[SOLVED] Grub won't load windows

Canas · 10-06-2013, 03:42 PM

Hi,

I'm rather new to Linux, and installed Mint 15 64-bit Mate edition on my Asus G73SW last night beside my existing Windows 8 system. All went well, after rebooting I as given the GRUB boot menu, and chose Linux Mint and it booted properly. However, the system seems to freeze after doing certain operations, such as using Firefox and the file browser. While that is a different problem completely, my main issue that I need help with is that when I tried to get back into windows by selecting "Windows 8 (loader)" from the GRUB menu, the screen goes black momentarily, then returns to the grub menu. Selecting "Windows 8 (recovery)" gives me the Windows 7 loading screen, then the Asus splash screen, then the GRUB menu again.

I am not very familiar with how the boot process works and would like some help if anyone can offer it

here is the output of "cat /boot/grub/grub.cfg" which may provide some more info, but I do not know the significance

Code:

#
# 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$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos7'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos7  7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
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=cyan/blue
set menu_color_highlight=white/blue
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=white/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/06_mint_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 [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
        set linux_gfx_mode=keep
      else
        set linux_gfx_mode=text
      fi
    else
      set linux_gfx_mode=text
    fi
  else
    set linux_gfx_mode=keep
  fi
else
  set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Linux Mint 15 MATE 64-bit, 3.8.0-19-generic (/dev/sda7)' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	recordfail
	gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
	insmod gzio
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,msdos7'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos7  7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
	fi
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.8.0-19-generic root=UUID=7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-3.8.0-19-generic
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 15 MATE 64-bit, 3.8.0-19-generic (/dev/sda7) -- recovery mode' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	recordfail
	insmod gzio
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,msdos7'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos7  7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
	fi
	echo	'Loading Linux 3.8.0-19-generic ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.8.0-19-generic root=UUID=7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886 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/10_lupin ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

### 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_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,msdos7'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos7  7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
	fi
	linux16	/boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,msdos7'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos7  7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7d116087-a5af-4409-8d03-4c3096867886
	fi
	linux16	/boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry 'Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda1)' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-32EC-CB7F' {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod fat
	set root='hd0,msdos1'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos1 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos1  32EC-CB7F
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 32EC-CB7F
	fi
	drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
	chainloader +1
}
menuentry 'Windows 8 (loader) (on /dev/sda2)' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-70CEC10ECEC0CE12' {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='hd0,msdos2'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos2  70CEC10ECEC0CE12
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 70CEC10ECEC0CE12
	fi
	drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
	chainloader +1
}
### 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 ###

Specs for my computer can be found here:
http://laptops-specs.blogspot.com/20...fications.html

I have the Intel Core i7 version, and it shipped with Windows 7.

Thanks in advance

colorpurple21859 · 10-07-2013, 09:16 AM

Download and run this and post results.
http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/

zeebra · 10-08-2013, 04:24 AM

Try with Grub legacy instead. It is easier to configure.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2/Upgrading // --- from http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=140732

Canas · 10-08-2013, 10:59 PM

I actually ended up running boot-repair and it detected that Grub had been installed over the windows bootloader, disallowing me from starting windows.

All I had to do was use TestDisk to copy the Windows boot recovery and overwrite Grub.

Thanks for the replies

phazon · 01-23-2014, 08:36 AM

I have some related questions -

Background;

I have 2 NTFS Windows partitions, the big one and the tiny one
I have 1 linux swap drive
I have 1 ext4 drive that SolydXK is installed on, and that is the drive where grub seems to reside.

I would like to install Ubuntu onto another partition so that I can boot from Windows, or SolydK or Ubuntu.

So I have come to realize that in order to be able to boot from Windows, Linux distro 1, linux distro 2, linux distro X, etc, etc.

I need to get rid of the ext4 partition, create an "extended" partition, then put "logical" paritions into that extended partition, then install the additional linux distros into those logical partitions.

QUESTION(s);
Since grub seems to reside on the ext4 partition that I am about to get rid of, what will happen to my ability to boot from Windows?
Can I still boot from Windows prior to setting up the extended, and logical partitions and installing the new linuxs?
If I just forge ahead and install the 2 linux distros, will the new grub see the Windows OS on the NTFS drive and add it back in at that point?

