Cannot run Win XP or ubuntu after installing Windows 8

[fafhrd]

The Ubuntu buffs think that Wubi may not work with Windows 8 in its present state, and the Ubuntu developers will not attempt to create a working version until after the public release of Windows 8. The following experience shows that I do not believe that at all:

I have a multiboot machine with Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8 CP. It boots into a Windows 7 boot menu, and runs all 3 versions of windows without a hitch. I have tried to install the Wubi version of Ubuntu 12.04 without being able to boot from the menu, first under XP then under Windows 7. Finally I am trying under Windows 8.

The first difference is that Wubi.exe has discovered the earlier attempt to install under Windows 7 and is uninstalling this. It did not happen under Windows 7 when I was trying to install over the unsuccessful attempt under XP - It just complained that there was an existing Ubuntu folder that needs to be removed before the install can take place.

I am just running the latest version of Ubuntu 12.04 Wubi (Windows Installer) now under Windows 8.

Wubi has run and is restarting Windows 8 - and lo! - it booted straight into Ubuntu 12.04.

It has taken my Windows 8 username, and the password I entered at the beginning of the Wubi install process.

On restart, I have a windows 7 boot menu, the last entry is Ubuntu, which takes me to a GNU GRUB version 1.99-21Ubuntu3 menu which loads Ubuntu as hoped, and on restart, the Windows 7 boot menu loads all the Windows versions normally.

So, Emma, try copying your Ubuntu folder to some other folder name, and back it up to be on the safe side. Under Windows 8, go to the Ubuntu website and download the Windows installer for Ubuntu 12.04, and run it. If it recognises the existing Ubuntu installation and uninstalls the old Ubuntu, you still have your copy and back-up.

Once the install has run and all is working - bootmenu for - XP, W8, Ubuntu, just rename the Ubuntu folder, and then rename the copy of your old Ubuntu installation back to Ubuntu, and restart.

Best of luck.

 

[Calico]

Can you check the root of your C: partition for a boot.ini file. It's the old boot loader for XP. I'm not sure if these third-party utilities recreate this.