I can't access Linux anymore after having reinstalled Windows in Dual Boot mode

ELABCYBER150 · 12-27-2012, 08:11 PM

Hello, Thanks for all the input about where to start with Linux, i installed the Ubuntu along side the windows xp pro 32 bit. on the start up i allays got the option to choose what OS To Boot From, but i had to Re install the windows, did not delete or format the partition where Ubuntu is installed, but i don't get the option to boot to Linux or xp anymore, the system starts up automatically to xp, do i need to re install the Ubuntu? or is there a way to get back the options to choose the OS on start Up? I appreciate the help. thanks.

alfredo10 · 12-28-2012, 11:22 AM

Hi!
Please boot from your live Linux (which distribution?), start a Terminal / Konsole and run

Code:

sudo su

to get admin rights; afterwards

Code:

parted -l print

or, if no output:

Code:

fdisk -l

Important: in both cases "l" is a lowercase "L" like list.
And

Code:

uname -a

and

Code:

cat /etc/*{version,release}

Hint: Please
copy and paste the commands into the Terminal;
outputs: Use code tags (last but one symbol '#') - copy and paste the output between the 2 pairs of [ ] [ ].

TroN-0074 · 12-28-2012, 12:03 PM

You will need to re install GRUB using your install CD or flash drive. I am attaching the instructions on how to do that in a PDF file, read them and understand them before.

The whole process is done through the command line so it will be fun.

Good luck to you

DavidMcCann · 12-28-2012, 12:06 PM

First, what's happened? When you start the computer, the BIOS looks to the Master Boot Record at the beginning of the disk to find where the operating system should be loaded from. When you installed Ubuntu, it set the MBR to point to its own bootloader, Grub, and set that up to give you a choice. When you re-installed Windows, it rewrote the MBR to use the Windows bootloader, and that doesn't give you a choice.

So, how do you get Ubuntu back? Boot up from your Ubuntu live disk and follow the instructions here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

ELABCYBER150 · 12-28-2012, 08:08 PM

Thanks to all for helping, about how to get the option to choose the OS on the Boot Process, i got it Back!! I'm not well command implementer get, i tried with commands but the system ask for administrator user, so i tried the other way, thanks to DavidMcCann Senior Member i downloaded the ISO Boot Repair Disk
fallowed some instructions from the disc and i got it fixed. my system is UBUNTU 12.04 LTS the windows is xp pro.here is the link if anybody else needs to fix the same problem i got in to, after re installing Windows

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

http://sourceforge.net/projects/boot-repair-cd

/files/

TroN-0074 · 12-28-2012, 08:38 PM

It is good to hear you fix it. One way or another the important thing is that is working

jmc1987 · 12-28-2012, 09:03 PM

You can also repair your MBR like this.

Boot live cd.

mount file system to /mnt

Quote:

sudo mount -t auto /dev/sdxx /mnt

sudo mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
sudo mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc

sudo chroot /mnt

sudo update-grub

exit

sudo umount /mnt/sys
sudo umount /mnt/dev
sudo umount /mnt/proc
sudo umount /mnt

sudo reboot

there is another way you can do it as well which is a bit less work

Quote:

sudo mount /dev/sdxx /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sdx # sdx is the drive your install to. On my system it will be --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
sudo umount /mnt
reboot

I know you got it fixed the easy way I just wanted to give you some alternitives just incase your way fails or some others to try.

ELABCYBER150 · 12-28-2012, 11:25 PM

Got It, Thank You So Much. You Power Users Rock!!!