1 reply to this topic

[chrimiz]

Hi all

I recently attempted to install Kubuntu on a partition on my laptop using UNetBootin. The laptop had Windows Vista installed. However, upon rebooting after the Kubuntu install, i am faced with the GRUB loader with no option to load either Kubuntu or the pre-existing Vista. The steps i took are as follows:

1. downloaded Kubuntu 9.10 "desktop" 32bit version
2. used UNetBootin in hard disk mode, onto C:\ with the above .iso
3. rebooted when prompted and loaded with the unetbootin option
4. was taken to kubuntu desktop, ran the installer
5. created a new partition and swap-space from some free space.
6. here installer failed - some error regarding /cdrom. I overcame this by unmounting the the cdrom drive using `sudo umount -l -r /cdrom' (plus one other option i cant recall)
7. the installer finished and i rebooted when prompted
8. upon reboot i am faced with the GRUB loader with 3 options : two memory checks and one "vista" option that takes me directly to the samsung recovery options.

I am using a Samsung R60plus. More information (may be) available on request.

Any help or advice is appreciated

Chris

[was_jaclaz]

Let's solve the booting problem, than we'll try fixing the rest.

I presume somehow a recovery partition. the

samsung recovery options

got in the middle of the procedure.

You need somehow to get on that machine grub.exe (from grub4dos package):
http://nufans.net/grub4dos/
http://nufans.net/gr...-2009-10-16.zip

Copy the three files to the root of the hard disk.

Boot, and in the GRUB screen press "c" to get to Command Line.

type in it:

root (hd

[TAB]
should autocomplete to

root (hd0,

[TAB] should give you either (hd0,0) or (hd0,1)
Press [ENTER] to establish root to (hd0,0)

kernel /

[TAB]
and continue until you get (hopefully) up to:

kernel /grub.exe

press [ENTER]
If it doesn't find grub.exe, try agauin with root (hd0,1)
type:

boot

[ENTER]
you should return to the previous screen, but this time you will have loaded grub4dos instead of GRUB, press again "c" for command line mode.

Try

chainloader /bootmgr

[ENTER]
it should boot to your previous Vista, if it doesn't try after having re-established root on the "other" partition.

Then you need to read a bit the guide:
http://diddy.boot-la...os/Grub4dos.htm
in order to understand the possiblities you have to install grub4dos (if you wish to do so) as primary bootlader (replacing your current GRUB) or if you want to restore your previous Vista bootmgr, you may want to use MBRFIX:
http://www.sysint.no...ting/mbrfix.htm
if the GRUB is loaded by the MBR or bootsect.exe if it is loaded by the bootsector/PBR.

jaclaz