So I installed linux mint over WIndows 7....

[vanillabilla]

Appearntly I didn't partition right and have installed Mint over my Windows 7. I'm not sure if this im correct about this or not. But I want to have my Windows 7 back. Is there any way to do this? (Possibly with all my previous files)

[caf4926]

Very unlikely - especially if you are this inexperienced.

But get a copy of Parted Magic and use Test Disk which is part of it. It can recover lost partitions and info, but it will not put windows back. You'll need to install it again, and hope that you'll be able to recover what you need with Test Disk
This might help https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10573557/LXF%2 ... stdisk.pdf

[everready]

How long ago did this happen and can you explain "exactly" what happened please..

Thanks..
everready

[vanillabilla]

How long ago did this happen and can you explain "exactly" what happened please..

Thanks..
everready

Probably happened around an hour ago, followed a guide on installing Linux Mint, rebooted my computer and it booted into Linux Mint. I checked the GRUB menu and Winows 7 wasn't listed.

[everready]

When you reboot the only choice given is Linux? I don't suppose you can boot into safe mode? I'm just trying to do this as if it happened to me.. have you tried safe mode?

[vanillabilla]

When you reboot the only choice given is Linux? I don't suppose you can boot into safe mode? I'm just trying to do this as if it happened to me.. have you tried safe mode?

It doesn't show a safe mode option when i boot

[wayne128]

[/quote]

Probably happened around an hour ago, followed a guide on installing Linux Mint, rebooted my computer and it booted into Linux Mint. I checked the GRUB menu and Winows 7 wasn't listed.[/quote]

If you can handle some typing on terminal, what you can do is
1. boot with Linux DVD and run in Live mode
2. open a terminal, type a few commands, post their results, these commands would check for you your hard disk partitions and whether Win OS still exists

3. sudo os-prober
4. sudo fdisk -l
5. sudo parted -l

[everready]

Reboot your computer, the second it starts booting up tap on the F8 key repeatedly and keep tapping on it and see if it will show you a window that lists safe mode O.k.?

[vanillabilla]

Probably happened around an hour ago, followed a guide on installing Linux Mint, rebooted my computer and it booted into Linux Mint. I checked the GRUB menu and Winows 7 wasn't listed.[/quote]

If you can handle some typing on terminal, what you can do is
1. boot with Linux DVD and run in Live mode
2. open a terminal, type a few commands, post their results, these commands would check for you your hard disk partitions and whether Win OS still exists

3. sudo os-prober
4. sudo fdisk -l
5. sudo parted -l[/quote]



mint@mint ~ $ sudo os-prober
/dev/sda5:Linux Mint 13 Maya (13):LinuxMint:linux
mint@mint ~ $ sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000780aa

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 2048 999423 498688 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda2 1001470 16769023 7883777 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 1001472 11741183 5369856 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 11743232 16769023 2512896 83 Linux
mint@mint ~ $ sudo parted -l
Model: ATA ST31000528AS (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 1000GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 1049kB 512MB 511MB primary linux-swap(v1) boot
2 513MB 8586MB 8073MB extended
5 513MB 6011MB 5499MB logical ext3
6 6013MB 8586MB 2573MB logical ext3


Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr0 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr0
has been opened read-only.
Error: Invalid partition table - recursive partition on /dev/sr0.
Ignore/Cancel? ^C

This is what I see when I type the commands into the terminal

@everready Tried this, nothing happned

[wayne128]

Those results confirmed that you do not have any Windows OS, it usually has partition in ntfs format.

[everready]

Wait for Wayne to come back your in good hands..

Hope everything works out for you..
everready

[vanillabilla]

Those results confirmed that you do not have any Windows OS, it usually has partition in ntfs format.

Alright, thank you guys for the help. Last question is, how do I go about re installing Windows?

[wayne128]

Your hard disk need to have proper partitions first.
Because Win7 like to be in primary.
Next to consider : do you want Dual boot, multiboot ( for future )
Final to consider: choose wisely a boot loader..

Currently your partition looks like
1 1049kB 512MB 511MB primary linux-swap(v1) boot
2 513MB 8586MB 8073MB extended
5 513MB 6011MB 5499MB logical ext3
6 6013MB 8586MB 2573MB logical ext3

I am not sure why your sda1 swap is 511MB
then sda2, is 8G.
your hard disk is 1TB
lots of unallocated space.

So, it seems it is easier for you to start from beginning .
That is wipe everything and install win7 first then follow by Linux OS.


But if you just want to learn a bit more about partitioning.... hmmm
then, what you do is,
boot from Linux Live DVD
run gparted
take a snapshot of gparted image,
post here..
you can use gparted to handle the unallocated space and turn them for Win7's ntfs partition.

[killer de bug]

That's destiny. Windows was deleted, don't install it again. You will see Linux Mint is great and you don't need windows anymore...