Ubuntu
ubiquity package

Partitioning issues with dual boot Windows 8 and Ubuntu 12.04 LTS

Asked by Glenn Crockett

While editing partitions in liveCD for a dual boot installation, I believe i formatted my windows boot partition accidentally. My netbook came preinstalled with Windows 8 64-bit, divided into 4 partitions; 600MB Recovery (sda2), 20GB Restore (sda5), roughly 350GB os, and 350GB data. I think i formatted the os partition, rather than the data partition (which was empty). When i rebooted to complete ubuntu 12.04 install, Windows Automatic Repair checked my system, but could not repair it. Neither OS would boot up. I have tried multiple different partition configurations posted in ubuntu forums, with no success. I can boot the liveCD i made, and run through install, but still cannot boot either OS after reboot. I ran a boot repair from within Ubuntu, which claimed to have successfully fixed the boot, but still no dice. While booted into liveCD, i can see both the windows recovery and restore drives, and would definitely like to recover at least my homework from them, because i have no time to redo it. Here's the pastebin it provided me with, if it helps at all. "http://paste.ubuntu.com/1421566/" I've looked around the forums and all over google, but can't seem to find a thread with the same issues. Please let me know if you need any more information from me.

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N1ck 7h0m4d4k15
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Glenn Crockett (glnnc) said : 		#1

Also, here is a screenshot of my current partition setup. http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff456/vodkalimes/Screenshotfrom2012-12-09185843.png
Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated. I'm fairly new to Ubuntu, and I'm pretty sure I've screwed up big time.

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N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#2

EFI mode with GPT table . I suggest to download and boot from 12.10 64bit.
You can find it here => http://releases.ubuntu.com/quantal/

As I can see the restore partition of 20GB is there (/dev/sda5) so you have to configure on how to boot from this partition (through BIOS) to restore Windows 8. Forget about Ubuntu right now. Just restore your Windows partitions (installation) from scratch.

Then you have to boot from Ubuntu 12.10 64 bit and install it AlongSide Windows.

Thanks

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Glenn Crockett (glnnc) said : 		#3

I realize that I'll need to work with Windows through BIOS, but Grub has taken complete control over everything. When i boot it up, it skips the asus screen and goes straight to the grub bootloader. No option to load into BIOS. I've tried f1-f12, the shift key, esc, every trick i found online. Also, I can't boot from any liveCD i've made, nor can i just do a fresh install of Windows XP. Grub isn't recognizing my disk drive, even after mapping it out in command line. I don't really care about the data anymore, I've already redone everything. I just need my computer to work. I've looked around, and found it may just be the best bet to format my hdd using a sata-usb cord and another computer. Asus support states that by formatting the drive, i'll restore the default BIOS, which they say is stored on the motherboard. Any thoughts on this?

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Best N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#4

Well , this is a weird problem (as you describe). Grub not installed inside BIOS , grub cannot take over , something. The pre-boot screen is pre-boot screen .

The situation you face , maybe caused by something else. Can you give us here the make and model of your motherboard ? As this is not a problem with Ubuntu , but I want to prove to you , that grub is for sure NOT the culprit of this situation.

Be aware that most of motherboards need to HOLD DOWN the key during PC-BOOT to go into BIOS configuration page. Not just press the key once. Most common keys are [Del] , [F2] , [F12] .

Thank you.

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Glenn Crockett (glnnc) said : 		#5

I made the mistake of spamming the button during boot, rather than holding it down. Got into BIOS holding f2 before powering it on. Had to mess with the boot options, but now i have the option to boot from disk. Loading up my LiveCD now. Thank you very much for your time, I'll be formatting my entire drive and doing a fresh install of 12.04.

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Glenn Crockett (glnnc) said : 		#6

Thanks NikTh, that solved my question.