Ubuntu

Grub 2 menu won't display, PC boots directly to Ubuntu without option to select another OS

Asked by Ahrar Siddiqui

I have a HP Envy, which came with Win8 pre-installed. I upgraded it to Win8.1 and then installed Ubuntu 14.04 from a live cd. This was done with some difficulty as this is a UEFI system. I was successful after modifying the BIOS, turning off fastboot and partioning the hard-drive. The problem I am encountering that the Grub 2 menu won't display and I cannot select to load Windows...and my PC load Ubuntu directly. I have tried the Boot Repair cd, but it seems to freeze at its start screen. I am concerned something got corrupted during the installation.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

What is the output of:

sudo update-grub

Thanks

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Ahrar Siddiqui (siddiqui-ahrar) said : 		#2

Generating grub configuration file ...
Warning: Setting GRUB_TIMEOUT to a non-zero value when GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT is set is no longer supported.
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-generic
Adding boot menu entry for EFI firmware configuration
done

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

Ok and the output of:

sudo fdisk -l

Thanks

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Ahrar Siddiqui (siddiqui-ahrar) said : 		#4

WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sda'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x775a8966

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 1953525167 976762583+ ee GPT
Partition 1 does not start on physical sector boundary.

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#5

I suggest you modify your grub configuration:
Open a terminal (e.g. by simultaneously presssing ctrl-alt-t) and issue the command

gksudo gedit /etc/default/grub

This should ask for your password as confirmation for an administrative action and open an editor with a grub config file loaded.
Scroll down a few lines and put a '#' character in front of the line "GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0", that is reads

#GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0

Leave all other lines untouched, save the file and close the editor.
The issue the command

sudo update-grub

You should see a similar list of messages as before (Generating grub configuration file ... Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic etc.) but no more the warning about "Warning: Setting GRUB_TIMEOUT ..."

Then reboot your system. Do you now see the menu where you can select booting into Ubuntu or Windows?

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Ahrar Siddiqui (siddiqui-ahrar) said : 		#6

Tried this command in a Terminal: gksudo gedit /etc/default/grub
I was told that the "gksudo" was not installed and gave me a command to install it.
I installed that and then ran the command again...I got the authentication page...typed in my password....and then nothing happened after that.

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#7

If you cannot use "gksudo gedit...", then try with the terminal command

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#8

Try:

gksu gedit

Then open the file

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