Got it fixed. I used a usb installer. Now have both Windows and Ubuntu installed!
Thanks to all!
I hate to admit defeat but I need (computer) help!
- Thread starter cmantis
- Start date
Got it fixed. I used a usb installer. Now have both Windows and Ubuntu installed!
Thanks to all!
- Location
- Brooklyn/Flushing
Glad to help
- Location
- Peekskill, NY
Black screen of death, where it's just blinking a cursor on the upper left hand corner means that the hard drive is trying to boot to a partition that does not have a boot loader on it. This is not a Linux vs. Windows thing; I'm sorry linux people, aside from being a web server linux is not a good alternative to a desktop environment period.
What you need to do is to fix your MBR on your hard drive. A re-format and re-install will absolutely fix your problem, but if you want to fix it without going through the hastle of backing up your data; you need to ultimately get your hands on one of two pieces of software, or try one simple diagnostic method.
Something that is not available to a lot of people outside of those that have Technet accounts: it's called Microsoft Disaster and Recovery Tools (MSDaRT), it comes with the Microsoft Deployment Optimization Pack (MDOP); with it you can use it to recover your Master Boot Record and fix this particular issue.
You can alternatively use software called: Partition Magic, it will boot into a WinPE environment similar to the one you would use to repair Windows with a Windows 7 disk. It has tools to fix your boot partition and Master Boot Record.
Also try booting your computer with nothing connected to it but the monitor, not even a keyboard or mouse. Your PC is trying to boot to something that is not there, you need to make sure your PC isn't trying to boot to something without a suitable MBR. Sometimes a PC will try to boot to an external hard drive, or smartphone connected to your PC.
If you need to get your hands on an iso of MSDaRT send me a PM and I'll give you my copy; do you have 32 or 64 bit windows? Let me know I deal with these crazy things everyday.
What you need to do is to fix your MBR on your hard drive. A re-format and re-install will absolutely fix your problem, but if you want to fix it without going through the hastle of backing up your data; you need to ultimately get your hands on one of two pieces of software, or try one simple diagnostic method.
Something that is not available to a lot of people outside of those that have Technet accounts: it's called Microsoft Disaster and Recovery Tools (MSDaRT), it comes with the Microsoft Deployment Optimization Pack (MDOP); with it you can use it to recover your Master Boot Record and fix this particular issue.
You can alternatively use software called: Partition Magic, it will boot into a WinPE environment similar to the one you would use to repair Windows with a Windows 7 disk. It has tools to fix your boot partition and Master Boot Record.
Also try booting your computer with nothing connected to it but the monitor, not even a keyboard or mouse. Your PC is trying to boot to something that is not there, you need to make sure your PC isn't trying to boot to something without a suitable MBR. Sometimes a PC will try to boot to an external hard drive, or smartphone connected to your PC.
If you need to get your hands on an iso of MSDaRT send me a PM and I'll give you my copy; do you have 32 or 64 bit windows? Let me know I deal with these crazy things everyday.
- Location
- Brooklyn/Flushing
lol.. word.. he just wanted his windows 7 back.. I could've went even further than that (14 years experience) but for what. He's not doing this for a living. He just wanted his windows for school.
- Location
- Peekskill, NY
Your advice was right, when I read the rest of the forum. I'm into the double digits of experience too, so I'm with you on that. I wasn't making the Linux comment for cmantis; but for his first reply of use Linux over Windows because it's "better" I think is silly.
I wanted him to know what was wrong and why his computer was tripping. When he followed your advice you were absolutely correct, because the USB install of Windows fixed his boot loader properly.
I wanted him to know what was wrong and why his computer was tripping. When he followed your advice you were absolutely correct, because the USB install of Windows fixed his boot loader properly.
Ha, now you tell me. I knew it had something to do with the MBR but wasn't sure how to fix it. I did try a few things. I am really good with computers, everyone always says I should do IT work, but I prefer to call the IT department when I have problems. Things like this are always a PIA. Ok now to reinstall windows again as I installed 32bit instead of 64 bit :smash:
- Location
- Peekskill, NY
Told you this a few days ago...hence /fixmbr.
- Location
- Brooklyn/Flushing
I never said it was the MBR.. It actually has to do with the bios and AHCI/SATA and Windows' ability to load raid drivers. jay1513 had the right idea. I can explain further if you'd like or google it. you can start with this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Host_Controller_Interface
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