I’m new to Linux. Yesterday I installed OpenSUSE 11.3 with dual boot Windows 7 is the primary OS. I want to migrate from Windows to Linux. Here is what I do:
Boot Window 7.
Insert OpenSUSE to CD/DVD ROM
Browse CD/DVD ROM, and run opensuse_installer_alone (kinda like that, i forgot the name exactly)---->I know this is stupid thing after I completed step 6
Windows install the program and the program automatically reboot in 10 seconds
Computer reboot and boot to Opensuese instalattion Menu
Install OpenSuse done. Suse perfectly install on my laptorp.
Here comes the problem. GLUB displays dual boot menu to choose the OS. But when I choose window to boot laptop, surprisingly it automatically runs opensuse_installer_alone. My guess is opensuse_installer_alone application still resides on Windows, so every time I boot Windows it always run opensuse_installer_alone. Yes, I CAN NOT log in to Windows at all.
This is what I plan to do, several ways to solve the problem:
Boot to MS-DOS mode via USB flash/pendrive, then type WIN, OR
Boot via Windows CD-Room, then perform new installation
So I want to ask several questions:
Your opinion about how I solve (boot to MS-Dos or reinstall windows) the problem, is there any alternative solution you thin better from mine?
The reason I want to recover Windows is I want to backup my old (Windows environment made such as: docx, pdf, mp3, xlsx). Fortunately OpenSUSE can access all my old data (stored in filesystem->windows). Is it safe to back up my old data (Windows made) data using Linux? Or I must log in to Windows to backup the data?
There is a script file that can locate the Grub boot loader, but it also finds your Windows boot loader and suggests the correct grub menu.lst entry to start Windows. You must be a root user to edit the grub menu.lst file. For KDE users, you can use the following run Command:
kdesu kwrite /boot/grub/menu.lst
The script file is called findgrub written by please_try_again and message #59 has the most recent version to use:
If it is not too late, please download and run this program. To just view your menu.lst file and post it online, you can use the following terminal command:
Browse CD/DVD ROM, and run opensuse_installer_alone (kinda like that, i forgot the name exactly)---->I know this is stupid thing after I completed step 6
Windows install the program and the program automatically reboot in 10 seconds
No OS should ever be installed from within another OS,! Not the fault of a user, the option simply should not be there!
There is a feature request to have it removed here https://features.opensuse.org/311047 if you agree please vote for it , ( If you have strong thoughts on the matter, please vote only, or post a well thought out and polite message, negative attitudes have the wrong effect.) I realize this is only one of a number of different variations available over a number of distros, I don’t agree with any of them.
To install linux (or any OS) boot the machine straight to the installation media.
I’m sorry I can’t offer advice specific to this case, there are complications with the third party software used to do this that I am not familiar with.
By trying to install Linux from inside Windows you most likely destroyed Windows. AFAIK there is no way to recover from this except to reinstall Windows. I hope you backed up all your important data before you attempted this. Can you boot to Linux? If not you will need to get a Linux based CD and see if you can reclaim you important data. Parted Magic may be a goo choice to see what condition you partitions are in.
Posting the output of
fdisk -l (note that is a lower case L not a one)
No OS should ever be installed from within another OS,! Not the fault of a user, the option simply should not be there!
That’s my negative attitude showing through!
negative attitudes have the wrong effect.
Perhaps, if the option is there, make the risks absolutely clear?
As a general rule, I disagree with options being removed. (although I can make an exception in this case!).
FAR below the “Download” button, under “How to Proceed” where it say:
[QUOTE]
a. After having successfully downloaded the ISO image(s), burn the
image(s) with your favorite burning application to a DVD or CD. Please
do not burn a data DVD/CD, but rather choose the option to burn an ISO
image. . .<snip>
b. Boot from the DVD or CD. <snip>
[QUOTE]
we understand that everyone can’t be expected to see that, and we are
trying to change the way the DVD/LiveCD is constructed to avoid this
trap…
-=welcome=- and i’m really sorry this path began so roughly…
No one has heard from you today? There are some versions of Linux that run on top of Windows but this wasn’t one of them. You needed to boot from the CD/DVD to install OpenSuse dual boot with Windows.
You’re in luck if you can see all your Windows data. You should use some of the Linux backup tools for backing up your data to a USB drive or another hard drive or DVDs.
Use the OpenSuSe Konqueror (KDE) or Nautilus (Gnome) file manager to compress the Windows folders you want and save to a *.tar.gz file
Move it to your backup hard drive.
After you’ve backed up and saved all your data to *.tar.gz files on another drive you can use WinZip or WinRar to uncompress the files.
I think resetting the Master Boot Record will fix your inability to boot to Windows 7. I try it first, if that doesn’t restore booting to Windows 7 then you’ll need to do an Install | Repair to fix Windows 7. How to repair MBR on Windows 7 | eHow.com
A Install | Repair will completely reinstall Windows 7 to the existing (or a new) Windows installation and you’ll need to reinstall all Windows Updates, reactivate and probably reinstall a number of your programs but your data remain intact.
Please make sure you understand everything anyone has proposed above or after, and ask more questions before you proceed.
After backing up all the data you need using linux, be sure it is all there and can be accessed.
Which method of fixing this have you chosen, reinstalling, or the method described in the link given by caf4926 at post #5, or other?
@dvhenry
Well, first I try to use Windows facilities Restore System Point (boot using Win Installer CD, there are few choices, I pick Restore System Point). But it failed.
jdmcdaniel3 —> this method is difficult for me right now. I can show to this forum what is written in menu.lst. I dont understand the file and how to modify it. Instead of using Linux, I use Windows installer and open it using Notepad.
caf4926—> this method is most suitable for me, but needs third party software.
others ----> I have backed up all my data under Linux, but not reisntaling yet. Now I use Linux to work.
Thanks, I still need your help in the future.
One question, what section in the forum discussing about Linux (especially OpenSUSE) for beginner.