Can't Boot To Windows After Any Linux OS Install

DX24 · 8 Jan 2016 at 19:21

Hi All

I hope someone can help here.

Every time I install a Linux OS to my second hard drive windows will not boot, Like as if it has been stolen from Linux.

I usually do my own partition when installing, although it looks like as if I'm doing something wrong.

I'm no partition or Linux expert.

Would love to know what I'm doing wrong.

Steveocee · 8 Jan 2016 at 19:33

Does grub just not give you the option for Windows, or does Windows just not boot.

When you install to the 2nd HDD is the Windows drive connected and powered up? My advice would be isolate the machine so only the Linux drive is connected and use BIOS boot selector to pick which HDD and don't let GRUB do it.

bledd · 9 Jan 2016 at 11:00

Steveocee said:
Does grub just not give you the option for Windows, or does Windows just not boot.

When you install to the 2nd HDD is the Windows drive connected and powered up? My advice would be isolate the machine so only the Linux drive is connected and use BIOS boot selector to pick which HDD and don't let GRUB do it.

This.

Makes things simple in case you need to remove one drive.

Outcast · 9 Jan 2016 at 14:00

Perhaps the linux distro is disabling Secure Boot ?

opethdisciple · 9 Jan 2016 at 16:19

Don't you have to get the order of the OS installs correct?

It's either install Linux first or windows first. Can't remember....

I'm going to guess Linux second so it can write the bootloader to its liking.

Linux bootloader can boot windows, Windows bootloader cannot boot Linux.

Or something to that order...

DX24 · 15 Jan 2016 at 11:51

Hi thanks for the info. I worked it out that this happens for me only with Ubuntu, Mint is no problem at all.

There is also a sudo update command which solved it. The main concern is every time I try or use a Linux OS they are very unstable, Like black screens etc maybe gpu conflict??

Would also like to ask does Linux need a EFI to work properly? As I checked my secure boot and it is legacy. Maybe this is why I have problems with the OS?

I've posted before on this Linux page and would really like to get it running well, And if I was not a Steam user then windows would be out of the window for good.

ashlee84 · 25 Jan 2016 at 16:34

I had a game trying to get Windows 8.1 and Arch to dual boot.

BIOS and MBR I found simple on my old PC, but my system now uses UEFI, GPT and EFI. After tinkering I found myself left with a usable 'mess'. From what I can remember I booted up into my Windows Recovery Enviroment and rebuilt/repaired my boot partition.

After that I still got the grub screen on startup, I could select 'Windows', hit 'C' to drop to command line, then type 'exit' and it would load Windows.

It was a mess and it is now gone, I might have another go at it soon. I would have hoped something like Ubuntu would have dealt with all that behind the scenes at it installed.