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-   -   After Ubuntu installation a HDD disappeared (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/after-ubuntu-installation-a-hdd-disappeared-607025/)

blacksimos 12-15-2007 04:10 PM

After Ubuntu installation a HDD disappeared
 
Hi!

I installed Ubuntu 7.10 (Dvd version). After this installation, there was NO option for boot menu, when I started my computer. Therefore, I coundn't access to Windows XP. I have 2 HDD: a 80 GB (2 partitions) and a 200 GB (1 partition). Although, I installed Ubuntu on the first (small) HDD, it looks like that it disappeared. The only drive I can explore from Ubuntu is the second one!

So I decide to fix the bootloader with my installation Windows XP CD and I couldn't, because when CD tries to search for the system hardware, the monitor turns black and NOTHING happens.

Any idea how I can unistall Ubuntu and return to Windows?

PS. I think that Ubuntu has formatted the partition with Windows installation

cmnorton 12-15-2007 04:34 PM

Look around
 
If you have one, use your live CD or a CD like Puppy or Knoppix to examine your original hard-drive. You might also be able to do this from your installed Ubuntu, but my personal preference is to use a CD-based Linux, like Knoppix, Puppy, or the Ubuntu live CD, mount, and then examine the hard drives to see what's on them.

I could be the installed just defaulted your /etc/fstab, so one of the hard-drives is not mounting. It's hard to diagnose without seeing the contents of your fstab and an output of df.

Whatever you do, don't panic. Your partitions might still be usable and not overwritten, but you'll have to examine your /boot/grub/menu.lst on what you believe was the original boot partition to see what's what.

saikee 12-15-2007 04:43 PM

This is a wild story one that can only be explained by unfamiliarity with Linux.

In Ubuntu if you click Accessories/terminal and type
Code:

sudo fdisk -l
you will see both hard disks no matter what you have been doing with them. Even a raw hard disk, a USB device or an external hard disk will all show up there, indicating the hard disk has not disappeared. You simply do not know how to mount it yet.

AceofSpades19 12-16-2007 01:58 AM

I bet it was because ubuntu hides the grub menu by default, try pressing Esc when it says to access the boot menu


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