Set up Ubuntu alongside Windows 10 on a system that doesn’t use EFI.
Set up Ubuntu alongside Windows 10 on a system that doesn’t use EFI.
I set up Kubuntu next to Windows 10 on an old Thinkpad SL300. I didn’t consider the laptop wasn’t UEFI/EFI, so I created space for Kubuntu and installed it there. I placed the boot-loader (grub) in the Windows primary partition because fdisk -l indicated it was the boot-partition. When I boot to grub, I can install Kubuntu without issues, but the Windows 10 option keeps looping back to grub. I also can’t mount the Windows partition since Windows 10 didn’t fully shut down—it just hibernated. I tried boot-repair, but it didn’t help. I considered using rEFind, which has helped with many boot problems before, but it’s an UEFI bootloader, right? I noticed the Windows partition data looks fine in gparted, though I don’t want to format it. What should I do to enable Windows boot alongside Kubuntu using a different bootloader? Thanks.
I don't understand. I can't even reach my Windows installation.
I've experienced something similar before, likely the same when attempting a dual boot with Windows 8 once. It's uncertain if it will work, but worth a try. In BIOS, adjust the boot sequence so Windows appears first; it should start without a Linux option. Navigate to power settings, select advanced options (possibly UAC), turn off fast startup and shutdown, then reset the boot order to place Windows first. You should regain access to your Windows files. There might be a method to enable smooth dual booting, though I don't recall it. Perhaps reinstalling Kubuntu at this stage could restore normal dual boot functionality.
The system doesn’t allow starting Windows from the BIOS. Booting requires using the HDD, CD-ROM, or USB drive. The Windows partition remains read-only since the OS entered hibernation when I asked to shut down. It seems GRUB wasn’t able to include Windows in its boot options due to this read-only state. In the GRUB configuration, the correct path is present, but access might be blocked because of the restriction.
For years I maintained a professional habit of keeping the Windows version of my PC running smoothly, even after breaking off our relationship with Microsoft about fifteen years prior. But recently, upon finding out that a Lenovo machine had switched from Windows 7 to Windows 10—without any notice or reboot—I realized it was time to reset. I removed all Microsoft software and set up Xubuntu 16.04 on the empty hard drive, then tried to install Lubuntu 16.04 in a dual-boot setup. After launching Xubuntu, I attempted to use the installer for Lubuntu, which offered an option to pair it with the existing OS. The interface was confusing, and I struggled to understand how it should function, especially since I wasn’t familiar with Grub’s installation process. Eventually, I booted into Lubuntu by chance, but when trying to switch back to Xubuntu, I couldn’t locate a way out. It’s frustrating that achieving a clean dual-boot experience felt like an impossible task. Overall, it’s disappointing that Microsoft can’t accommodate users in the Linux community, especially when we’re seeking flexibility across devices.
You currently connect to your NTFS partition through a specific method, and you’ve already created backups. The recovery partition exists on the same drive, but accessing it isn’t clear. Using the installation media should allow recovery if the partition is intact, though you’ll need to follow the appropriate steps for that process.
I tried again and switched the path to bcdedit /export C:\windows\system32\bcedit. It detected the Windows installation during the next bootrec /rebuildbcd process. Unfortunately, I’m still unable to start Windows, even though I confirmed it should be added to the boot list.