Ubuntu
ubiquity package

Ubuntu doesn't show up at the boot

Asked by Alex Shatberg

I'm running Windows 7. Installed Ubuntu from the USB drive, all went fine. After the restart, however, Grub just doesn't show up and Windows boots as usual. Help?

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Ubuntu ubiquity Edit question
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bcbc
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Ubfan (ubfan1) said : 		#1

Did you change the device boot order in your BIOS? Move the usb devices up so they boot before the hard disk, and you should boot grub off the usb device. Your BIOS is accessible by typing a key right at the vendor splash screen -- the screen typically tells you which key, mine is F10. There may also be a key to select the devices (one time), which you can also try if you want, before going into the BIOS.

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Alex Shatberg (al-seward) said : 		#2

Did so. Zero effect. I can still boot LiveUSB, but it gives me no access to the installed system itself. Also, shouldn't I be able to run Grub without the USB?

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Ubfan (ubfan1) said : 		#3

Sorry, thought you installed to a USB. You should be able to boot Ubuntu without the install usb. You must have installed Ubuntu inside Windows using Wubi, so I'll change the link to Wubi so someone more knowledgeable than I may reply. As I understand though, the wubi install should have added a Ubuntu line to your Windows boot file (boot.ini?), which should be shown at boot time.

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bcbc (bcbc) said : 		#4

If you installed with Wubi and Ubuntu is not showing up in the Windows Boot Manager then right-click on Computer, Properties, Advanced System Settings, Startup & Recovery "Settings", then check that an entry for Ubuntu is there in the drop down list and make sure the timeout is not 0. DO NOT set the default to boot Ubuntu - if you do this with a zero timeout you will not be able to boot Windows again without a repair CD.

If you did not install with Wubi - then grub probably did not get installed. But I'll wait for feedback first.

PS it's a good idea to create a Windows repair CD if you haven't already.

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Alex Shatberg (al-seward) said : 		#5

No, I didn't install wubi, I installed Ubuntu right through the LiveUSB. That is to say, the 40 GB from my hard drive that are supposed to be partitioned as Ubuntu don't show up anywhere, they're missing from Windows.

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Best bcbc (bcbc) said : 		#6

You need to install the grub2 bootloader. It's strange that it didn't install it - maybe it went on the USB by accident. Have you tried inserting your Ubuntu USB and booted from it again? If it boots straight into Ubuntu it's probably booting your new install, if not then select "Try Ubuntu" (try without installing) and reinstall the grub2 bootloader as described here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2#Reinstalling%20from%20LiveCD

If you want help, please provide the output of:
  sudo fdisk -l (that's a lower case -L)
and
  mount

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Alex Shatberg (al-seward) said : 		#7

Appears to be working. Thank you : )