/1114725.htm

Windows 7 repair USB, Also Vista if service pack installed
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-repair-windows-7-from-usb-flash-drive-repair-without-installation-dvd-disc/
http://www.webupd8.org/2010/10/create-bootable-windows-7-usb-drive.html

[rva1945]

Thank you, man! Lots of useful info.

[rva1945]

Using MiniTool Partition Wizard I see that the XP partition (seen as D: from W7) appears first and its Status is "Active & Boot".

In W7, Control Panel, Disk Management, D: (XP) appears at the left as System, Active, Primary Partition. C: (W7) appears at the right as Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary Partition).

That's the scenario.

[oldfred]

At the minimum make the Windows 7 repairCD or flash drive. Then you can always fix it.

You may be able to copy from the XP partition, the bootmgr and BCD back into your Windows 7 partition. If you move boot flag to Windows 7 you can see if it will boot.

Windows BIOS Boot files:
WinXP
/boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM
Vista/7/8 (with 7or 8 the first two files are usually in a separate 100MB boot partition)
/bootmgr /Boot/BCD /Windows/System32/winload.exe

[rva1945]

I created a Bootable CD using MiniTool Partition Wizard. It let's me boot and manage partitions in case the system refuses to boot.

I still didn't do anything (no modification to any partition).

I don't understand what you mean by
/bootmgr /Boot/BCD /Windows/System32/winload.exe

I searched for winload.exe and found some in folders like this one:

C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-b..environment-windows_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18741_none_c73b1 8fba3854417/winload.exe

With MiniTool I can set a partition as Active or InActive. Should I set W7 as Active, XP as InActive and then install Linux in the (XP) InActive partition?

Or should I delete the XP partition and then install Linux in the unallocated space (left by XP once it is gone)?

Once Linux is installed will GRUB fix the unbootable W7?

[oldfred]

No.
The active partition (boot flag in Linux) must always be on the Windows NTFS primary partition with the boot files. Only the active partition can be used for install, repair & boot of Windows.

Grub only chain loads to the Windows boot partition which then Windows has to load its own boot files. Grub does not use boot flag.

In XP partition at top level should be those files, both the old XP boot files which you are not using and the Windows 7 files that replaced them. If you do not create Windows repair disk the only way you will have Windows 7's boot files is if you copy them from the XP partition to Win7 partition.

Not sure if your MiniTool repair disk will repair the missing Windows. You used to be able to down load a Windows repair ISO that was just Windows repair console. But Microsoft enforced copyrights and no one now offers the free download. But you then must make the Windows repair CD or flash from Windows 7.

We regularly get users who delete the 100MB boot partition or the old XP partition where Windows 7 has its boot files as they do not understand those are essential. And then have no way to repair or boot Windows. If you have the original install disks for Windows 7 it also should have the Windows repair console.

[rva1945]

I have the W7 installation disk. Will it work or do I still have to create the repair CD?

My system was created in this order:

1) I installed XP in a (50% of total disk space) partition
2) I installed W7 in the other partition

Now I want to get rid of the XP partition and install Linux instead.

[oldfred]

Move boot flag (active partition) to Windows 7 partition.
If you have moved boot files it then should boot. If not you then need to run Windows repairs.
Until you get Windows 7 booting on its own, do not delete XP.

[rva1945]

Thanks. Now, are boot flag and boot files different things?

By moving boot flag to W7 partition you mean setting it as Active?

Currently when the system boots, I have two options, in this order:

Earlier version of Windows (or something like that, I'm not at home now)
Windows 7

Once set it as Active and I move the boot files, will W7 start at once without option?

[oldfred]

Your boot options (menu) are in boot.ini, but in the /Boot/BCD with Windows 7 and later versions of Windows.

In Linux it is the boot flag, Windows calls it active partition. They mean the same thing.
If in Live installer's terminal using fdisk (sudo fdisk -l) you see boot flag as an * .
If you copy BCD it should have same entries, but not sure if different partition makes a difference or not, it may still need repairs.

