Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Ubuntu, not Windows

Tags:
  • Windows
  • Bootable Usb
  • Ubuntu
Last response: in Linux/Free BSD
Share
August 20, 2014 5:36:41 AM

Basically, I've been having trouble with Windows not booting.

About 30 minutes ago, I downloaded Ubuntu, made a bootable USB, and it loaded straight away...

Anyone think there's a real problem with my Windows OS?

More about : ubuntu windows

August 20, 2014 5:44:53 AM

I have had a similar problem in the past where one of the two RAM sticks I had was bad, and it caused Windows to not install and/or boot. Ubuntu and Mint both booted fine (although, after a while, they would eventually crash - usually 8-10 hours from boot.

Is this a new build?
m
0
l
August 20, 2014 5:48:31 AM

Update time:
Ubuntu won't install. After restarting to continue the installation, it brought me back to the 'Try Ubuntu/Install Ubuntu' screen

And this is a laptop I've had for 4 years
m
0
l
Related resources
August 20, 2014 5:48:37 AM

Find and run a memory tester (memtest86 i believe is good). You burn it to iso (or flash drive) and it's a standalone system. Let it run a min of 5 passes or so and see if it finds any errors (may take a few hours tho).
m
0
l
August 20, 2014 5:49:43 AM

Well, that is really not enough information.

If I had to guess I would think that it is a disk problem (as you did not use your hard drive to boot). It could just be bad files, a bad drive, motherboard port - it is just a bit much to say from that brief statement.

If you can, try booting Ubuntu from USB and install and run gparted from that. you can have gparted test the disk and see if it finds any problems. It can try and fix them as well, but (as always) there is some risk involved.
m
0
l
August 20, 2014 5:52:34 AM

I'm thinking it's a bad drive as well. And I'm not doing anything the involves risks, I haven't backed up and I also have important data on the drive
m
0
l
August 20, 2014 5:59:55 AM

It looks like your hard drive could be failing given the conversation. You booted from USB fine, but booting from the Hard Drive fails.
m
0
l
August 20, 2014 6:22:37 AM

I've had an idea. If I put my 'failing' HDD into my PS3, would it format it and enable me to have 500 GB?

I'm absolutely definite my PS3 HDD works.
m
0
l
August 20, 2014 8:19:54 AM

What does Windows do when it fails to boot? Do you get BSOD? Before doing anything I would first boot into Ubuntu using USB, then make a backup of as much of the data as you can.

I also don't know what you mean by "after restarting to continue installation..." Once you go through the installation on your HDD, you should remove the USB stick. If you get the "Try Ubuntu" screen, that means it is booting to your USB stick.

I don't know why you would want to format the disk in your PS3. What are you expecting to accomplish with that?
m
0
l
August 20, 2014 10:21:53 AM

Firstly, no, I don't get a BSOD. If you read my other threads, you will get an idea on what happens when Windows boots.

Secondly, when I choose how to install Ubuntu, I chose 'Install Alongside Windows 7'. It prompted me to 'Restart To Continue Installation'

Thirdly, I want the HDD in my PS3 as it will be 400 GB more space. If the HDD is dead because of corrupted files, then a full restore in the PS3 may get it working again.
m
0
l
August 20, 2014 11:10:16 PM

ZephyrLM said:

Ubuntu won't install. After restarting to continue the installation, it brought me back to the 'Try Ubuntu/Install Ubuntu' screen


You are still booting from the USB drive. Make sure that you remove it after initiating the reboot. It should have stopped and told you that once it had finished shutting everything down, but you might have missed it or it might have just given you a blank screen instead (I've had that plenty of times).

EDIT: Oops, just noticed that someone else already said this. Nevertheless, that is indeed the reason you're still seeing the option to try or install Ubuntu. I don't think I've really paid much attention to the message about restarting to continue, but IMO it doesn't make much sense given that it doesn't install anything else once it reboots.
m
0
l
August 21, 2014 12:48:31 PM

Doesn't matter now, working again. Some reason, reaseating the HDD and RAM got it working
m
0
l
August 22, 2014 7:10:04 AM

Update:
Laptop won't turn on at all. It's as though the power button is broken. I'm so <mod edit> done :( 
m
0
l
August 22, 2014 7:37:45 AM

ronintexas may be on to something. I have had the no boot due to failed memory stick. If the battery is charged and it is not powering up at all, that would be something to rule out. See if you can borrow a working memory stick from another laptop.
m
0
l
August 22, 2014 1:05:20 PM

I have no more machines with Laptop RAM, so I can't borrow any. I wish PC RAM could fit, I have plenty of that.
m
0
l
August 22, 2014 1:49:25 PM

As far as memory goes, you can just test it using Memtest86+ at:

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

You can put it on a CD or USB memory stick, boot it and let it run. After about a half an hour it will have run enough tests to see if there are any errors. If it doesn't find any by then, your memory is okay.
m
0
l
August 22, 2014 5:40:32 PM

But my laptop won't even power on.
m
0
l
August 22, 2014 10:14:57 PM

You can always try a cold boot. Unplug the laptop and remove the battery for at least 30 seconds, then put it back and try again.

Aren't computers great? :( 
m
0
l
August 23, 2014 6:24:25 AM

Tried that cold boot method mate, still nothing :( 
m
0
l
August 23, 2014 6:47:10 AM

Real cold boot involve removing CMOS battery too.. Otherwise our may have a nice new paper weight
m
0
l
August 23, 2014 7:25:31 AM

ZephyrLM said:
I have no more machines with Laptop RAM, so I can't borrow any. I wish PC RAM could fit, I have plenty of that.


Do you know any friendly or family-related human beings that have laptops?

m
0
l
August 23, 2014 9:05:23 AM

My friends might, but they're all using their machines.
m
0
l
August 23, 2014 9:07:01 AM

You could burn Ubuntu to a disk which is much more reliable.
m
0
l
!