GRUB2 bootloader crashes with Win7 and Ubuntu 10.04 dual boot

[matrix13]

I have a Dell Studio 14 laptop with Windows 7 64bit preinstalled. The processor is core i5 and the machine has 4GB RAM. I freed 25GB of memory from my Hard disk and tried to install Ubuntu 10.04 (AMD). Everything went fine. I restarted and Logged into Ubuntu. It worked like a charm. Then I restarted to Windows7. This also worked well as expected.

But, when I rebooted again, I got a black screen saying that
“No modules found. Press any key to restart”
When I press a key, it says “No operating system found”, probably after checking through a network (it printed lines starting with PXE).

I tried exactly in the same way with Ubuntu 8.04 in my machine, and this worked without any problem. The Bootloader was not corrupted after restarting from Windows. I noticed the problem with Ubuntu 9.10 and 10.04. I feel like a problem regarding the bootloader version. AFAIK, 9.10 and 10.04 is using GRUB2 when 8.04 use the old version of GRUB. Will I have to switch to the legacy GRUB? (I would love to keep using GRUB2). If yes, I would like to know How.

Is there any way to resolve this issue?
Thanks and Regards

[lechien73]

If you boot from a LiveCD, does:

sudo fdisk -l

show your Linux and Windows partitions?

Maybe you need to reinstall Grub using the instructions found at point 13, here.

[matrix13]

fdisk shows the windows and linux partitions.
I reinstalled GRUB2 from 10.04 live cd. But, whenever I boot into windows7, then restart the machine, GRUB 2 is again lost.

[darkod]

I hate this branded machines. You are right, it's related to grub2 vs grub1 but it's not ubuntu's fault.

Months ago we were very puzzled here on the forum with such behavior and the conclusion was (can't remember right now how strong was the evidence, but there was some):

Some HP and Dell machines have pieces of HP/Dell software working behind your back without you even knowing about it. After you boot windows they think your MBR is corrupted and do something. That something slices a piece of grub2 and makes it unusable. Grub1 is smaller in size and is not affected.

If you boot only ubuntu grub2 will work perfectly for as long as you want. The first boot into windows destroys it.

I can't remember if there was a definite solution, but now when you know the problem maybe google and searching this forum/archive can help. I'm pretty sure this is your problem.

Not sure if Dell support will have something smart to say. After all, adding ubuntu is not forbidden.

[oldfred]

We had so many the meierfra posted a page:

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawik..._Writes_To_MBR
http://www.supergrubdisk.org/wiki/WindowsErasesGrub
In Windows 7, I had to remove Windows 7 DataSafe.
HP ProtectTools, Dell Recovery, and a few others write into MBR meierfra.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...b2/+bug/441941
https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubun...1?comments=all
Dell Media direct issues with MBR
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=923576
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1344828

[a546]

I have the same problem with Windows XP and Ubuntu 10.04.

[oldfred]

a546 welcome to the Ubuntu Forum.

the problem you have does not sound like what this thread is discussing which is primarily with win7 software overwriting the MBR. Please start a new thread and add some more information on exactly what is happening. Is your grub boot loader only not work after using certain software in windows? If it does not start at all check any of many threads on that issue first.

[a546]

a546 welcome to the Ubuntu Forum.

the problem you have does not sound like what this thread is discussing which is primarily with win7 software overwriting the MBR. Please start a new thread and add some more information on exactly what is happening. Is your grub boot loader only not work after using certain software in windows? If it does not start at all check any of many threads on that issue first.

Okay, thanks.

[mikef01]

I have been struggling with this problem, when dual-booting 10.04 and Windows 7, on a Dell Inspiron 1545, 64 bit. The result has been a wipe-out of GRUB after re-booting to Windows, reulting in an unbootable machine and "Module not found..." appearing. The problem is undoutedly the ill-disciplined Dell software that Dell have added in - I don't think it's a problem with either Windows 7 or 10.04, (GRUB 2), or their interaction. Getting rid of the Dell software works.

I have found the following solution to work for me (tested several times now and couldn't break it):

• Boot into Windows 7 using the supplied re-installation DVD
• Don't install but pick "Repair my PC"
• Follow the Windows instructions as given in the excellent site:

http://mattrudge.wordpress.com/2010/...-ubuntu-10-04/

• Then boot into Windows 7, from the hard disk, "as normal"
• Uninstall Dell DataSafe in Control Panel>Programs and Features
• Reboot using an Ubuntu install cd or similar device using the "try-out" option rather than the install
• Follow the "Windows boots, but Ubuntu won’t..." instructions on Matt Rudge's site as above
• Reboot and GRUB 2 should work...

Voila - seems to work

[drgb]

Thanks, mikef01. These steps worked for me.
The only difference was that I had no usable Windows 7 recovery disk, so I had to reinstall grub in Ubuntu from the Ubuntu live cd, then boot Windows 7, remove the Dell Data Safe programs (I uninstalled all 3--basic, supporting software and online backup), then do the grub2 reinstall from the Ubuntu live cd a second time.
Now all is good.