Ubuntu

Problems installing Ubuntu on a near bricked computer

Asked by ben Schweitzer

My brother installed xubuntu on a dell Inspiron N7110 laptop alongside the preloaded windows 7 operating system. He then decided to change from xubuntu to Ubuntu. Trying to do this he wiped the xubuntu partition after burning an USB with the Ubuntu ISO. After discovering that installing had a problem where some components of the install reported that they were broken and may break or give problems with the install he tried to use windows. Because he wiped the xubuntu partition GRUB was deleted and is stuck at the grub rescue terminal. He then asked me to help him fix it. I do not have a windows 7 disc to restore the windows boot loader and can not at this time make another Ubuntu live USB. Any suggestions?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

You donvt burn a USB stick. You burn a CD because the lazer used to write the data to the CD is much more intense than the one to read. USB storage is magnetic so no burning happens.

You may need another PC to recreate the Xubuntu USB stick. If you wanted to switch to XFCE you could have simply installed xfce4 using apt-get or software centre then log in to the new session in lightdm.

Be sure to MD5 test the ISO you download.

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ben Schweitzer (ben-schweitzer) said : 		#2

You sound like you are saying that to go to xubuntu from Ubuntu. This PC is going xubuntu TO Ubuntu

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Ubfan (ubfan1) said : 		#3

If you can successfully run the USB you have in the "try" mode, maybe you could reinstall grub to a Windows Tool or recovery FAT partition. Just make a directory named "boot" there, and install grub there. See man grub-install for the appropriate switches to give for indicating the location to install the grub files (--boot-directory=/mnt/sd??/boot mounting the partition in /mnt with the same name as whatever your device and partition is).

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ben Schweitzer (ben-schweitzer) said : 		#4

But the issue is that the trial only runs once

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/09/live-usb-sticking-grub-2-video

May help you reinstate the Grub to the MBR and the OS will boot (assuming Ubuntu is installed correctly).

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ben Schweitzer (ben-schweitzer) said : 		#6

I don't think any of you are understanding the problem correctly. Ubuntu is NOT currently installed on the system. Grub IS in the MBR. Grub IS NOT installed on he hard drive. The windows boot loader is NOT accessible. The live session coly worked once. The install on the USB is BROKEN. I can not make a new one for at least five days.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#7

Then I suggest you use a Windows CD to reinstate the Windows boot loader
 A Windows forum can advise how.

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ben Schweitzer (ben-schweitzer) said : 		#8

I don't have a windows CD

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