Setting windows Vista as the default boot..

chezzer · 23-07-2009 11:18pm #1

Hi
I have recently installed Ubuntu ...

at startup there is a boot menu and it is defaulted to Ubuntu,
how can i change this back to Vista ?

there seems to be no boot.ini file with Vista ?

An Fear Aniar · 24-07-2009 2:15am

Inside Ubuntu, install startup manager, you'll find it in Synaptic package manager.
When it's installed, it'll be in your System/Administration menu. You can change the default OS to Vista.

The screen you see with the boot options is the Linux GRUB bootloader, which is why you can only change it in Ubuntu.

.

chezzer · 24-07-2009 9:43am

Thanks a lot ..

chezzer · 24-07-2009 8:23pm

After doing that I get

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

I run this and still cant run it ...

chezzer · 24-07-2009 8:27pm

actually maybe ill just remove it ....

how can i remove UBUNTU ?

An Fear Aniar · 29-07-2009 1:17am

chezzer wrote: »

After doing that I get

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.

I run this and still cant run it ...

Did you run this command, without the quotation marks?

sudo dpkg --configure -a

There's lots of info out there about removing Ubuntu from a dual boot:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=remove+ubuntu+from+dual+boot&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=1&oq=remove+ubuntu+from+

Basically just reformat the partitions that Ubuntu was installed on, then fix your bootloader with a recovery/installation disk. If you installed using Wubi, then uninstall it like any other Windows app, but you will still have to fix your Windows MBR though.

.

BopNiblets · 29-07-2009 4:02am

KGrubEditor!
In Synaptic.

djmarkus · 29-07-2009 11:26am

BopNiblets wrote: »

KGrubEditor!
In Synaptic.

Why the need for a GUI to edit one number in /boot/grub/menu.lst

An Fear Aniar · 29-07-2009 3:45pm

djmarkus wrote: »

Why the need for a GUI to edit one number in /boot/grub/menu.lst

It's a bit more than changing a number, as far as I can tell. You would have to copy and paste the Vista entry up into the default options section. Less hazardous to use a gui for people not used to editing config files.

.

chezzer · 29-07-2009 9:13pm

Sh!T !!!

This is an emergency now!
I read on another forum that in Vista I can delete a partition .. I did that and
now it wont start !!!

it says GRUB Loader not found
Error 17

---
nothing ... Stupid!!!! I should have known this would happen ....

I tried re-installing Ubunto so it would recreate the partition but still nothing ...

Any help appreciated !!

:mad::mad:

chezzer · 29-07-2009 9:24pm

OK i have access to Ubuntu through the CD ...

can i remove the PArtition the GRUB loader is trying to find from here ?

Can I Post anything that will help ?

like the menu.lst ??

if so where do i find it ?

chezzer · 29-07-2009 9:36pm

anyone can help me ?

chezzer · 29-07-2009 10:14pm

Windows Vista install disk didn-t help either ....

I can-t restore it .. my only option now is to reinstall windows and lose all my data

unbelievable ...

could i take legal action against Ubuntu ?

i mean the OS has destroyed my system .. this is worse then a virus ...

Tallon · 29-07-2009 10:17pm

YOU destroyed the System, not the OS.
Why did you go messing at it if you dont know what your doing?
Boot with the CD and backup your stuff, then stop messing with it!

chezzer · 29-07-2009 10:25pm

But i can-t access my Vista drive when i load the ubuntu CD ... and the Vista CD seems to have only the options to re/install ,,, (which will format all)
or repair -which already failed

here is menu.lst ... dunno if it helps /

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic
uuid d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic (recovery mode)
uuid d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic

title Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+
uuid d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista (loader)
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
savedefault
chainloader +1

Dacelonid · 29-07-2009 10:29pm

Insert your windows cd and boot into recovery mode, you should end up at a dos prompt, just type fixmbr and it will fix any issues with booting into windows

Don't reinstall just yet, it should be possible to fix it.

Tallon · 29-07-2009 10:31pm

Why can't you access your vista drive through Ubuntu?