To fully understand Windows booting, go back and review the multibooters site, link in post #2.

f8 to get to repair install screen, if you can start to boot
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/666-advanced-boot-options.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html
http://www.w7forums.com/startup-repair-t441.html
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/927392/

[rva1945]

In MiniTool Partition Wizard, XP partition appears as D:, Primary, Active & Boot. W7 appears as C:, Primary, System.

If I set W7 as Active, then when booting I get

BOOTMGR is not found.

Then I boot using a Bootable CD built from MiniTool, then Rebuild MBR but to no avail. I have to set XP partition as Active again.

If I set X7 partition as Active again, I think I should W7 Repair Disk. Now, is the problem located in W7 or Xp partition? Shouldn't I use a XP repair disk?

Question: copying BCD from XP to W7 is made by setting W7 as Active? I feel as if spiraling down on this.

[oldfred]

Boot flag or active partition is just where MBR tells system where to go for more boot code. And you have more boot code in the PBR or partition boot sector.
You have to copy bootmgr & /boot/BCD from XP to Windows 7, or use Windows repair CD (when boot flag is on Windows 7) to install a new copy of bootmgr and BCD.

Did you not review how Windows works in multibooters site, post #2?

[rva1945]

Boot flag or active partition is just where MBR tells system where to go for more boot code. And you have more boot code in the PBR or partition boot sector.
You have to copy bootmgr & /boot/BCD from XP to Windows 7, or use Windows repair CD (when boot flag is on Windows 7) to install a new copy of bootmgr and BCD.

Did you not review how Windows works in multibooters site, post #2?

I read the review but it is a lot of info and I finally get lost, while I just need to know how to copy bootmgr & /boot/BCD from XP to Windows 7, or find out where the boot flag is and later use the Windows repair CD.

Seems as if the boot flag is in XP partition as it was the first O.S. installed, I later installed W7 in the other partition. I understand I should reach this scenario: W7 is the only active partition and there is unallocated disk space where I will install Linux, a similar scenario I had in the past in another PC.

I will re-try later at home, thanks.

[rva1945]

I found this guide, it covers my scenario, XP installed first and W7 later. I understand that following these steps (using the Windows Repair CD) will copy the missing files to the W7 partition, once it is set as Active:

https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/kb/article.php?id=411

is that right?

[oldfred]

I do not know Windows Commands, but it looks like it is giving you exactly the same info but a bit more detail on using Windows commands to move boot flag to Windows 7 partition and either repair it or move boot files.

[rva1945]

So Far So Good! I followed the instructions and now W7 boots without the boot menu
Earlier version...
Window 7

XP partition is still there and seen as D: from W7. Now Linux installation follows next. I guess the Live CD disk will ask me where I want it to be installed, I will be able to choose that partition, won't I?

Then after Linux is installed, will it automatically provide for a startup menu (Linux/W7) or will I have to do something?

[oldfred]

Be sure to use Something Else install option.
Have you backed up all your data and/or Windows or a way to reinstall Windows 7?

Grub will have a boot menu and offer to boot either Ubuntu or Windows.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

Lots of detail, screenshots and essential info.14.04 Something Else example
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/ubuntu-14-04-install-guide.html
http://askubuntu.com/questions/343268/how-to-use-manual-partitioning-during-installation

[rva1945]

"Be sure to use Something Else install option."

MMmmm...no. I just got rid of the XP partition (W7, Control Panel, Disk Management) and now I have that unallocated disk space, where I will install Linux, so I will pick Install Linux alongside... option.

Will do it tomorrow as now it's too late here.

Thanks.

[rva1945]

Linux successfully installed alongside W7.

I first deleted the XP partition from W7, then I booted with Ubuntu 12.04 live CD and installed it. I picked the first option, Install Ubuntu alongside..." and it took that unallocated disk space. The boot menu is shown with W7 as the last option (I will use it because of the guitar effects application; Linux's Rakarrack and Guitarix are plagued with clicks and pops).

Many Thanks