Unable to boot to windows partition 13.04/win7

**Kraw** · July 4th, 2013

I installed Windows 7, then Ubuntu 13.04, but GRUB can't seem to see my Windows partition.
I ran 'update-grub' but it didn't seem to find Windows.
Other forums seem to suggest editing /boot/grub/menu.lst but I can't even find that file.
I have tried a recommended repair using boot repair but then it boots grub into recovery mode.
Here is the boot repair link http://paste.ubuntu.com/5844303/
Here is the info I get from the 'boot_info_script'

Code:

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

 => Grub2 (v1.99) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector 
    487954864 of the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this 
    location and looks in partition 94 for .
 => No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb.

sda1: __________________________________________________________________________

    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/bkpbootx64.efi /efi/Boot/bootx64.efi 
                       /efi/ubuntu/grubx64.efi

sda2: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info: 
    Operating System:  Ubuntu 13.04
    Boot files:        /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab

sda3: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________________________________

    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:        

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

Drive: sda _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 256.1 GB, 256060514304 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 31130 cylinders, total 500118192 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/sda1                   1   500,118,191   500,118,191  ee GPT


GUID Partition Table detected.

Partition    Start Sector    End Sector  # of Sectors System
/dev/sda1           2,048       206,847       204,800 EFI System partition
/dev/sda2     365,899,776   500,117,503   134,217,728 Data partition (Windows/Linux)
/dev/sda3         468,992   365,899,775   365,430,784 Data partition (Windows/Linux)

Drive: sdb _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 1000.2 GB, 1000204885504 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525167 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 1,953,525,163 1,953,523,116   7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS


"blkid" output: ________________________________________________________________

Device           UUID                                   TYPE       LABEL

/dev/sda1        EC0C-B43B                              vfat       
/dev/sda2        8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56   ext4       
/dev/sda3        28842C64842C372A                       ntfs       
/dev/sdb1        92E47501E474E93D                       ntfs       Seagate Backup Plus Drive

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

Device           Mount_Point              Type       Options

/dev/sda2        /                        ext4       (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sdb1        /media/kraw/Seagate Backup Plus Drive1 fuseblk    (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,default_permissions,blksize=4096)


=========================== sda2/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 [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

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 {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/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 ###
function gfxmode {
    set gfxpayload="${1}"
    if [ "${1}" = "keep" ]; then
        set vt_handoff=vt.handoff=7
    else
        set vt_handoff=
    fi
}
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
menuentry 'Ubuntu' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56' {
recordfail
    load_video
    gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
    insmod gzio
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd0,gpt2'
    if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
    else
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
    fi
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-3.8.0-19-generic root=UUID=8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-3.8.0-19-generic
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Ubuntu' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56' {
    menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.8.0-19-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-3.8.0-19-generic-advanced-8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56' {
    recordfail
        load_video
        gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
        insmod gzio
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,gpt2'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 3.8.0-19-generic ...'
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-3.8.0-19-generic root=UUID=8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-3.8.0-19-generic
    }
    menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.8.0-19-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-3.8.0-19-generic-recovery-8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56' {
    recordfail
        load_video
        insmod gzio
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,gpt2'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 3.8.0-19-generic ...'
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-3.8.0-19-generic root=UUID=8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56 ro recovery nomodeset 
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-3.8.0-19-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_gpt
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd0,gpt2'
    if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
    else
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
    fi
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd0,gpt2'
    if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
    else
      search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56
    fi
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
if [ "x${timeout}" != "x-1" ]; then
  if keystatus; then
    if keystatus --shift; then
      set timeout=-1
    else
      set timeout=0
    fi
  else
    if sleep --interruptible 3 ; then
      set timeout=0
    fi
  fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###

### 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  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda2/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>
# / was on /dev/sda2 during installation
UUID=8d45a21c-f624-4ebb-bcfd-36a67c614b56 /               ext4    errors=remount-ro 0       1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

           GiB - GB             File                                 Fragment(s)

 232.767795563 = 249.932517376  boot/grub/grub.cfg                             1
 175.911525726 = 188.883562496  boot/initrd.img-3.8.0-19-generic               1
 175.064453125 = 187.974025216  boot/vmlinuz-3.8.0-19-generic                  2
 175.911525726 = 188.883562496  initrd.img                                     1
 175.911525726 = 188.883562496  initrd.img.old                                 1
 175.064453125 = 187.974025216  vmlinuz                                        2

And fdisk

Code:

sudo fdisk -l

WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sda'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.


Disk /dev/sda: 256.1 GB, 256060514304 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 31130 cylinders, total 500118192 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xe4ae0a98

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1               1   500118191   250059095+  ee  GPT

Disk /dev/sdb: 1000.2 GB, 1000204885504 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525167 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x1387aa67

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sdb1            2048  1953525163   976761558    7  HPFS/NTFS/exFAT

Any thoughts?

**DJ_Max** · July 4th, 2013

See this thread
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1952953

**fantab** · July 5th, 2013

You can run Boot-Repair and apply 'Recommended Repair' this time. Also create a SWAP partition of about 2GB (SWAP wont necessarily affect the boot but may help Ubuntu perform better).

**Kraw** · July 5th, 2013

Originally Posted by fantab

You can run Boot-Repair and apply 'Recommended Repair' this time. Also create a SWAP partition of about 2GB (SWAP wont necessarily affect the boot but may help Ubuntu perform better).

I tried recommended repair. It forces grub into recovery mode and i cant boot into linux then either. As for the swap file, isnt that bad for solid state hard drives? I have 16gb of ram so I dont really think I need the swap partition.

**fantab** · July 5th, 2013

I don't think SWAP is an absolute must but having a small one is not a bad idea. Also, I don't think SSD is any different to NOT have SWAP on it.
Your Summary from Boot-Repair says, "No change has been performed on your computer", perhaps you didn't 'apply' Boot-Repair. Try again.

Try re-installing Ubuntu, just make sure you boot in EFI mode. If the installer boots in EFI mode then it will show a black screen with options.

**Kraw** · July 5th, 2013

I didnt on that time getting the file, I just ran the summary. Every time I did that before I ended up in grub recovery mode.

**carnagex420x** · July 5th, 2013

You need to do more reading on Grub2, there are a lot of changes from 1 and 2. If you can boot to Linux then adding a entry and having it point to the right partition should be cake. sounds mean but, RTFM. When in doubt FIND DOCUMENTATION!

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2

3) No /boot/grub/menu.lst. It has been replaced by /boot/grub/grub.cfg.

8) The user can create a custom file in which the user can place his own menu entries. This file will not be overwritten. By default, a custom file named 40_custom is available for use in the /etc/grub.d folder.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2/CustomMenus

3) A sample entry for Windows.

Try-

menuentry "Windows 7" {
set root='(hd0,2)'
chainloader +1
}

And dont use a swap "partition" on an SSD, swap file, maybe.