Can't Access Windows after Dual Boot Install - Wiped Windows Partition?

user3175632

5/3/23, 9:59 PM

I have read other posts and haven't found a solution after 10+ hours of torturous attempts! :( I would be so grateful for any help or advice.

Here's what's happened:

I installed Ubuntu 21.10 as a dual boot along with windows. Both worked okay
I decided I want the LTS version, so overwrote 21.10 with 20.04. I got the warning messages that: - The partition devices of the following devices are going to be changed SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) (i'm wondering if I screwed up on this one???) - The following partitions are going to be formatted: partition #6 of CSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) as ext4 (I think this should be fine, its the correct Ubuntu partition)

Since overwriting with LTS, I can't boot into Windows. It displays 'Preparing Automatic Repair' but can't boot.

I have tried, to no benefit:

Reinstalling Ubuntu.
Making a windows boot USB to reinstall it, but I can't do it from USB, apparently (apparently Dell requires re-installation to commence from within windows).
Some command prompt efforts - after 'Preparing Automatic Repair' I could access a windows prompt where I tried these: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/total-identified-windows-installations-0/52359f87-de4a-41dc-b0c3-cc275e1d9fbf ...this didn't work as c:\boot could not be found (disk wiped???)

In Ubuntu, gparted shows the ‘used’ amount of disk as a dash (--), so I’m not sure if that means I’ve wiped that partition by mistake?

Any way to check if I've wiped the windows partition? I could not see any of my files in the windows command prompt, above (couldn't view the drive)
Any way to restore the partition, if I've accidentally wiped it?
Any other suggestions or advice? I have no idea how to get windows back onto my laptop, even if I accept my data is lost and do a clean install (given that windows boot USB doesn't seem to be enabled for reinstalling windows, unless I'm already logged in.

gparted... showing data wiped on sda4? or is that normal for used data to be listed as a dash

0 + 0

partitioning

dual-boot

cocomac

5/3/23, 10:03 PM

A few questions... how are you booting to Windows? GRUB? The computer's boot menu? If GRUB, try the computer's boot menu. Also, (on Ubuntu), open GParted, and take a screenshot of the partitions on your system drive, and [edit] your question to include that, please.

oldfred

5/3/23, 11:59 PM

Lets see details. Please copy & paste the pastebin link to the Bootinfo summary report ( do not post report), do not run the auto fix till reviewed. Use ppa version with your USB installer (2nd option) or any working install, not Boot-Repair ISO https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

user3175632

5/4/23, 9:32 AM

- I tried both going into windows from GRUB, and also prioritising windows in the bios so that it boots directly, and its the identical result. - Here is the bootinfo summary: https://pastebin.ubuntu.com/p/CQHwVjbs2D/ I ran the recommended repair a couple of times yesterday, and I think just now too (sorry, not sure how to get the report without running the recommended repair). - I will add a screenshot of gparted showing nothing used on the windows partition sda4 (not sure if that's just Ubuntu not reading ntfs, data having been wiped, or something else?)

user3175632

5/8/23, 2:52 PM

Any ideas on how to check, from Ubuntu or during boot: - if the ntfs windows portion files have been wiped? - if they have been wiped, if there is any way to restore them (from Ubuntu or during boot)

Elon Musk

I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

EN: Can't Access Windows after Dual Boot Install - Wiped Windows Partition?

TH: ไม่สามารถเข้าถึง Windows หลังจากติดตั้ง Dual Boot - ล้างพาร์ติชัน Windows หรือไม่

RO: Nu se poate accesa Windows după instalarea Dual Boot - Partiția Windows ștearsă?

RU: Не удается получить доступ к Windows после установки с двойной загрузкой — стертый раздел Windows?

VI: Không thể truy cập Windows sau khi cài đặt khởi động kép - Phân vùng Windows bị xóa?

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