Grub2 openSUSE 12.3 64 bit - How do I recover the boot?

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

Hello!

I have openSUSE 12.3 - 64 bit installed on my computer, I will install Windows 7
and thus lose the boot Suse, but the grub is not in Mbr, the boot loader is thus:
“Initialize the extended partition.”

The hard disk is partitioned like this:

dev/sda1 ntfs 156.25GB - (for Windows-7)
----dev/sda2 extended 156.25GB
----dev/sda5 linux-suap 2.01GB
----dev/sda6 ext4 / 20.00GB
----dev/sda7 ext4 /home 134.24GB
dev/sda3 ntfs 153.26GB.

How should I do to recover the “boot Suse and Windows-7”?

Thank you!

#2

I think I would read through the following guide: https://forums.opensuse.org/content/128-re-install-grub2-dvd-rescue.html and after the Windows install, reinstall grub2. Normally to “boot” openSUSE from a Logical Partition, Grub2 must be loaded into the MBR. If grub is actually loaded into the Extended partition, Windows could make a mess of things and may not even install. You can only install grub2 into the MBR or one of the four Primary Partitions and apprantly you can get openSUSE to “boot” from a logical partition if Grub2 is loaded into the Extended Partition which is not standard to Windows. The worst that can happen is you need to reinstall openSUSE, but only if Windows will install at all with your present setup. Just make sure you have a working openSUSE boot disk before you start. Have a look at my partition guide here: Formating and Partitioning Hard Disk During Install , backup any important data from your /home area if you can.

Thank You,

#3

Hello.
sorry for my english, i’m italian. :slight_smile:

I have this configuration with Windows 7 and suse 12.3:
/dev/sda1 100 mb (for windows 7) nfts
/dev/sda2 110 gb (Windows 7) nfts
/dev/sda3 310 gb (for data files) nfts
/dev/sda4 45 gb extended partition
/dev/sda5 14 gb “/”
/dev/sda6 9 gb “swap”
/dev/sda7 22gb “/home”

grub is on hd0,4 (sd4) and there was a problem in Windows about hibernation. I solved by setting sda1 partition as active. After this, the grub was gonne away and Windows started without dualboot. Now, if I will re-install the grub, will I have problems with hibernation in Windows again? I would like to have hibernation on Windows and on suse. How i must to do? The grub place (sd4) is correct or not in my case? If i must change it, where i must put it and how I must to do? If is necessary, I can re-install suse without problem.
Thanks

#4

Usually it’s better to first install Windows, and a Linux (like openSUSE) afterwards.

#5

Besides, did you have important data on your openSUSE partitions?

You should save these to an external hard disk or the like (anyway a good idea) using e.g. a live system from CD,
before any further action.

#6

In this case “recover” grub is easy - just set partition 4 back as active.

and there was a problem in Windows about hibernation. … Now, if I will re-install the grub, will I have problems with hibernation in Windows again? I would like to have hibernation on Windows and on suse.

What problems did you have? Did it refuse to hibernate or did it fail to resume?

#7

I tend to recommend that folk don’t use Hibernation in Windows. Reason being, it’s too easy to forget and end up loading openSUSE whilst Windows is Hibernated.