Ubuntu

Unable to dual boot Ubuntu with Windows 7

Asked by wordsmyth2

My problem is as follows: I had Ubuntu 12.04 installed on dual boot with Windows 7, and this worked fine. However, I had a problem with Windows 7 that required a re-installation, and when I tried to re-install Ubuntu 12.04 as a dual boot, Ubuntu didn't recognise Windows 7: 'There is no operating system installed....' How can I fix this? Please advise....someone?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

Did you leave free space to install Ubuntu to?
Did you resize your Win7 partition in Windows to make free space for Ubuntu?
Have you chkdsk'd your NTFS partition?

Thanks

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#2

       Hi Parsnip:
       Thanks for the prompt ack, as always.

      The Windows 7 recovery disks supplied with my Dell laptop don't
    allow resizing partitions or anything else, for that matter: they
    just go straight ahead and hog the entire hard disk to install. And
    when I use Partition Manager on the Ubuntu 12.04 installation disk,
    it doesn't recognize the Windows installation. Damned frustrating,
    non? Didn't have this problem when I dual-booted with Windows XP ...

    wordsmyth

On 10/08/13 19:16, actionparsnip wrote:
> Your question #233806 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/233806
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> actionparsnip requested more information:
> Did you leave free space to install Ubuntu to?
> Did you resize your Win7 partition in Windows to make free space for Ubuntu?
> Have you chkdsk'd your NTFS partition?
>
> Thanks
>

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

then resize the NTFS in the installed Windows7 and chkdsk the partition after a reboot.

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#4

Will try this, see if it works okay. Many thanks

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#5

Hello again, considerably dispirited. When I run DISK UTILITY from the Ubuntu 12.04 Live USB, it recognises the NTFS partion, free space and etc.. But when I try to install Ubuntu it doesn't recognise anything and wants to erase the entire disk. I've used Ubuntu for several years and not had a problem, but some newbies are bound to strike this problem, and with no simple, easy way to install Ubuntu as a dual boot, like me they'll just give up. Why can't Ubuntu provide a simple, non-fussed way of doing this - THE WAY IT USED TO BE? The on-screen installation instructions STILL claim the program can be easily installed as a dual boot. Easy, my eye ....

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#6

P.S. to the above: If first you don't succeed ......you keep trying, and at last -you SUCCEED ! Having kept away from the problem for a goodly period, I tried downloading a freeware Disk Re-sizing tool, which enabled me to re-size the Windows 7 installation to use the entire disk - 500GB. And lo! When I tried again to install Ubuntu 12.04, it recognised Windows and allowed me to dual boot! SO: best advice to those encountering the same problem: If you have windows 7 or 8 installed, first make sure it occupies your entire hard disk. If not, re-size it with a freeware programme. Thanks to all those who gave advice on the problem: you helped me muddle my way through this one. Problem was caused by the Windows Recovery disk re-installing over the previous Windows installation, which had used only 50% of the hard disk, the other half being Ubuntu 11.10....and unrecognised.