Ubuntu 12.04 install doesn't detect Windows 7 for dual boot

Question

I've used Linux in the past and really want to install it on my current computer alongside my current OS, Win 7 64-bit.

However, when I try (various methods) from the 12.04 liveCD, it can't seem to detect my Windows 7 installation; worse than that when I try to opt for the advanced/custom option instead of "erase entire drive and install Ubuntu", it doesn't detect my hard drive there.

Ubuntu knows the hard drive is there though, because I can open its partitions through the file explorer etc and they automount. GParted knows it's there too, and sees the partitions correctly (though it reports some sort of error with my Windows partition, a couple bad sectors or something and says to run chkdsk /f from Windows and reboot into it twice).

The hard drive itself, in both Windows and Linux, shows the partitions as:

• 1 is PQService (I assume Windows recovery),
• 1 is SYSTEM RESERVED,
• 1 is C:/Acer(my main windows drive and install etc, and previously
• D:/Data;

I killed/deleted this partition though after backing up all my data hoping it might make the installer work; alas it does not. I want to install to this free space(roughly 250GB), but...I just don't know how to.

The installer is giving me no options! I've tried looking at other threads, but not had any luck with the information I've found. Would it by any chance be because I'm possibly using a 32-bit Ubuntu live image that it wouldn't/can't detect a 64-bit Win 7 install?

I'm going to try and get a 64-bit image for a LiveCD anyway, hoping it might work but can't try till I get home. If it really persists, I'll just go back to Mint which I used a few years back (assuming it doesn't have the same issue), but I kinda wanted to switch over to Ubuntu.

(just to add the HDD is in MBR)

Answer 1

I am not 100% sure ... but:

1. If you have hard disk errors reported, then check all of your Windows partitions. You can do that with:
   a) cmd (Konsole in windows)
   b) then type chkdsk c: /f (and chkdsk d: /f) accordingly for d: partition and so on.
   Make sure you check all partitions that way cos I know from OpenSuse that it wont install until all partitions are clean. And it should be done in Windows.

   Only guessing - absolutely not sure (and do only if you know what you do)

2. If you have a SATA PC it might be, that you should switch the SATA mode in BIOS.

But it seemed more to me, that there are drivers missing/not loaded for your HD controller. But then the driver should be loadable manually.

But it should not be a 32/64 bit problem. And while you are installing it should ask you anyway on what partition you want to install. It does not just install anywhere.

Sorry that I cannot help you more.

Answer 2

I think it could be because of damaged boot-loader on Windows partition. Try to restore it from Ubuntu Mini-Howto: Restore Windows MBR/Bootloader with Linux