Search
Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

MBR destroyed by Linux!

Tags:
Last response: in Windows 7
Share
February 8, 2013 6:07:07 AM

Hi I have searched the forums but i believe this is a new topic. I run windows 7 64bit and needed to install Linux in a dual boot setup for class. grub installed a windows XP MBR and now windows 7 will not boot. when i boot to my windows 7 CD to repair my MBR it said that the tools on this disk are not compatible with this version of windows because it thinks i have XP now! are there any suggestions on fixing the MBR without having to wipe my HD? I am at my wits end!

More about : mbr destroyed linux

Best solution

February 8, 2013 9:50:34 AM

grub does not install a MBR other than his own. Big distros have scripts to detect a windows bootable partition and boot it.
So my question is, how did you make space for linux and how was windows installed (OEM or clean).
Next question is what kind of partitions are there? There are 2 ways of booting and 2 way of partitioning. Linux can use any of the 4 combination while windows only 2. Booting from a CD can be different that booting from the HDD in this case (and could be the reason why windows install CD gives that error). As forther information, when you manually choose a boot device, do you have a "Windows Boot Manager" option besides CD/HDD? If yes, then it's a sign of EFI.

In summary, the questions are:
1.how did you repartition and make space for linux?
2.do you have the "Windows Boot Manager" option in BIOS boot menus?
3.do you have GPT partitions?
Share
February 20, 2013 11:56:47 AM

Thank you so much for your response! it turns out that I lost the whole partition and I finally had to reload window. thanks again for the insight
m
0
l
Can't find your answer ? Ask !
February 27, 2013 12:08:16 PM

Best answer selected by biggin747.
m
0
l
Can't find your answer ? Ask !
Read discussions in other Windows 7 categories
!