Loaded Zorin 10 OS on Win 7 Pro machine that went wrong from the beginning. Zorin took over machine, exempting BIOS and related keystroke accesses. Then both Zorin and Windows passwords would no longer work. Next, Zorin would not let bootloader work, so could not use rescue disc or Zorin install disc. When I finally managed to access the Windows rescue partition, the computer now gives me <error: no such partition>, <entering rescue mode...> and a <grub rescue>(flashing cursor)>. I tried to restart and use Parted Magic disc, but the bootloader does not work. I think I may be able to salvage something out of this mess if I can get some help.
Since the computer is giving me a <grub rescue> prompt, what do I do to try and access the Windows rescue partition?
Will it perform a Windows rescue reboot? If not, what is my best option?
What do I type at the prompt to complete this grub rescue and what am I to expect?
I do not want to use the Zorin install disc again, no matter what. I am done with Zorin!
I have Parted Magic and a Ubuntu 15.04 install disc, if they can be used.

Zorin should have given you multiple installation options including Erase Disk and install Zorin, a manual installation probably referred to as Something Else and possibly others. Which did you choose? I don't know what you mean by "exempting BIOS" as the installation of any Linux distribution will not affect the BIOS. Were you using a standard MBR install and was windows 7 installed MBR?

If you have Parted Magic on a CD and the CD won't boot, it could be a bad burn. If you mean something else by that statement explain. If you can boot anything Linux, open a terminal and run the following commands: sudo fdisk -l AND sudo parted -l Post the output here.

The best way to access the windows recovery partition is to use the Recovery CD you created from windows or the windows installation medium if you have it.

How are you accessing the windows recovery partition? Do you see the windows boot menu, the Zorin Grub boot menu?

I used the first (recommended dual-boot installation) option when it asked if I wanted to install Zorin along side Windows or replace Windows entirely. I chose the dual boot option then Zorin ran its course, asking for language, keyboard, timezone, etc, like any normal OS installation. Win 7 was the MBR. I did not select Something Else as I am new to Linux, and followed only the recommended prompts, knowing I do not have the knowledge necessary to run an advance installation.
Once the installation completed, the computer would only boot to the Zorin boot option menu. I could not even access the BIOS, no matter what I did. Zorin would go immediately to the Zorin boot choice menu and would not even allow a boot from the CD/DVD drive regardless of the media installed in the drive, including the Zorin install disc! I would place the desired disc in the CD/DVD drive, turn on the machine and watch the computer boot immediately and automatically into the Zorin boot option menu regardless of media placed in the CD/DVD drive! I used Parted Magic, a gparted disc, an Ubuntu OS installation disc, and the Zorin Installation disc with the same result. The Zorin start would also ignore all BIOS access keystrokes.
As for the Parted Magic disc it works as advertised in my other two computers: it boots automatically and gives me a full menu when I place it in the CD/DVD drive and turn on the computer.
I was accessing the Windows recovery partition through the Zorin boot menu (is this the grub you mentioned?) before the <error: no such partition> message.
I typed the commands you proposed at the <grub rescue>> prompt and got an <Unknown command sudo> message
Just prior the the Zorin incident, I dual-boot installed Ubuntu 15.04 to one of my other computers that worked as the installation advertisements promised. My Linux Certified machine (ASUS manufactured & 12 years old) has an old Ubuntu and Win XP dual boot installation that I have used as a backup machine for years without incident. I got bored one day and started playing with the old Linux Certified machine and decided to learn more about Linux. I wanted the three Linux programs so I could compare different GUI's & distros and become truly familiar with Linux.

When your computer boots, press the key that brings up the BIOS boot menu. On my computer that is F12. On some Dell computers it is DEL.
There will be an option on that boot menu to boot the DVD drive.
Alternatively, you can enter the BIOS and set DVD drive as the first in the boot order - like it is in your other 2 computers.

As stated above, just putting a CD/DVD in the drive and expecting it to boot is not enough. You need to change that setting in the BIOS to put the CD/DVD drive as first boot priority. Zorin and other Linux distributions don't do anything to chips on the motherboard and have no effect on the BIOS.

The commands I suggested need to be run from a Linux system, either installed or a Live installation DVD or flash drive. They are unrelated to the Grub bootloader and won't do anyting at a grub prompt.

How old is this computer?

The problem with the "Install Alongside" option is that when something goes wrong, you will have no clue what it might be. There are a lot of tutorials on installing Linux including the one below which is specific to Ubuntu but I believe Zorin uses the same installer so if it isn't the same, it is very close.

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/u...all-guide.html

Thanks yancek. So far I've been unsuccessful in booting from the BIOS. I'm reading up on my installed BIOS and, hopefully, I will get everything right and on my way to fixing the problem.
By the way, I installed the same Zorin installation disk on my Ubuntu machine and was successful. Ubuntu, which would not update before, updates and is working fine after the Zorin installation. What I did to cause the Windows 7 / Zorin dual boot failure I do not know.
Again, Thank you for your help.