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I have successfully loaded ubuntu alongside windows xp but when I start up my computer there is no choice to boot into windows,why not?

user266597
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1 Answers1

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Sounds like your grub loader is messed up? Use nano & have a look here: /boot/grub/grub.cfg you should see both of your OS's;

A quick search has found this answer on how to repair:
Open the terminal and run the command 

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair && sudo apt-get update

Then install boot repair by running the command

sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair && boot-repair

Launch the boot repair after installing. For example, from the menu, use System→Administration→Boot-Repair

Good Luck!

Danatela
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heronro
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  • I'm going to need it.That sounds like rocket science or Martian to me.Why can't any of these damn things be easy!Thanks for trying. – user266597 Apr 08 '14 at 09:58
  • hmm perhaps it was the way you installed it? I know it's possible to install Ubuntu within Windows, but I am guessing you did not choose this option. When I installed it alongside Windows 7 I got a nice bootloader that lets me choose either Win7 or Ubuntu at bootup. – heronro Apr 08 '14 at 10:06
  • I just restarted again & I do get the blue hp invent screen flash up for a second or two.On it it says "<ESC=Boot Menu> <F1+setup>"Should I do something at this stage? – user266597 Apr 08 '14 at 10:36
  • heronro.......you are correct I did not install it with the windows installer thing.Maybe that's where I went wrong? – user266597 Apr 08 '14 at 10:40
  • Not really, there are just different ways of installing and using Ubuntu with or in Windows. If you attempt a re-install of Ubuntu using a USB key it will hopefully repair the issue with the bootloader, just make sure not to select the "wipe drive" option if you want to keep XP. – heronro Apr 08 '14 at 10:51
  • I hav'nt got a USB key but I might try reinstalling Ubuntu using the windows installer program.That is about the only option I have got because I don't understand all that jargon about grub loaders,boot repairs etc.:-( Do I have to wipe the old copy off first or do something like that? – user266597 Apr 08 '14 at 11:15
  • With the windows installer you can install Ubuntu as if it were just another application within Windows, but this would not be a dual boot solution. Can you get into Windows OK? – heronro Apr 08 '14 at 11:35
  • No I can't & opening a terminal to enter the advice given earlier just results in the demand to enter my password but it won't let me type it! – user266597 Apr 09 '14 at 10:57
  • when you type the password it won't display it on the screen... – heronro Apr 10 '14 at 10:09