Dacelonid · 29-07-2009 10:34pm

Accessing the Vista partition from within a LiveCD boot is not going to help. The master boot record on the primary harddrive is using Grub on the Ubuntu partition, which no longer exists. The only fix is to use the fixmbr command which will fix this issue

Dacelonid · 29-07-2009 10:38pm

chezzer wrote: »

But i can-t access my Vista drive when i load the ubuntu CD ... and the Vista CD seems to have only the options to re/install ,,, (which will format all)
or repair -which already failed

here is menu.lst ... dunno if it helps /

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic
uuid d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic (recovery mode)
uuid d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic

title Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+
uuid d5aa61e0-5392-46c3-a878-33a0fed2abdc
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista (loader)
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
savedefault
chainloader +1

This is the Grub boot options, and you could have edited this to set Windows as the default when you still had Ubuntu on the system.
Assuming you haven't actually deleted the Windows partition, fixmbr will solve this issue. Trust me I have had to do this myself

Tillotson · 29-07-2009 10:47pm

+1 Boot off windows disk, go to the recovery console and run fixmbr. I think you might also might also have to run fixboot. You'll be done in minutes...

You should contact your solicitor.

An Fear Aniar · 30-07-2009 4:18am

An Fear Aniar wrote: »

There's lots of info out there about removing Ubuntu from a dual boot:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=remove+ubuntu+from+dual+boot&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=1&oq=remove+ubuntu+from+

Basically just reformat the partitions that Ubuntu was installed on, then fix your bootloader with a recovery/installation disk. If you installed using Wubi, then uninstall it like any other Windows app, but you will still have to fix your Windows MBR though.

.

I did already point this out to you chezzer, in my post above. Don't worry, your system is fine, it's just that you need to fix the Windows bootloader.

.

chezzer · 30-07-2009 8:25am

This is whats bugging me ,, another friend of mine told me about fixmbr ...

it didn't regognise the command !!!

I tried from command prompt in the repair mode (from Vista CD)

X: - tried it in many different folders -- doesn't regognise the command...

nor does it regognise fdisk /mbr ...

chezzer · 30-07-2009 8:40am

hmmmm ... this should work ...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

chezzer · 30-07-2009 11:34am

Tallon wrote: »

Why can't you access your vista drive through Ubuntu?

I don0t know possibly its cos im using Ubuntu from the CD ...

Tallon · 30-07-2009 11:39am

You should still be able to access your drives and files

chezzer · 30-07-2009 1:23pm

I can only access a 18gb partition that was set for Ubuntu ...

on the 2nd install .. anyway im gonna try that mbr for vista solution.

if that doesn't work and i need to re-install Vista, will i lose ALL my C: drive or just the C:\Windows folder + subfolders ?

An Fear Aniar · 30-07-2009 3:35pm

chezzer wrote: »

if that doesn't work and i need to re-install Vista, will i lose ALL my C: drive or just the C:\Windows folder + subfolders ?

If you re-install you'll lose everything already on your hard drive.

.

chezzer · 30-07-2009 10:03pm

Damn it !!

the Bootrec.exe /FixBoot said it completed successfully but i get the same shiit ...

Error 17 ....

chezzer · 30-07-2009 10:20pm

now when i followed further instructions i dont get the GRUB loader error

i get

Verifying DMI pool data ... and nothing ...

also when i ran BootRec.exe /ScanOs ... it gives 0 as number of found windows installations ? so it appears i deleted the windows partition ??

impossible ...

chezzer · 30-07-2009 10:25pm

btw how can i save my data on C : before reinstalling vista ?

how can i access it on UBUNTU ?

bman · 02-08-2009 3:12am

If your windows install is gone then you can't get the info off your C drive any more. Reinstalling Vista will wipe everything (if there's anything left).

Btw, I'd guess you haven't wiped your Vista install yet so you're probably okay. Try this http://www.supergrubdisk.org/ . It's what I always use when reverting a machine back to Windows only. Works a treat and have never had trouble using it.

Setting windows Vista as the default boot..

Comments