I downloaded Lubuntu-12.04-alternate-i386.iso, to go my laptop, an Acer Aspire 1362, which has only 256MB RAM
The laptop has one internal 40GB Toshiba hard drive divided into 3 partitions: C,19GB with Windows XP, Windows program files and some data, D, 19GB mostly data, and a small 2GB partition with some Acer software, which XP can't normally “see”. I transferred most of the contents of D to a memory stick, leaving 16GB free for Lubuntu. I want the machine to be dual boot.
I had no error messages during the installation which detected XP and said there was enough room on C: for the boot file, rebooted, was offered the choice of Ubuntu or XP, and selected the former. After a few minutes, I got a dark blue screen announcing Lubuntu, but there the system froze.
I tried several steps suggested on this forum with no success, and eventually re-installed using the “expert” mode - perhaps I misread the suggestion. Since “novice” is a more accurate description of my Linux knowledge, it is not surprising that I made matters worse, and now can't get into Windows either. All I see on booting is an error message : “No such partition; Grub rescue”.
I used a Gparted live disk to erase C: and D: completely, to get rid of the bootloader, then re-installed Windows using Acer's recovery disks. However the message persists; I cannot boot Windows. I suspect that the bootloader has nestled into the Acer partition, which is at the very “front” of the hard drive. I know of no way to access this partition; I could delete it with Gparted, but am reluctant to do so as my Windows recovery may then no longer work. (I assume it works now, as I received no error messages on re-installation.)
Reading responses to other people wanting to get rid of “Grub Rescue”, a seemingly simple solution has been often suggested – namely re-install Linux, when the boot loader will recognise the partition and offer a choice of booting into Windows or Linux – which is exactly what I want. Unfortunately, I cannot use a Live Linux CDUSB with only 250MB RAM.
Has anyone a better suggestion, or can anyone comment on the efficacy of the above, bearing in mind that the boot loader is installed in Acer's ungetatable partition?
