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When the bootloader (GRUB) is broken, I cannot access neither Ubuntu nor Windows.

I heard that an easy solution to fix this is to use the Boot-Repair tool from an Ubuntu liveCD (or liveUSB).

What are the steps to do this?

1 Answer 1

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  1. Insert or connect the Ubuntu live media (DVD or USB).
  2. Find out how to boot your computer from removable media.

    Note that there is a difference between booting of older computers (BIOS/MBR) and newer ones designed for Windows 8 and later releases (UEFI/GPT).

    Reboot the computer from live media and choose Try Ubuntu when asked.

    Try Ubuntu

  3. Connect to the internet, then open a terminal with Ctrl+Alt+t, paste the following commands and run them by pressing Enter:

    sudo apt install software-properties-common; \
    sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu $(lsb_release -sc) universe"; \
    sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair; \
    sudo apt-get update; \
    sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair && boot-repair
    

    Note: You copy and run them all at once. If you want to run them individually just remove the trailing "; \".

    That's it, the Boot-Repair window will appear!

    Boot-Repair main window

Related:

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  • 7
    It would be awesome to get this pre-installed on the live dvd's for future releases, because this is such a critical tool with the latest window$8 UEFI mess :(
    – AmanicA
    Dec 5, 2013 at 12:11
  • 2
    you can vote for this: bugs.launchpad.net/boot-repair/+bug/806291
    – LovinBuntu
    Dec 5, 2013 at 21:19
  • This gives me an error "must run in 64 bit session" Apr 27, 2014 at 17:49
  • John, that message indicates you need to use a 64bit Ubuntu disc.
    – LovinBuntu
    Apr 27, 2014 at 22:33
  • 2
    becko, you can use a disk (USB or CD/DVD) with Boot-Repair pre-installed. See help.ubuntu.com/community/…
    – LovinBuntu
    Aug 1, 2014 at 21:56

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