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gnome-terminal package

Big Problems with dual boot and beyond- really need help!!!! Please

Asked by Heckler on 2010-05-10

Alright, I have a Dell Studio 1747, ATI HD 3650, Two 250gib Hardrives. First hardrive (sda) has dell utility, recovery and Win7 installed, second drive (sdb) has Ubuntu 10.04. My troubles started shortly after installing Ubunut 9.10 on 2nd drive. Everything worked fine and then Grub would not load. I was able to recover several times using the live cd and then when I tried again I could not load Ubuntu, it went straight to Windows7. I did some reading and noticed that there had been a few bugs reported with this type of problem. I waited for the new release(10.04) to come out. I installed 10.04 over top of 9.10. This is where things start to get real bad. I could only boot into Ubuntu....again no grub menu came up. I COULD see my Wndows 7 OS in the places drop down menu and could access it. I tried to reinstall grub2 again....to no avail. I ran fdisk -l , it shows all partitions aswell as my OS being the boot. I ran mk-config nothing happened. I ran boot_info_script aswell as testdisk. Now the big problem is I don't really understand testdisk...it says that my ntfs files have been deleted.....i try undelete and it asks me where to put them(not in my windows disk) so I didn't go any farther. I opened G-parted and it says that my Windows7 partition has errors and now I cant access it through Ubuntu. I am stuck......I like Ubuntu however I have found this very very frustrating and may have to abandon it altogether as I need windows for work purposes do to the programs that I use. If I could use them in linux this would not be an issue. I really need to get into windows7 and at the very least recover my data....It would be very appreciated. I pasted some of the output from testdisk. I could also post from boot_info_script if need be. Please help!!

Another piece of additional information: along the way my recovery partition was changed from FAT32 to 16 and testdisk says that sda seems too large 434gb and sdb too small.....?? Any thoughts on that!

vOS: Linux, kernel 2.6.32-22-generic (#33-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 28 13:28:05 UTC 2010)
Compiler: GCC 4.4 - Jun 23 2009 17:48:38
ext2fs lib: 1.41.11, ntfs lib: 10:0:0, reiserfs lib: none, ewf lib: none
/dev/sda: LBA, HPA, LBA48, DCO support
/dev/sda: size 488397168 sectors
/dev/sda: user_max 488397168 sectors
/dev/sda: native_max 1857904 sectors
/dev/sda: dco 488397168 sectors
/dev/sdb: LBA, HPA, LBA48, DCO support
/dev/sdb: size 488397168 sectors
/dev/sdb: user_max 488397168 sectors
/dev/sdb: native_max 1857904 sectors
/dev/sdb: dco 488397168 sectors
Warning: can't get size for Disk /dev/mapper/control - 0 B - CHS 1 1 1, sector size=512
Hard disk list
Disk /dev/sda - 250 GB / 232 GiB - CHS 30401 255 63, sector size=512 - ATA ST9250410ASG
Disk /dev/sdb - 250 GB / 232 GiB - CHS 30401 255 63, sector size=512 - ATA ST9250410ASG

Partition table type (auto): Intel
/dev/sda: Device Configuration Overlay (DCO) present.
Disk /dev/sda - 250 GB / 232 GiB - ATA ST9250410ASG
Partition table type: Intel

Analyse Disk /dev/sda - 250 GB / 232 GiB - CHS 30401 255 63
Geometry from i386 MBR: head=255 sector=63
FAT16 at 0/1/1
Info: size boot_sector 160587, partition 160587
FAT1 : 1-157
FAT2 : 158-314
start_rootdir : 315
Data : 347-160586
sectors : 160587
cluster_size : 4
no_of_cluster : 40060 (2 - 40061)
fat_length 157 calculated 157
NTFS at 10/18/9
NTFS at 1968/50/3
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=240 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=2
Current partition structure:
1 P FAT16 >32M 0 1 1 9 254 63 160587 [DellUtility]
2 P HPFS - NTFS 10 18 9 1968 50 2 31457280 [RECOVERY]
3 * HPFS - NTFS 1968 50 3 30401 42 41 456775680 [OS]
Backup partition structure
partition_save
Computes LBA from CHS for Disk /dev/sda - 250 GB / 232 GiB - CHS 30402 255 63
Allow partial last cylinder : Yes
search_vista_part: 1

search_part()
Disk /dev/sda - 250 GB / 232 GiB - CHS 30402 255 63
FAT16 at 0/1/1
FAT1 : 1-157
FAT2 : 158-314
start_rootdir : 315
Data : 347-160586
sectors : 160587
cluster_size : 4
no_of_cluster : 40060 (2 - 40061)
fat_length 157 calculated 157

