Windows 7: Puran Defrag Error

Good idea. I was only having issues when the system tried to hibernate. As I understand it, it was due to the system reserved partition being the first partition but not being where GRUB 2.0 existed. That threw Windows for a loop because Windows expects the first partition to be the boot partition...



I am now having a horrible time trying to restore my files through wubi because when I do so, it hoses the GRUB menu on the image. I cannot do the normal repair operations through a repair CD since the GRUB exists in an image and not on a partition by itself. Looks like I may have to learn how to fix it the old fashioned way by backing up my GRUB data and trying to copy the new over the old. If only ROS worked with Windows...

All the people I work with love Linux and hate Windows. Having more of a Windows background and knowing how to avoid the pitfalls that most fall into that cause them to hate Windows is leaving me with the opposite feelings where I love Windows and hate Linux. I'd like to learn to love both, but I really need to learn more about how Linux works before I can do so.

The ultimate solution is to multi-boot Windows and Linux on separate HD's booted only via the BIOS.

I agree. The problem is I am doing this on a laptop, so that is not an option.

Gotcha.

A bit late and theoretically OT, I know, but stumbled on this thread and wanted to share some experience you both may be really interested on. I'm amazed none did say this.

You're soo retro, Greg. Linux distros can be run from USB drives as well as HDDs without a huge fuss ("usb drive" can be either flash or a USB HDD, does not matter, although while faster-booting the flash memory life will be somewhat shorter than its HDD brethren).
Ok, maybe it's not a good idea for servers, but you won't notice any stuttering unless you are running some seriously write-read intensive applications (like say rendering images or movies). This is true for Win 7 running from a USB as well.

Ubuntu wiki on the matter. Just google to find better stuff, like say the awesome YUMI (read the "known issues" at the end of the page to see how to add persistence to the Ubuntu you installed that way).

Basically all modern BIOS allow boot from USB, in case it does not (or it hates your particular USB device for arcane and unfixable reasons, not uncommon and very frustrating) or want a more flexible interface, or still want to run stuff from partitions in the same internal HDD you can install the good ol plopboot manager (yes, navigating that site is a pain, but is worth it).
I'm nearly totally sure that if you keep your linux distro Grub2 in the linux partition, and install plopboot in the MBR, linux should work without screwing up Win 7. (never used Grub2, only Grub and Linux Puppy plus win 7 in that setup)
At least I have no idea on how it could since it wouldn't be interacting with Windows 7 anymore (since it would be now plopboot's job).

To run linux you tell it to boot from the linux partition (that has GRUB2 or any other linux bootloader in it), if you want to boot Win 7 you have to tell plopboot to boot the partition that contains the post-MBR Windows 7 bootloader, which is in the "system reserved" partition, not in the other. (unless you did manage to install Win 7 all in the same partition like me and in that case the second-stage bootloaders are in there) You should already know this. But other readers may not.

I have no interest in Linux at all. I don't know why you would assume I should know, or care, at all.

This is a WIndows 7 Forums, which also happens to be the top tech forum on the web because we focus like a laser on Windows 7.

Linux is a buggy bother so I have no doubt they have forums for Linux, but this would not be that forums.

Have a nice day.

well, you were linking to pages with tutorials about running Windows 7 and ubuntu together to fix an issue with win 7, so I thought you might be interested in the new safe thing to recommend to guys having the same issues with Windows 7 and their linux of choice.

If you find a better tutorial I'll gladly link it.

Sorry I was blunt but I felt badly that I didn't have time or interest in your throughtful information on Linux. Please stick around to help others with it as the threads never stop coming.

I previously linked Dual-Boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu in Perfect Harmony and Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7 from our moderator which seemed helpful.

Recently a Guru here more knowlegeable about Linux suggested this is better with the latest GRUB: Dual Boot Ubuntu - EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

I have noticed the frequency of GRUB corrupting Windows 7 beyond repair has fallen greatly, possibly because of the new version.

Greg, I think you are right - GRUB2 seems far less likely to interfere with the Windows bootloader.

I've been doing extensive testing on setting up a Windows 7/Linux Mint13 dual-boot on one single HDD in a laptop, and after a few weeks now its rock-solid. Its actually quite easy.

I'm in the process of writing up our own tutorial for this - its essentially along the lines of the EasyBCD one but gives detailed steps for partition preparation using PW7, and laying it out so that inexperienced users could feel comfortable doing this. I just want to test the effect on Windows bootloader when deleting the Linux partition alittle bit more, but so far its looking really good.

From what I can tell, the days of GRUB screwing the Windows bootloader are over, thanks to the rewrite of GRUB2. I'll keep you posted.

Regards,
Golden

Thanks, Colin.

Please let us know when your tutorial is ready.