Hello guys, I hope somebody can help me with this. I got in troubles after I reinstalled windows 7 on my dual boot machine (dell xps 17 with windows 7 and ubuntu). Windows starts OK but ubuntu doesn't even if it is still on my machine (here is what my disk looks like http://s15.postimg.org/sjfwy031n/disk.jpg, fourth partition should be linux). Anyway, here is the account of what I've done so far, sorry if it is a bit long.
I followed the procedure detailed here http://askubuntu.com/questions/13996...ws-7-boot-menu and when I restarted the laptop I got the choice of windows or NeoGrub bootloader http://s14.postimg.org/4d4jcboip/enu.jpg and if I select the Neogrub I get the grub prompt http://s13.postimg.org/okiducm1z/prompt.jpg
Basically, my problem is that I'm not able to boot into ubuntu GUI and when I try to find out what partition is what from grub I get an error: "Filename must be either an absolute pathname or blocklist" as here http://postimg.org/image/c0r0z1qir/.
Does anybody know how I can get in ubuntu again please?
thanks

It looks like Ubuntu is on sda5. Did you install the Ubuntu Grub bootloader to that partition during the install. Since you are using EasyBCD and it chainloads to the partition you would need Grub there. Probably the best thing to do is to get more details on your partitions and boot files to post here. Boot the Ubuntu installation disk and go to the site below, download the bootinfoscript and run it and post the output which is a results.txt file. There are instructions in a link in the Description box at the top of the page:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/bootinfoscript/

Thanks, I don't have the original boot disk as I think I installed it from USB, should I then download the ubuntu iso and make a bootable cd/usb and then follow your instructions?

The bootinfoscript needs to be run from Linux, so if you have no Linux CD/DVD/flash drive that limits things so you will probably need to download and put it on a flash drive and then run the bootinfoscript. The bootinfoscript is not going to repair anything but provide information which you can post here and we can get a clear idea of what the problem might be.

OK cool, that's done, file attached. Please let me know if that helps
thanks

Attached Files

RESULTS.txt (21.7 KB, 20 views)

Grub is installed on sda6 where Ubuntu is also installed. Your output shows that windows is on the master boot record so that means your entry for ubuntu in EasyBCD is wrong. The link below shown in the bootinfoscript is supposed to have information on how to change the entries. I haven't used EasyBCD for over 5 years so don't have any suggestions in that regard. Check the site below to see if it helps. Open My Computer in windows. You should see a folder named NST and there should be a menu.lst file there.

http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/

The other option is to install Grub from Ubuntu to the master boot record and then boot Ubuntu and run sudo update-grub which should detect windows and create a menu entry for it. The link below shows several methods of doing that if you chose.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Gr..._Broken_System

Thanks.
Unfortunately there isn't such a folder in my computer. The funny thing was that I was supposed to see the folder when I first used EasyBCD, but nothing happened then. The thing is I followed the instruction as detailed on the site.
Anyway, second solution: following from your link, I ended up here http://sourceforge.net/p/boot-repair-cd/home/Home/, which seems the easiest way. So what you've described I'd assumed it will be taken care by it? I'll give it a go and see what happens. I suppose I can't break anything - meaning making my laptop unbootable?

OK fixed it. Thanks for your help

Well, glad you got it working.

Well, you certainly could but it almost always works saving weird stuff like a lightning strike or angry cat/dog/small child. Anytime you're modify bootloaders there is the potential for problems including an unbootable machine. As long as you have this system you will need to keep the Ubuntu installation medium/Live CD or flash drive, just in case because the Ubuntu Grub bootloader is in charge. If you decide you don't want it in the future and format the Ubuntu partition, you have an unbootable computer. You should have a windows installation CD/DVD or a Recovery disk if you plan on continuing with windows.

It may be hidden, will have to go into controlpane\folder\view and uncheck/check dontshow/show hidden files. It has been awhile so not sure what the option says

I have an installation of windows 7 and 5 years ago, I installed EasyBCD and the NST folder is still sitting there in the root of the filesystem, not a hidden file so if the OP doesn't have it, that would go a long way toward explaining why his EasyBCD didn't work.

I also have not used EasyBCD in a while and couldn't remember if it was hidden or not so I thought it would be something to check.

@colorpurple21859 good point, it might be hidden, it didn't occur to me

Ah I see, so if I reformat the ubuntu partition for the sake of argument then windows will not boot and I have to reinstall it

I have NEVER needed "EasyBCD"
fedora's grub( 4 to 11) auto booted xp
and Scientificlinux's grub ( 5.x and 6.x) boots Win7 just fine
and my default OS OpenSUSE(11.1 through 13.2) AUTO set up win7 and sl6
there is and never was a need for "EasyBCD"

grub2 ( and the legacy grub0.9) will auto set up and be able to boot win7 just fine

No, it isn't. See my post above. If you have it, it will be in the root of the filesystem, when you go to the C partition on windows. If you don't see it there, you don't have it.