Wiped Windows partition while installing Ubuntu. Next?

TrailRunner

New Member
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4
Hello,

First post and I wish it was under better circumstances.

** I think I've put this in the wrong section. Sorry. **

I have managed to wipe my Windows partition while installing the latest release of Ubuntu (v14.04). I've had my HDD split in two with both Windows 8 (updated to 8.1 Update) and Ubuntu and dual-booted between them for over a year.

During the Ubunut install it informed me that I had a previous version of Ubuntu and would I like to wipe the partition that it occupied and install cleanly. I chose that. It also offered a chance to use free space. Now, why I accepted that I don't know but the definition of free space seems to include any other partitions on the drive and didn't warn of this either!

The upshot is that I now have a 1TB drive with no Windows on it. I've lost all my email, pics etc etc.

I tried using my rescue DVD that I created from within Windows and at 29% I am asked to insert the second disc. I don't have a second disk. I had to force my laptop to power down in order to do anything. In order to get online I ended up installing Ubuntu again and it definitely shows no Windows partition.

I've already ordered a retail copy of Windows 8.1 and I'm hoping that I can install this with no issues on what is effectively a clean drive. Am I correct in that assumption? Is there anything else I can try that might rescue it?

I have a Dell Inspiron 17r SE that is out of warranty so no support from Dell. I'm in the UK too if that helps.

Thank you very, very much in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Ubuntu 14.04 Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17r SE
try i care data recovery it has a 80% chance to recover your file i recommend stellar too but prefer i care over it :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro Update 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Inspiron 530S
    Motherboard
    64Bit X64 based Processor
    Memory
    4.5GB Ram
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB - XFX ONE ATI Radeon HD 5450 - Plus Edition
    Sound Card
    Inbuilt
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440*900
    Hard Drives
    1*Seagate 150gb + 1*Seagate 320gb
    Cooling
    3 x fans
    Keyboard
    Dell Analog
    Mouse
    Dell USB Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1Mbps, 100kbps Download Speed
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, Bitdefender, but Switched off
You need to quit using the PC if you hope to recover any files Every time you use it, existing files get overwritten, lessening the chance of recovering anything.

If you have access to another PC (even through a friend), download and burn a CD of the Minitool Partition Wizard Boot CD. It provides the feature of recovering partitions -- and it might be able to recover your former Win8 partitions, at least enough to get some of your personal files back.
 

My Computer

Definitely stop using that computer until you can recover the data. You might be able to use something called Testdisk to recover the data. Lastly if you want use Linux there is almost no reason to ever dual boot this OS. You could easily run this in a virtual machine if you have the hardware for it. Its much safer and easier to deal with.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thanks for the replies. After two aborted attempts at recovering the install and then installing Ubuntu again I've probably not got anything left to save. Apart from all the hours of game saves that are gone there isn't really anything worth the bother of trying to recover.

I have a soft spot for Ubuntu but, in all honesty, it is still years away from being a 'no-brainer' Windows replacement. To that end I've ordered a retail copy of W8.1 and I'm hoping it will install without any hiccups. Fingers crossed...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Ubuntu 14.04 Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17r SE
If you want to play around with Linux, run it from a persistent USB stick - or more elegantly side by side with Windows in virtual. That does not muck up your system and is really easy to install.

I run Mint Mate which is much closer to Windows than Ubuntu ever was - it uses a lot of Ubuntu facilities though. In some areas Linux is more advanced than Windows and in other areas it has less function. It all depends what you are trying to do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I would suggest after the 2nd install of Ubuntu there wont be much to recover from the previous installation. Two partitions on the drive is also a safer way to proceed with dual boot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS7360
    CPU
    Intel E8400 (Wolfdale)
    Motherboard
    MS 7360 P35 V1.0
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Geforce GT610
    Sound Card
    Realtek Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 19" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    3 x 500 GB Hitachi and Seagate Drives
    PSU
    Corsair 500W
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    2 case fans, Artic CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    MS Comfort 4500
    Internet Speed
    19 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
I would suggest after the 2nd install of Ubuntu there wont be much to recover from the previous installation. Two partitions on the drive is also a safer way to proceed with dual boot.

That's what I had. Ubuntu has what I can only describe as inherent ambiguity in the installation process. Also appears to have a recognised bug that might have caused this.

Kicking myself as with each release I hope it will be as good as Windows. It never is.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Ubuntu 14.04 Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17r SE
There is a (disputed) bug in Ubuntu that will sometimes result in erasing the entire drive when simply installing or reinstalling Ubuntu. I'm saying disputed because, all though it has been reported numerous times on the Ubuntu forums, folks there tend to believe that everything like this must be the Poster's fault.
 

My Computer

Let me just offer you a bit of advice on this whole Ubuntu thing. Its a great OS for those who Eat, Sleep, Breathe Linux. If this is not you then do not do the dual boot thing ever. I service pcs and macs on a daily basis for a college and at least few times a week we get a pc or mac that comes in where someone dual boots and breaks their primary OS some how. Its gotten so bad that we had to change the hardware policy for students so that all machines are required to have enough Ram and a powerful enough CPU so that they can virtualize other OSes. While I am not saying it can't be done, its just safer to virtualize and not have to deal with the potential of this headache happening at the worst possible time like say finals week or the day before you have to present your thesis.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Let me just offer you a bit of advice on this whole Ubuntu thing. Its a great OS for those who Eat, Sleep, Breathe Linux. If this is not you then do not do the dual boot thing ever. I service pcs and macs on a daily basis for a college and at least few times a week we get a pc or mac that comes in where someone dual boots and breaks their primary OS some how. Its gotten so bad that we had to change the hardware policy for students so that all machines are required to have enough Ram and a powerful enough CPU so that they can virtualize other OSes. While I am not saying it can't be done, its just safer to virtualize and not have to deal with the potential of this headache happening at the worst possible time like say finals week or the day before you have to present your thesis.

I've had no install issues first I first started using Linux in 2007. There's a first time for everything though right? I've thought long and hard about the dual boot thing and decided to just stick with Windows from now on. I was usuing Linux less and less anyway.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Ubuntu 14.04 Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17r SE
And if the machine is not powerful enough for virtualization, you can always run any Linux distro from a USB stick. Then Linux has all the system resources and will run on the most modest PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Hi there

Try this

1) insert windows install or recovery disk -- Windows 7 disks also work

2) Repair system ===> tools & utilities ==>command prompt

3) type in bootrec/fixmbr
bootrec/fixboot

Now you should get your windows partition back (and bootable)

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
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