MX Linux Forum

Did I edit w/ the code thing correctly?

I was thinking that the windows live usb would act like a boot floopy, IDK?

Incogneeto wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:50 pm

Code: Select all

sudo parted --list
Model: ATA TOSHIBA THNSNJ12 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 128GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: msdos
Disk Flags: 

Number  Start   End     Size    Type     File system  Flags
 1      1049kB  53.5MB  52.4MB  primary  ntfs         boot
 2      53.5MB  127GB   127GB   primary  ntfs
 3      127GB   128GB   560MB   primary  ntfs         diag

If I see it correctly, this issue appears Windows is installed in BIOS-mode.
And you somehow manage to change within the Systemfrmwarer setting (BIOS/UEFI-setting)
from BIOS to UEFI boot mode.
To boot into Windows: Try switch from UEFI mode to BIOS/legacy/CSM boot mode.

where do i do that at, in the bios?

Incogneeto wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:09 pm Did I edit w/ the code thing correctly?

Yes you did, thank you, makes it easier to read :)

Incogneeto wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:29 pm where do i do that at, in the bios?

IIRC, HP's go into UEFI-firmware setup ( aka "BIOS" setup) by pressing Esc at boot/start up.
and further press F10 / F9 (?)., where you would find the Boot priority and BIOS/UEFI settings.
Some do also offer to try to boot first from ESP ( EFI System Partition) and if no valid EFI bootloader found fallback to legacy BIOS mode. In your case you might have installed MX Linux onto the ESP on the external USB-drive and a valid EFI-loader was found, hence it never could boot anymore into legacy-BIOS-mode of the WinOS installation.

thats not working either

Incogneeto wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 1:16 am thats not working either

seems we are back to mind reading ... no idea what you have done nor what is not working. ..
The last attempt I would recommend to try before you might go and recover the Window boodloader with help of Windows tools or even need to reinstall Windows, would be this:
Pull out all external USB drives.
Plugin MX Live USB
Make sure you boot in BIOS/legacyCSM mode - you would have the (Fn-key "panel F2..F7 at the bottom of the boot screen)
-> Select Switch to Grub Bootloader
-> Select Boot Rescue menus
-> Find Windows boot loader
If it finds and boots in Windows, it would mean you would only need to "recover" Windows own bootloader
In case it cannot find Windows, I'm afraid, you better save any data from the windows drive and try WinOS tools to recover.
Good luck

@fehlix
Would it be an idea do you think to suggest to the OP that before doing much else, assuming the Windows partition is still holding the windows files that may be crucial to the OP that a backup of that partition to an external drive be conducted. Then if all else fails and a full Windows reinstall becomes necessary, once said reinstall is completed it might be fairly trivial to recover material from that backed up windows partition? It just occurs to me from reading through this thread that somehow the OP has got into a spiral of sorts and once Windows is restored via a full reinstall then so long as the original partition is backed up he/she may be able to recover.

Maybe it has been suggested already, maybe not, it's gotten long, but is it possible to get into Windows by booting to the bios and selecting to boot that OS from there? Then we at least know if it still works at all.

Just an idea from a person who has had to do that a few times in the past :)

fehlix wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:17 pm

Incogneeto wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:29 pm where do i do that at, in the bios?

IIRC, HP's go into UEFI-firmware setup ( aka "BIOS" setup) by pressing Esc at boot/start up.
and further press F10 / F9 (?)., where you would find the Boot priority and BIOS/UEFI settings.
Some do also offer to try to boot first from ESP ( EFI System Partition) and if

no valid EFI bootloader found fallback to legacy BIOS mode. I

n your case you might have installed MX Linux onto the ESP on the external USB-drive and a valid EFI-loader was found, hence it never could boot anymore into legacy-BIOS-mode of the WinOS installation.

I was unable to find a windows bootable as a matter of fact when I take the Live MX- Linux usb out, I cant find windows or Linux to log into, and tried every possible combination of entries on the grub menu that pops up.

Thank you to everyone who had taken time out of their day to try and assist me with this mess, I am very appreciative. @Felix, will you direct me to where I can learn how to post with the correct etiquette and format, I just dont know how to and when to use the quotes and what not.

I like the idea of creating another windows install then accessing my partitions from the old windows install to get the files. Would anyone happen to know of a good tutorial they could direct me to for doing that (which the circumstances that I have, such as the MX-Linux on there and also wanting to not harm my former C and D drive.