Stupid boot situation

[Northorne]

When booting my computer I am asked if I want to boot 7 or linux.
This is a problem for two reasons; first both OSs are on the same partition (HardDisk 0). Second I want to simply boot 7 by default and not be asked to choose on startup.

I created this problem when I was playing around with making a Linux "live" usb flash drive. I think unetbootin (the software for making the flashdrive into a bootable linux os) perhaps screwed up and put a couple of Linux boot files on my 7 partition. So now when my laptop goes looking for boot files it finds both 7, and Linux boot instructions on partition one.

Can anyone tell me how to fix this? I tried looking for the Linux boot files but I dont know what they look like. The less invasive/time intensive the advice is the better!

1st post, nice to meet ya'll
Thanks alot!

PS. I wasnt sure which forum to put this is in. I hope no one is offended.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Northorne, welcome to Seven Forums!





Will you please post a snip/screen-shot of the entire disk management drive map so we can see what you have going on, before any suggestions are made?


How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[Northorne]

I would love to! Although I'm not sure exactly what your asking for. Could you point me in the direction of the disk managment drive map?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I would love to! Although I'm not sure exactly what your asking for. Could you point me in the direction of the disk managment drive map?

In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a snip of that, it should look similar to this.

click to enlarge

​

 

[DocBrown]

Start :ar: Computer Management :ar: Disk Management

 

[Northorne]

 

[Northorne]

There we go, sorry it took a minute

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

View attachment 93434

Did you create that 14.65GB partition and if so whats on it?

 

[Northorne]

The 14 gig partition is the Asus recovery partition, its been there since I baught the machine. I've been meaning to replace it with a paragon backup capsule but havent gotten around to it.
Here is a screenshot of the boot event itself. It might help.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

OK, I don't have enough experience with Grub to give advice about it so I'll let someone else help you from here on in; keep checking back as it shouldn't take too long.


Just so we'll know going forward, you don't want to have to reinstall at all, do you?

 

[Northorne]

No I'd really rather not, I just dont have that kind of time.

Based on the fact that the backup partition (14gig) is partition 1 on the only HD. And that the image of the boot selection above says both OSs are on "Primary 01". I think that may be where the linux boot files are hiding. I've attached an image of the contents of the 14gig backup partition (partition 1). Can anyone spot things that arent supposed to be there?

 

[gregrocker]

I don't see the GRUB or Linux files in the Recovery Partition but am not a Linux expert so maybe you should ask in a Linux forum and provide complete screenshots of both partitions. Win7 partition is the System Active partition from which it is booting.

Try making your factory Recovery Disks, then running the Recovery Partition to see if it will even run (just cue it up). If it won't work at all, then you can wipe that partitiion with free http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html. Wipe with at least one set of zeroes to overcome GRUB corruption on HD.

You may need to repair the Win7 MBR using the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

If it turns out the Linux or GRUB files were placed on Win7 partition, then you may be able to resolve this by running a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R from the Win7 desktop, which will reinstall Win7 while keeping all files, programs and settings in place. Hopefully the reinstall will overwrite the Linux files.

 

[Northorne]

gregrocker,
Awesome, thank you. But one question.
Are you saying that the boot files for my main 200+gig 7 partition are actaully in that backup partition?

At this point I just want to wipe that 14gig backup partition and see what happens. That wont get me into immediate trouble will it?

Thanks again

 

[gregrocker]

We have to go by your screenshot which shows that everything is contained in the Win7 partition: System, Active, Boot, etc. However the screenshot could be in error as it shows Recov partition is 100% free space.

Because the Recovery partition sits on the boot sector, it might be necessary to repair the MBR once you wipe that partition.

Here are the steps I would follow:

Back up a Win7 System image externally.

Boot PW CD, select 1 for screen res, rightclick Recovery Partition, select Wipe, apply zeroes to overcome possible GRUB corruption, OK, Apply.

Next rightclick Win7 partition to Resize and take up the unallocated space to the left by dragging the left grey border over it, OK, Apply.

Now take one last look at Win7 partition to make sure it is still marked Active. If Win7 will not now start, then boot into the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times to repair the MBR to the Active partition. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

If you still get the GRUB menu, then run the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

As Greg has already posted these, have a look at Option Three to see how to run a wipe.


Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD




Also have a look at this one to get some further understanding of the process.


Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to Repair Boot Issues




Thanks for picking up my slack Greg.

 

[Northorne]

Thanks fellas, I think your suggestions should solve the problem. I'll take a crack at it after work and let ya'll know what happens!!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Do post back with an update.

 

[dolittle]

If you don't what to have a Linux choice in the boot loader. Boot with your 7 dvd or build a 7 repair disc and run bootrec.exe /fixmbr from the Command Prompt.
Say Yes (press Y )and restart.
Let us all know.
You can redo the partitions with windows manager.

 

[gregrocker]

If you don't what to have a Linux choice in the boot loader. Boot with your 7 dvd or build a 7 repair disc and run bootrec.exe /fixmbr from the Command Prompt.
Say Yes (press Y )and restart.
Let us all know.
You can redo the partitions with windows manager.

The bootsect and bootrec commands are automated in Win7 Startup Repair, but this is certainly worth a shot as it might rid you of GRUB on its own.

However be aware that GRUB can play havoc with the Win7 bootloader until it is wiped from the HD, or overwritten with a Repair Install or Reinstall.