Fixing the boot loader is scaring the hell out of me.
whiteoxe
Posts: 794
Ive fpllowed all the directions at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot
its now come up with a graphical program but i cant change the <yes> to <no> with tab or arrow keys. So im just going ahead with it and praying. I could lose everything
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its now come up with a graphical program but i cant change the <yes> to <no> with tab or arrow keys. So im just going ahead with it and praying. I could lose everything
1024 x 576 - 72K
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Comments
The fundamental rule when doing anything at a low level with the hard disk (that means partitioning or changing the boot loading) is that you first make a backup.
I guess you are beyond that and committed to going ahead with what you have.
If you are having trouble, there are tools that are available.
First and foremost is to recover your Windows boot. Partition Magic used to be very good at this in XP, but may not work with Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.
But there are Linux-based hard disk recover tools in LiveCDs that can help and do work. I will have to do a bit of digging to tell you what is available. Some only identify the problem without touching anything; others help you reconfigure your hard disk to behave properly.
The foremost tool is to use GParted to confirm that all your partitions still exist and what their installation status is. If they do exist, DO NOT reformat any of them unless you are willing to accept the loss of all and everything on that partition.
And if you feel the need to reformat something, you will likely have to dump the Linux installation while preserving the Windows installation. You can do this the other way, preserving Linux and dumping Windows, but it may require that you then backup your Linux installation before starting over with another dual boot attempt. (IT is easier to install Windows to an empty hard disk than to one where Linux is already installed.)
I have said this before -- to have a dual boot with MS OSes, the MS OSes have to sense or feel that they have full control of the hard disk.
So it always seems to come down to doing the Windows install first and the Linux install last. If you try to reverse the order, Windows is going to shut out the previously installed Linux until some remedial measures are taken. The remedial measures are tricky, tedious, and require you learn more details... especially how the Master Boot Record works.
So where are you in this 'dual boot installation'?
It sounds like you started a LiveCD application that wasn't properly loaded to RAM and have not been able get your keyboard and mouse services properly recognized.
It might be best to just restart that application.
This sometimes happens. What is the program and what are you trying to do?
(It looks like you are trying to use Grub. That actually is one of the last steps in the installation process and all the hard disk partitions should be intact. But the Master Boot Record may or may not need a clean up.)
If you need help, try not to be in a rush. There is safety in going slowly and taking a day or two to learn what is supposed to do what as you repair the problems.
This is a forum for Parallax products. Why do you come here with that stuff? Aren't there Linux forums better suited to your inquiries?
-Phil
But when you get into rewrittng your Master Boot Record, having some actual human assurances along the way do help. I had to learn all this without any.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot
EDIT: Sorry Loopy, I meant Phil !!
and it is all kinda related to parasllax as the whole idea was to use Linux for programming Parallax products not just to switch to Linux. Though there were /are a myriad of other reasons.
MIke, I think Phil is just saying that Ubuntu forums would have a whole lot more people who would be able to answer your Ubuntu questions better than the rather limited number on these Parallax forums. If it's about Parallax, then this is the place.
However, I can't for the life of me understand why you are still stuffing about with installing Linux when it looked like everything was right about half a dozen times already but then you do something extra hoping that it will work and you are back to where you were before, but worse. Am I reading your situation right? If you want help with Linux you know I can sort it all out for you and if I have to I will come over and fix it good n proper. Then I will make the whole hard drive "read-only" just to stop you from messin with it
I think things are now going to flow much better. Im not to start playing around with command lines and ISO's or anything else without first finding out more . Ive wasted a lot of time. I must have seemed intent on self destruction , and it was probably boring to watch it all unfold n these forums. I'm a changed man
Lets hope they dont win tonight !
Thx again,
Mike.
the first year or so, I kept a spare computer available for fooling around with Linux as there is so much more to explore and I did break the installation several times with experimentation.
How else is one going to learn how to properly do a dual boot configuration than by trying and risking the need to reformat the whole hard disk?
Windows and Apple don't offer the depth of information and opportunities to explore. But there are risks, and every new bit comes with more software and concepts to learn.
I'd like to think that the more empowered the computer user, the better they can create new uses for Parallax products.
I'm with Phil.
Any more Linux posts unrelated to SimpleIDE and the Propeller Tool will be scrutinized. They will be subject to deletion.
Please keep posts on topic with Parallax products.
Posts, though not specifically about computers or Linux, that are just completely off the wall and totally unrelated to the thread in which they are posted are a bit of a problem also.
What? No one liked my Snake Oil ads? LOL. To be, or not to be moderated ...? ;-)
and all this criticism right after the thread here is effectively ended and solved on a happy note is..... weird of you who did it, not to mention dead unfriendly, happy days ahead i hope.
ever heard of a pm .... no i guess not.
1. is it true
2. is it kind
3. is it necessary
Good deal whiteove.
This will be marked as solved and locked.