Can't boot Ubuntu after installing it and it looks like it isn't even installed in the disc management

Question

I Installed Ubuntu 12.10 on a 45GB partition, and when it asked me to reboot the computer, the dual boot menu didn't appear, it boot directly Windows 7.

When I checked the disc management, there was the partition where I installed Ubuntu with 23GB total & 100% free, and two other new partitions without any names, one is 20GB and 100% free and the other is 2GB and 100% free, it looks like Ubuntu isn't even installed.

I read about GRUB in some other similar problems but I didn't understood what's that, I've never used a Ubuntu or a Linux before, this is my first time.

screenshoot

Boot from the LiveCD again, open a terminal and enter sudo fdisk -l. Then copy all the output in paste.ubuntu.com and link it here — Lucio, Apr 14 '13 at 01:28
You can open the terminal either by Ctrl + Alt + T or by clicking on the dash and then search for the word "Terminal" — Suhaib, Apr 14 '13 at 02:10
Windows does not recognize Ubuntu's filesystem, it will always show as 100% free, even if Ubuntu is installed. It seems that you just forgot to install GRUB to the MBR. Try adding an entry for GRUB (Ubuntu) on Windows' bootloader. Of course you'll need GRUB installed to another partition, as described in the link. This can be done using a Live CD. — Alex, Apr 14 '13 at 03:27
You need to set something in windows in-order to fix Grub boot loader: enter link description here — morteza, Oct 20 '22 at 08:46

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered May 23 '16 at 20:42

Simple answer (for linux newbies): There may be multiple probable causes to your problem. It depends on many factors that you didn't cover. How did you created the linux partitions, how did you install Install Ubuntu? From LiveDVD? From LiveUSB? Manual or automatic? Does your PC have a BIOS or a UEFI? Is your partition table an MBR or GPT? Etc. I know all these questions scare you. It did to me too, a long time ago when i started learning linux.

First, Windows will never recognize ANY other operating system. That's the Microsoft way. Or any other partition types except their own. Windows, bootloader (winboot) will never recognize any other bootloader.

Secondly, Ubuntu (as well as other linuxes) will always recognize other operating systems like Windows and MacOS. Ubuntu's bootloader (GRUB or GRUB2) will always recognize winboot.

Every operating system needs a bootloader - a small software that tells the PC hardware the identity of the operating system, how it works and how to load it into RAM memory. An installed operating system without a bootloader is useless, because it will never be recognized by the hardware.

What happens when we install multiple OSes (each one with its' own bootloader) on the same PC? Well, one bootloader must rule them all. A single GRUB is sufficient for multiple linuxes. For a Windows + a linux PC, a winboot must be present and a GRUB too. Preferably on different partitions (because if one fails, at least you'll have the other still available). But the GRUB must be the ruler, because it recognizes any other bootloader, and winboot does not.

How to make GRUB rule the world? First install Windows. Automatically. Don't erase/merge any partitions. Secondly install Ubuntu. During Ubuntu install process, it should recognize the Windows installation. Choose install Ubuntu along Windows option. When asking you where to install GRUB choose /sda. That means the root of your first hard-disk. Highest priority possible! Don't choose any /sda1, /sda2, etc, because that means installing GRUB in the root of the specified partition 1, 2 ,etc and may result in conflict with winboot, erase winboot or not superseding winboot.

One last thing: Although it is sometimes possible to install Ubuntu to NTFS or FAT partitions, that is only advisable to advanced and expert linux users. Any typical linux (Ubuntu included) needs AT LEAST 2 partitions: a swap partition and an ext2/3/4 partition.The swap partition is always inaccessible, it acts as virtual RAM memory, the ext partition is where your Ubuntu will be installed. For adequate usage SWAP size should be = (1.5...2) x RAM size. EXT partition can be any size you want, but no less than minimum size recommended by Ubuntu.

Tip: The Windows' Disk Management equivalent in Linux is called GParted. And you can use it before (as in liveCD) and after you install Ubuntu.
For proper viewing of ALL partitions on your disk ALWAYS use GParted!! A had an unpleasant surprise with Win8: it automatically creates a recovery partition upon install that is not visible in Disk Management, but is recognised by GParted!

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 10 '14 at 13:47

To my knowledge you cannot install Ubuntu on an NTFS partition. This is likely what caused the problem. Deleting the Ubuntu partition visible in Disk Management and reinstalling Ubuntu might fix it. You should leave the space as free space inside windows, then create an ext4 partition from within the Ubuntu installer. Or choosing install alongside Windows should also work.

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 30 '18 at 13:44

I had same problem, How did I solve it?? I had 320GB hard drive in my hard disk only 4 partitions are possible. I already had 4parts so even after Ubuntu was successfully installed I couldn't start it that's because my hard disk has reached it's maximum capacity. So my suggestion is try deleting a partition then install ubuntu GRUB starts automatically

score -1 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 14 '13 at 10:14

The real problem is likely the UEFI system. Boot with ubuntu live and use boot repair. look at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair and use 2nd option. when it repairs system boot and after reboot, you should see the grub menu to choose between ubuntu and windows. then you may edit your partitions in your ubuntu with gparted or similar programs.

Can't boot Ubuntu after installing it and it looks like it isn't even installed in the disc management

4 Answers4