Need help restoring OS?
Yesterday I installed Kubuntu inside a seperate partition from Windows 7 so that I could dual boot. It was working fine but I really wanted fedora instead of Kubuntu. So I started the installation process of Fedora and told it to remove linux partitions and install in that space. Well it didn’t work and now when I boot up my computer I only get
error: file not found
grub rescue>
And I’m on a lenovo x220t which normally I can press the ThinkVantage button upon startup to access system recovery and rescue, however that isn’t working, so I’m thinking fedora may have wiped all of my partitions.
Before I started I backed up my hard drive to an external hard drive so I have all of my data.
So what do I do from here? Did it really wipe my whole hard drive? If not, can I still access Windows 7 somehow through the grub rescue?
What I’m in the process of doing right now (waiting for download to finish) is downloading Ubuntu onto a usb and booting from the usb, installing a fresh Ubuntu OS and then importing my external hard drive. Will that work? Is that the easiest way? I have yet to find any helpful info through google so I figured I would ask here.
@ ken
….this is the 4th time I’ve installed a Linux OS…
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:03 am
if you did back-up your files. i’m hoping you can go to repairing your windows then select restore from a saved backed-up file or something similar.
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:33 am
No it will not work. Once you upset a Windows install you will need to do a total re-install to get it working as original, then start again with the other OS install. you must ALWAYS have a working Windows install before installing another OS, as Windows does not acknowledge the existence of any other OS.
January 23rd, 2012 at 5:21 am
Hello,
I am not sure why you would want Fedora… *buntu based distro’s share a vary large and common package (software) base. But anyways…
Ubuntu is ok, if you like the Unity desktop unless you plan on using the Gnome.
To many start off by simply downloading and attempt to install a linux distro WITHOUT trying to READ first. If you took your time to read during the install process your partitions should be intact. And then expect it to be like MacOS or MS Windows.
Installing Ubuntu will more than likely restore your ability to reboot to MS Windows. There is another tool that can restore the MS Windows MBR, but your not asking for that. Do not listen to the Myth-guided like “Colinc”. Most “fanboys” have not read anything, and usually promote only what they have been told than what they have researched.
You can always Google >> FixMbr
January 23rd, 2012 at 6:15 am
Take my advise stay away from Ubuntu it’s far from the best Linux Distribution
check this out it puts ubuntu to shame Click on take the tour, then watch the video then decide for your self
http://www.zorin-os.com/
January 23rd, 2012 at 7:10 am
When your computer can not boot up, first thing you would worry will be loss of computer data.
You can take the hard drive out and put it in an external drive enclosure so that you can connect it to other computer as usb external hard drive, then you can recover your files with file recovery program. One of the best data recovery program is 001 File Recovery, download it from:
http://www.001-software.com/file-recovery/
After you have all important data saved, you can reinstall windows to fix the boot issue.