* emergency: Grub error*
 

ERIC! Why are you sleeping in Spain right nowww... Need ya!

I have a new laptop
Toshiba Satellite L455
Intel Celeron 900

My original Win7 was working fine. I adjusted partitions (properly) to add Kubuntu 10.04 as dual boot.

My Kubuntu had all kinds of bugs, glitches, ISSUES, even after the updates. So I decided that I'd clear that partition and re-install.

I guess I thought I was doing the right thing, but appearently not.

I opened Win7, and opened its partition manager (device manager?). I right-clicked on the SWAP partition, and selected "delete partition". Then, I right clicked on the Kubuntu partition, and again selected "delete partition". The two partitions, graphically, merged into one free space.

After that, in attempt to begin the re-install of Kubuntu, I restarted the computer. After the Toshiba logo screen, I received a console screen that simply says:

What did I do. Please help me restore my Win7 (already loaded with important work).

Thank you

I appreciate the reply, AlucardZero.

I have started the recovery on that computer. I hope this does not reformat/re-install.

My first two options are:

Which should I choose?

Please!!1 GRUB wizards!! Help me!!!

From the first paragraph on the microsoft site AllucardZero referred you to:


If the above method fails, there are additional detailed instructions on the page for which you will need your installation disc.

I suspect you wiped /boot along with Kubuntu and now the MBR points to an unbootable sector.

To restore the MBR, you can use the windows recovery disk. However, if you're planning on reinstalling Kubuntu or another *nix distro, you can rewrite the MBR during the reinstallation. Just make sure the windows partition is detected during installation. But you've already done this once when you first installed Kubuntu, so you should be ok.

Hello Neal,

Just like vigilandy said, by deleting the Kubuntu partition you also deleted /boot in my opinion and are stuck with a reference in your MBR (Master Boot Record) that points to a non-existing Grub. The options are like various users pointed out:
1. Use Windows recovery to fix the MBR
2. Reinstall Kubuntu (or other Linux) and make sure it detects Windows partition. The installer will install Grub to the MBR and normally will detect Win7 too. As pointed out you already did that once so shouldn't be a problem.
2. Download a utility CD like Hiren's BootCD or Ultimate Boot CD and use the MBR utilities. (only use this option if you really know what you're doing.

Based on your knowledge, I'd go for 1 or two and since you're a big Linux fan I'd go for 2. If you didn't like Kubuntu try another distro like SimplyMEPIS 8.5. That one's also based on Debian, comes with KDE, has an easy learning curve and comes with lots of wireless drivers included.

Kind regards,

Eric

OK, now,

The Kubuntu installation, for some reason has managed to boot.

My question:

Will re-installing Kubuntu re-generate the mbr, and allow me to resume usage of Win7, with all my file in tact????

Thank you

I haven't done a *buntu installation in a while, but when it's installing the bootloader, by default it will rewrite the MBR and since it will probable detect your windows partition, it will automatically add that boot option.

As long as you haven't touched the windows partition, all the data should be intact.

Ok thank you for the re-assurance, Vigilandy!
And thank you everyone for your time. Thumbs up!

Hare Krishna!!!


.

Wait...
NOT solved until I confirm that both OS are in tact and operable. Install done, checking now...

Yes, all is good in both Win7 and Kubuntu (except for the same exact issues as the last install, namely the firefox) (see my other threads).
Thank yous

Hi Neal,

Great to hear you got it solved!! Enjoy Linux!

Kind regards,

Eric