FAT16 at 0/1/1
FAT16 >32M 0 1 1 9 254 63 160587 [DellUtility]
FAT16, 82 MB / 78 MiB
FAT32 at 10/0/1
FAT1 : 32-8229
FAT2 : 8230-16427
start_rootdir : 16428 root cluster : 2
Data : 16428-67119531
sectors : 67119570
cluster_size : 64
no_of_cluster : 1048486 (2 - 1048487)
fat_length 8198 calculated 8192
FAT differs, FAT sectors=0-16/8198
set_FAT_info: name from BS used

FAT32 at 10/0/1
     FAT32 LBA 10 0 1 4187 254 63 67119570 [ Unlabeled]
     FAT32, 34 GB / 32 GiB
NTFS at 19992/97/10
filesystem size 456775680
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 28548479
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 19992 97 10 48425 89 48 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=321177600, size=456775680, end=777953279, disk end=488408130)
NTFS at 21819/18/24
filesystem size 456775680
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 28548479
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 21819 18 24 50252 10 62 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=350523392, size=456775680, end=807299071, disk end=488408130)
Disk /dev/sda - 250 GB / 232 GiB - CHS 30402 255 63
Check the harddisk size: HD jumpers settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (250 GB / 232 GiB) seems too small! (< 413 GB / 384 GiB)
The following partitions can't be recovered:
     HPFS - NTFS 19992 97 10 48425 89 48 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
     HPFS - NTFS 21819 18 24 50252 10 62 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=4
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=240 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=4

Results
   * FAT16 >32M 0 1 1 9 254 63 160587 [DellUtility]
     FAT16, 82 MB / 78 MiB
   P FAT32 LBA 10 0 1 4187 254 63 67119570 [ Unlabeled]
     FAT32, 34 GB / 32 GiB

interface_write()
1 * FAT16 >32M 0 1 1 9 254 63 160587 [DellUtility]
2 P FAT32 LBA 10 0 1 4187 254 63 67119570 [ Unlabeled]

FAT32 at 10/0/1
FAT32 LBA 10 0 1 4187 254 63 67119570 [ Unlabeled]
FAT32, 34 GB / 32 GiB
FAT32 at 10/0/7
FAT1 : 32-8229
FAT2 : 8230-16427
start_rootdir : 16428 root cluster : 2
Data : 16428-67119531
sectors : 67119570
cluster_size : 64
no_of_cluster : 1048486 (2 - 1048487)
fat_length 8198 calculated 8192
FAT differs, FAT sectors=0-16/8198
set_FAT_info: name from BS used

FAT32 at 10/0/7
     FAT32 LBA 10 0 1 4187 254 63 67119570 [ Unlabeled]
     FAT found using backup sector!, 34 GB / 32 GiB
NTFS at 10/18/9
filesystem size 31457280
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 1966079
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 10 18 9 1968 50 2 31457280 [RECOVERY]
     NTFS, 16 GB / 15 GiB
NTFS at 1968/50/2
filesystem size 31457280
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 1966079
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 10 18 9 1968 50 2 31457280 [RECOVERY]
     NTFS found using backup sector!, 16 GB / 15 GiB
NTFS at 1968/50/3
filesystem size 456775680
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 28548479
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 1968 50 3 30401 42 41 456775680 [OS]
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
NTFS at 3071/206/16
filesystem size 456775680
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 28548479
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 3071 206 16 31504 198 54 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=49348608, size=456775680, end=506124287, disk end=488408130)
NTFS at 19992/97/10
filesystem size 456775680
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 28548479
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 19992 97 10 48425 89 48 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=321177600, size=456775680, end=777953279, disk end=488408130)
NTFS at 21819/18/24
filesystem size 456775680
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 28548479
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 21819 18 24 50252 10 62 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
This partition ends after the disk limits. (start=350523392, size=456775680, end=807299071, disk end=488408130)
NTFS at 30401/42/41
filesystem size 456775680
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 28548479
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
     HPFS - NTFS 1968 50 3 30401 42 41 456775680 [OS]
     NTFS found using backup sector!, 233 GB / 217 GiB
Disk /dev/sda - 250 GB / 232 GiB - CHS 30402 255 63
Check the harddisk size: HD jumpers settings, BIOS detection...
The harddisk (250 GB / 232 GiB) seems too small! (< 413 GB / 384 GiB)
The following partitions can't be recovered:
     HPFS - NTFS 3071 206 16 31504 198 54 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
     HPFS - NTFS 19992 97 10 48425 89 48 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
     HPFS - NTFS 21819 18 24 50252 10 62 456775680
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=4
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=240 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=4

