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So I boot up my computer after installing Ubuntu 13.04. Grub correctly shows me all available boot options and I am able to boot to Ubuntu. However, when I try to boot into Windows 7, grub hangs at a purple screen.

I have an HP laptop. It came with all four primary partitions taken up by the Windows bootloader, the actual Windows partition, one called HP_TOOLS, and another for HP Restore. I was able to back up and delete HP_TOOLS and the recovery partition, and change my disk type from Dynamic to Basic (GParted doesn't recognize Dynamic drives). I then booted into a live session of Ubuntu and made two partitions with GParted: one large partition for storage space that I could use between the two operating systems (sda4), and another extended partition (sda3) which contained Ubuntu (sda6) and it's swap space (sda5).

It currently looks like this:

partitions

I'm not sure if the second paragraph is actually relevant, I just want you to know all the variables in the equation.

Thank you in advance for helping this poor noob.

mattbdean
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  • Have you tried with this methods? – Lucio Jul 09 '13 at 03:09
  • How did you restore Windows partitions? And did you actually restore them? – Danatela Jul 09 '13 at 03:38
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    You could try using Boot Repair which is explained pretty well in the thread Lucio mentioned. Alternatively since you are having trouble accessing the windows partition you could try a boot repair from a windows rescue CD but then you should be prepared for GRUB repair after that. – sturlabragason Jul 09 '13 at 07:00
  • @Lucio I just did, with no prevail. – mattbdean Jul 09 '13 at 13:05
  • @Danatela I didn't restore any Windows partitions. – mattbdean Jul 09 '13 at 13:05
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    @DrA7 I used Boot Repair as you suggested and now grub loads Windows fine. However, Windows is stuck on the "Starting Windows" screen. – mattbdean Jul 09 '13 at 14:04
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    That means that Ubuntu and GRUB are fine. The problem is your Windows partitions. – Lucio Jul 09 '13 at 15:32
  • I got Windows to boot up by restoring it's default bootloader. The problem now is getting my system to recognize grub. Anyway, that's a different problem, and this one has been solved. So, DrA7, if you want to make an answer out of your comment, I can accept it. – mattbdean Jul 09 '13 at 18:17
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    The problem was that I had tried Boot Repair before, but when it asked me if it could delete one of the partitions, I said no and nothing happened. This time however, I said yes. Problem solved. – mattbdean Jul 09 '13 at 18:19
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    You should create a new answer, telling how did you solve the problem, and mark it as accepted. So this question remains as answered. Thanks! – Lucio Jul 11 '13 at 03:16

1 Answers1

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You could try using Boot Repair which is explained pretty well in this thread.

If you are also having trouble accessing the windows partition you could try a boot repair from a Windows Rescue CD.

After using a Windows Rescue CD you will in all likelihood need to use Boot Repair to restore a GRUB menu.

Community
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sturlabragason
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  • +1 good answer, I have a question, does "Windows Rescue CD" image available for download anywhere? (My Sony VAIO had preinstalled Win8, and there is no CD. The laptop vendor had provided 4 recovery disks, which I lost.) I have even put a thread for bounty, see if you can help me. – iammilind Aug 10 '13 at 14:06
  • A quick google query lead me to this though I can not vouch for the sites legality nor quality. – sturlabragason Aug 10 '13 at 14:24
  • But I am anyway getting the recovery environment without this CD/DVD. With which we can perform repair or open command prompt (though everything I have tried and no luck). Do you think inserting a CD/DVD for repairing will add value? If yes, then I will give it a try. – iammilind Aug 10 '13 at 15:12
  • I do not know if there is any difference between the CD or the on-drive recovery, wouldn't hurt to try though. – sturlabragason Aug 10 '13 at 15:18