[SOLVED] Cant access Windows 8.1 after Zorin OS 9 Install

digimike212121 · 03-08-2016, 04:22 PM

I installed Zorin OS 9 alongside Windows 8.1. I can't boot into Windows 8.1. I am in Legacy mode and I believe the problem has to do with that, but I can't access the BIOS on my Sony laptop. I installed Zorin in Legacy and Windows 8.1 is in UEFI. This is my first attempt at Linux and any help to be able to access BIOS to switch it back to UEFI would be awesome.

Report from "Boot-Repair": http://paste2.org/zUJV7EU8

Ztcoracat · 03-08-2016, 04:56 PM

Hi:

Try booting into Zorin and as root run this command.

Code:

sudo update-grub

Reboot and your Grub Menu should give you the option to boot into Zorin or Windows.
If you don't want to boot into Zorin than use the arrow key to move down to Windows highlighted and press Enter.

When I installed Ubuntu years ago I couldn't boot into Windows and updating grub did the trick.

-::-On my Sony Vaio I have to press 'F2' a few times as it's booting up to get into the BIOS.-::-

Ztcoracat · 03-08-2016, 04:59 PM

Looking at the report you posted; Grub was installed to your first partition of the MBR (master boot record) on your Western Digital HDD; which is what you want. Your Linux partitions look good.

Let me know if updating Grub helps.

digimike212121 · 03-08-2016, 05:59 PM

That did not help. Here is a pic of the error I receive when I try to boot windows. I can boot into Zorin just fine. Pressing F2 does not work for me. I have pressed all the buttons to try and get into BIOS and it will not work.

Ztcoracat · 03-08-2016, 06:22 PM

Sorry that didn't help.

Looking at the error:

Code:

The boot configuration data for your pc is missing or contains errors.

I think you need boot repair.

This link should help.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...aaedab8?auth=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_yF57tjfXI

If you don't have the Windows disks than you will need to create one.

yancek · 03-08-2016, 07:26 PM

Quote:

I installed Zorin in Legacy and Windows 8.1 is in UEFI

That's your problem. Mixing MBR and UEFI produces the result you have. Explained at the Ubuntu link below. Zorin is another Ubuntu derivative so the information should all apply. If you look at the link below, Section 5 discusses changing to UEFI. You will need boot repair.

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

The last line of your boot repair suggests this.

Quote:

The boot of your PC is in Legacy mode. You may want to retry after changing it to EFI mode.

digimike212121 · 03-08-2016, 08:30 PM

I also believe that is the problem. I have been using boot repair and I am getting the error message to boot into EFI. I have no idea how to get into my BIOS. I think I can fix it once I am in BIOS. ...

yancek · 03-09-2016, 08:02 AM

Generally, upon the initial boot you will see the logo of the manufacturer and at the bottom it show say "press ?? key to enter setup. If you don't see that, do you have a manual for the laptop? Check that and if you do not have it, just do an online search for "Sony laptop" but specifiy the exact model of the laptop in your search. Several solutions at the link below. Check the last post at the site which seems to have the simplest solution.

https://community.sony.com/t5/VAIO-U...ive/td-p/60063

Ztcoracat · 03-09-2016, 09:33 PM

On my Sony Vaio it's pressing F2 after the splash screen that says VAIO is large letters.

digimike212121 · 03-10-2016, 12:01 AM

I appreciate everyone's efforts. It looks like sometimes the easiest answer is the right one. I went on the link yancek posted and Sony Vaio laptop users have to hold down the assist button on the laptop. That is the only thing that worked. It was easy to switch to UEFI mode and boot right into Windows. Thanks again!

Ztcoracat · 03-10-2016, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digimike212121

I appreciate everyone's efforts. It looks like sometimes the easiest answer is the right one. I went on the link yancek posted and Sony Vaio laptop users have to hold down the assist button on the laptop. That is the only thing that worked. It was easy to switch to UEFI mode and boot right into Windows. Thanks again!

Glad to hear that the assist button worked for you.

I'll keep that in mind for the future.

Kindly, mark your thread SOLVED.