Results
   * FAT16 >32M 0 1 1 9 254 63 160587 [DellUtility]
     FAT16, 82 MB / 78 MiB
     FAT32 LBA 10 0 1 4187 254 63 67119570 [ Unlabeled]
     FAT32, 34 GB / 32 GiB
     HPFS - NTFS 10 18 9 1968 50 2 31457280 [RECOVERY]
     NTFS, 16 GB / 15 GiB
     HPFS - NTFS 1968 50 3 30401 42 41 456775680 [OS]
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB

interface_write()
1 * FAT16 >32M 0 1 1 9 254 63 160587 [DellUtility]
simulate write!

write_mbr_i386: starting...
write_all_log_i386: starting...
No extended partition

Interface Advanced
Geometry from i386 MBR: head=255 sector=63
FAT16 at 0/1/1
Info: size boot_sector 160587, partition 160587
FAT1 : 1-157
FAT2 : 158-314
start_rootdir : 315
Data : 347-160586
sectors : 160587
cluster_size : 4
no_of_cluster : 40060 (2 - 40061)
fat_length 157 calculated 157
NTFS at 10/18/9
NTFS at 1968/50/3
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=2
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=8 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=16 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=32 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=64 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=128 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=240 nbr=1
get_geometry_from_list_part_aux head=255 nbr=2
1 P FAT16 >32M 0 1 1 9 254 63 160587 [DellUtility]
     FAT16, 82 MB / 78 MiB
2 P HPFS - NTFS 10 18 9 1968 50 2 31457280 [RECOVERY]
     NTFS, 16 GB / 15 GiB
3 * HPFS - NTFS 1968 50 3 30401 42 41 456775680 [OS]
     NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB

ntfs_boot_sector
3 * HPFS - NTFS 1968 50 3 30401 42 41 456775680 [OS]
NTFS, 233 GB / 217 GiB
NTFS at 1968/50/3
NTFS at 1968/50/3
filesystem size 456775680
sectors_per_cluster 8
mft_lcn 786432
mftmirr_lcn 28548479
clusters_per_mft_record -10
clusters_per_index_record 1
Boot sector
Status: OK

Backup boot sector
Status: OK

Sectors are identical.

A valid NTFS Boot sector must be present in order to access
any data; even if the partition is not bootable.
repair_MFT
NTFS at 1968/50/3
ntfs_device_testdisk_io_ioctl() unimplemented
NTFS Volume is dirty.
NTFS listing using MFT:ery nice to be able to dual boot. I am still relatively new at this and any and all help would be very appreciated.

Question information

Language:: English Edit question

Status:: Solved

For:: Ubuntu gnome-terminal Edit question

Assignee:: No assignee Edit question

Solved by:: Heckler

Solved:: 2010-05-11

Last query:: 2010-05-11

Last reply:: 2010-05-10

Link existing bug

Revision history for this message

Heckler (spanky72) said on 2010-05-10:

Here is the output from fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x10000000

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 10 80293+ 6 FAT16
/dev/sda2 11 1969 15728640 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 * 1969 30402 228387840 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sdb: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00093937

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 29165 234259456 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 29165 30402 9936897 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 29165 30402 9936896 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Revision history for this message

jason argonaut (jasonargonaut) said on 2010-05-10:

you did what I did :-( ---> keep on re-installing grub-pc until you had 5-6 bootable partitions, each with their own //boot/grub/ config files. You don't know which is which.

I suffered the same thing for almost a week.

Excellent move to put Win7 on sda & lucid 10.04 on sdb. . . .

Easiest just to format the Lucid drive after saving all the data to the Win7 drive.

I'm not an expert, but try this: when grub comes up, issue a "root" command to see where your current boot is pointing to.

Also, inspect each boot location using the grub 'e' (edit) command. Several boot configs probably point to the same place.

Keep 1 of of the boot configs, preferably (sdb,0). Delete the others.

If you re-format the Lucid drive, choose a format Win7 can read (NTFS).

Revision history for this message

Heckler (spanky72) said on 2010-05-10:

You can see my frustration ..... lol . Only problem is Grub does not come up, it loads straight into Ubuntu. It seems as though my Windows drive is corrupted or something......can't even get into it with Hirens, Acronis....nothing. I even tried to install Grub on both drives....nothing. I really have nothing on Ubuntu just yet so I could sacrifice it but to lose windows 7 would be a huge pain the you know what....I would hate to delete Ubuntu and not be able to load windows at all.....may have to re-image it.