Thanks

yancek · 01-23-2014, 10:03 AM

Probably the best thing to do is to go to the link for the bootinfoscript in post 2 above, download on your Linux system after reading the instructions, run the script and post the output, a results.txt file. You haven't provided enough information to get sound advice.

What do you use to boot windows and Linux now.
From your post, it would seem you are using the Grub bootloader.

Quote:

Since grub seems to reside on the ext4 partition that I am about to get rid of, what will happen to my ability to boot from Windows?

If you are using Grub from SolydK to boot and your delete or format its partition, you won't be able to boot anything.

Quote:

Can I still boot from Windows prior to setting up the extended, and logical partitions and installing the new linuxs?

Don't know, can you boot it now?
Installing a new Linux system like Ubuntu, you would accept the default for the Grub bootloader device install and it 'should' detect your SolydK and windows. However, since you are planning to create new partitions, I would suggest that you post the results.txt file from the bootinfoscript. Not enough info on your setup.

syg00 · 01-23-2014, 05:07 PM

I have answered this elsewhere.

phazon · 01-26-2014, 12:12 PM

FOLLOWUP;

This is how I resolved it

I deleted the swap drive.
shrank the larger ext4 drive to about half.
made the unallocated space left over into an extended drive.
created a logical drive (large) ext4 for the next linux distro
created a logical swap drive
installed Ubuntu on new ext4 drive

Now grub shows three possible boots

1.) SolydK
2.) Ubuntu
3.) Windows 7

but wait, windows 7 won't boot from grub.

so I got this link form a forum moderator in the ubutnu forum

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2147295

following this fixed it. NOTE: this must be done from live DVD, not booted from HDD

I am good to go with windows and 2 linux distros.

ow if I could ust get the curser to keep moving when holding down a button in Solydk or get Draftsight to install in Ubuntu and get my wirless printer to print form Ubuntu.

Yay!

Because I had to delete the original swap partiton in order to bring the number of "primary" partitions down to less tan 4 in order to create the extended drive then logical drives, I had to "tell" my first distro (SolydK) where to find the new location of the swap partition.

After I deleted the swap partition, created the extended partition, created the logical partitions (one ext4, one swap [the new swap]), intalled the new distro (ubuntu), then fixed the grub by following the instructions found here https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

I booted up in SolydK (my first linux distro) and used to terminal to perform the following;

If and when a swap partition is moved (or obsorbed, and a new one created to take it's place), you have to "tell" your distors where it is. You have to "tell" the distros what it's UUID is.

This is so the other distributions can find it.

If the swap partition was deleted and re-made somewhere else in order to accomidate the insatallation of a new distro, as it was in my case, then the newest distro installation will more than likely already know where it is because you "pointed" to it durng the installation.

In order to "show" the other, older distro installations where the swap now resides, do this with each older distro.

While booted in the other/older distro(s), open the terminal and enter

Code:

sudo blkid

find (copy) the UUID for the "swap" partition.

"fstab" is a text document in a folder named "etc" in "root". Use a text editor to paste the UUID given for "swap", after running sudo blkid, into the fstab text document. Perhaps the easiest way to do this is;

Enter the following

Code:

gksu gedit /etc/fstab

this will open a text editor with the contents of the "fstab" document which is located in the "etc" folder

gedit may not be available in all distros so this command may not work, so open your favorite text editor, and open the "fstab" document located in "etc" in root. In either case, once you are looking at the contents of "fstab" in your text editor

replace the UUID of the one listed there for "swap" with the one you copied after running

Code:

sudo blkid

and save.

You have to do this while in the terminal window while booted in each distro, so repeat this for each of the older distros (not the newest one that already knows where the swap partition is)

Sorry I did not mention this earlier.

So that was my full adventure with moving partitions around and adding more than one linux distro to my HDD which already had, and still has Windows.

I am pretty sure that you won't have to do all of this if you have not touched the swap partition during the creation of a new partitions....