Deleted partition, now cannot boot!

[kbronski]

So, I decided a week ago to install Ubuntu 11.04 alongside my Windows 7, which as you know, created a new parition. As you also know, Ubuntu likes to use it's own boot manager. Well, I decided that I was going to download and install the Windows 8 Build 7955 (as I found on Windows 8 Forums) onto the partition that was occupied by Ubuntu.. so, I downloaded the image and then, in my disk management, deleted the entire parition that Ubuntu was installed on. I went to restart my computer to finish an AntiVirus update shortly thereafter, and got a message saying something along the lines of "Grub error; unknown filesystem." I attempted a repair with my disc and nothing worked.

Right now, I am installing Windows 7 on the new parition in the hopes that I can get it working again, just to get at my files on the main parition. If not, I do have a SATA-to-USB adapter that I can use to manually extract the files onto another computer, and then just wide the drive entirely, but I'm really hoping I don't have to do that, as it would be SUCH a nuisance if I had to re-do EVERYTHING on my laptop. So, what I'm asking is, if the fresh install on the new partition doesn't work, is there any way to restore the original boot manager, or am I kinda dead in the water?

 

[Maguscreed]

Your current process will most likely solve the issue for you as the new installation should see the old installation and allow for it in the newly created bootmgr.

 

[kbronski]

Yes, it worked! I got my system back! Now, we'll see if I can delete the just-newly-installed system and still have my old one. o.o