I've recently installed Ubuntu along with Windows Vista. So normally when the laptop is starting up it shows two options whether I want to log on Windows or Ubuntu. One day I shut down the laptop and I open it the next and it just logs onto Windows automatically without giving me the option to choose. I go to check if Ubuntu was un-installed or something, but it was still there and everything, but I can't open it. I don't know if there's any additional info I should add because I'm not very good with computers, and I don't want to re-install it because I have my stuff on it so I'd lose it, and I'm having trouble backing it up. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
For some reason i don't know, looks like your MBR(Master Boot Record) has changed and replaced GRUB with Windows.
There are a few steps you can follow to recover the ability to boot Ubuntu again.
1) You need a DVD or a USB stick with Ubuntu into it. Boot the laptop from it. Choose to run, not to install Ubuntu.
2) Once there, check if all your data is there. Open Nautilus, the file explorer and look for you partitions.
3) Next open Terminal and run this command: sudo fdisk -l. It will show all available Hard Disks and partitions in you laptop. Choose the one you have installed Ubuntu. If you don't know which one, just post the results here and we will help you.
4) Only do this step if you know which partition contains Ubuntu! Run this on Terminal: sudo mount -t ext4 /dev/sdaX /mnt. Where sdaX is the partition number Ubuntu is in, and ext4 is the default file system.
5) Then run this last command: sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
Any questions just post the results here.
Check the bios for startup alternatives. Press F12 (or whatever key that takes your computer to the BIOS settings) and check your startup/boot alternatives.