Revision history for this message

Heckler (spanky72) said on 2010-05-10:

I loaded the live cd......was able to see and get onto my windowsdrive however when I open the users folder it is empty. I restarted my pc......the os now shows up in Ubuntu on my pc but unable to retrieve any files as the users folder seems empty? Weird......very glitchy it seems.

Revision history for this message

jason argonaut (jasonargonaut) said on 2010-05-10:

Whatever you do, DON'T FORMAT THE WIN7 DRIVE, it's really not the problem. You haven't lost any data.

Also, you can't trust the info from Win7 disk utility, it's useless! Disk Geometry is probably not an issue, neither are reports from Win7 about FS integrity.

Have you got a Live CD or other linux-bootable medium? (or, have you got a 2nd machine to create a boot-medium?)

Boot from the live CD, then quit the installation at the 1st screen (Language), & open a Konsole.

Install a partition manager, like gparted, or palimpsest.

sudo apt-get install palimpsest
or,

sudo apt-get install gparted

Use Dolphin (sudo apt-get install dolphin) to inspect the contents of /boot/grub on each partition, and delete the dysfunctional configs.

Ideally you want to be left with only 1 grub config on either sda or sdb, but not both.

Seriously, you haven't lost any data until you either repartition or reformat the Win drive.
All you need to fix this is an external bootable Lucid medium.

Revision history for this message

Heckler (spanky72) said on 2010-05-10:

I have ubuntu live cd aswell as Knoppix...I'll give it a shot....thank-you

Revision history for this message

jason argonaut (jasonargonaut) said on 2010-05-10:

"users" is empty because you have so many different configs and mount points.

Before going farther: Caveat! DO NOT MODIFY any partition on the WIN7 Drive!

instead, try this:

Boot from your live CD, then quit the installation at the 1st dialogue screen. Do:

cd /boot/grub
less grub.cfg

(Don't edit grub.cfg, just peek at it using less or cat.)

At ~ line 35 you will see something like:

insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,1)'

Those are the partition type, root device, and partition # for that grub entry. There's a corresponding line in the grub boot menu.
Or, do this, to get the fs type for root partition:

sudo grub-probe /

If a boot to that partition on the Lucid drive did not work, then delete the grub menu entry and the grub.cfg in that location.
You will eventually be left with 1 grub location which you can repair.

Revision history for this message

Zach Kriesse (zkriesse-deactivatedaccount) said on 2010-05-10:

Check out this link before attempting to dual-boot again man. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

Revision history for this message

Heckler (spanky72) said on 2010-05-10:

Thank-you Jason and Zach,

I booted with my live CD, erased the grub file in sda(windows), I then followed the instructions outlined in the Grub2 wiki - I reinstalled Grub2 to sdb(Ubuntu). I then rebooted and updated grub. I now have a bootloader and it recognizes that windows is there.

The only other problem I have now is that I can't load windows at all.....I tried the repair disk and that did not work aswell. I had used testdisk earlier and may have deleted the necessary files needed to get into windows. I believe I have a backup of that process. When I was in testdisk it asks if i want to undelete.

Where would i put those files....not too sure......read through the testdisk literature but maybe I'm missing something. I should be able to undelete back to the origin of the file. It loks as though I can only undelete into Ubuntu! Any thoughts.

Thank-you again for all your help......wish I had seen that dual boot howto before...lol.

Cheers Chris

Revision history for this message

jason argonaut (jasonargonaut) said on 2010-05-11:

#10

Heckler, I doubt your Windows installation has gone away even though the boot mgr is gone.
There are many commercial partition wizards which can put everything back, as long as you didn't format or modify partition size.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/pm-express/download.html

Revision history for this message

Heckler (spanky72) said on 2010-05-11:

#11

You are right jason.....it's not gone...just have to fix it so I can get back into it. The main issue with the bootloader has been resolved (for now....hopefully no more issues). I appreciate all your help...thanks for the link will give it a shot and see what I can do. Keep up the good work and again many many thanks!!

Revision history for this message

Tom (tom6) said on 2010-05-11:

#12

Hi :)

If you have the Window Installer Cd or their "Recovery Cd" then be very careful! It should have a "repair" option which should be able to "fix" your Windows boot. Any Windows fixes of course destroy what they can of other OSs but in this case it's limited to the Mbr which is easily re"fixed" from an Ubuntu LiveCd. Just be careful to reinstall grub2 to the right partition again!

Alternatively you might want to try some linux answers and get a couple of distros designed to fix Windows problems
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=trinity
There are plenty of other distros listed in DistroWatch but i think Trinity often gets overlooked because it's not on their front page.

Good luck and regard from
Tom :)

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