Remix OS deletes a partition reproducibly on bootup - Remix OS for PC

I have a major problem, it could even be a grave bug, as my USB INSTALL=1 I succeeded to place on a USB3 stick (32-bit, some REMIX B2016112201 version) has nothing else to do than silently format one completely different ext3 partition on a completely different harddrive (sda6). I can, however, bootup the USB full install on several barebones without HDD, no problem, but if I run it with this Laptop here which is multi booting with HDD (sda) and SSD (sdb) it has the nerve to destroy data and I do not know what it makes so destructive. It boots up, and I can use it, but it destroys my Ubuntu mdadm RAID system (on bootup, it seems) . I am alerted now, and will not use it in multiboot environment, does anybody have an idea which boot option could trigger a quiet format of a partition. Thanks, tikreen
PS Sorry wrong title please edit it someone; The Partition itself is not deleted, but the files and folders are.

Related

[Q] Dual boot fail with Ubuntu/Windows 8

Im fully aware that this is more for the development of the Ubuntu Touch, yet because I wanted to start developing, I ended up attempting to dual boot Ubuntu 13.10 alonside Windows 8 to create a proper developing enviornment to learn more about kernel/AOSP build development. VMs wont cut it, as I was advised.
I ended up being able to dual boot Ubuntu 13.10 alongside Windows 8. I had troubles creating a partition for Ubuntu and seemed to have accidentally formatted the biggest drive, which I believe was where the Windows 8 OS was stored. I successfully put Ubuntu on there, installation working smoothly, or so I thought. Upon restart, I entered the GRUB boot selector. I first attempted to enter the Ubuntu OS, which brought me to a black writable page. I restarted the HP and tried booting into Windows 8. It gave me the error that the OS is missing. Now Im stuck in the bootloader and cant access my PC. I have an HP Dv6-6033cl laptop with a 750 hard drive I believe. Any help is appreciated.
Ouch.
If you formatted the Windows partition from NTFS over to ext3 and put Ubuntu on that partition... You've pretty much guaranteed you'll be starting over from scratch.
Ouch.
Before doing anything drastic, get a friend to burn a copy of System Rescue CD for you. Enter Bios and set Boot from CD as the first choice, then boot the Rescue disk. Inspect your drive with the G-Parted tool and find out where you stand with the various partitions.
If your Windows (the partition all the way to the left in the GUI) was indeed formatted to something like ext3, I'm not sure what can be done. If it is still NTFS and you have a Windows CD you can attempt a repair. There are programs out there that will help recover lost files if you can restore Windows, such as iCare Data Recovery.
Did I say "Ouch?"
Ouch.
It may just be a bad flag in the GRUB. Let's hope so. Otherwise... Ouch.
Well this is what it looks like so far:
I know I have two options; completely boot Ubuntu OS or Windows. Only issue is, Id rather not lose all my data.
*Please note - I am not IT trained - this is my amateur advice as someone who has had similar issues. Others (including trained persons) may have wildly different opinions on how you should proceed. I offer this advice in hopes it helps you recover your computer. I can make no guarantees. Proceed at your own risk. This is in no way superior to seeking a qualified repair at a reputable shop which would be the optimal solution.
OK it looks like you didn't overwrite/reformat your Windows partition. It does have issues. (It's labeled sda1/system.) The boot flag is missing, That's likely a bad GRUB install. The used and unused numbers don't add up so it's not being read correctly (possible damaged registry). sda4 is most likely the factory recovery partition for Windows.
Did you make a Recovery Disk? Tell me you did and you can find it...
If it was me, I'd do the following.
Insert your Recovery Disk and attempt a Windows repair
Assuming you can boot into Windows after the repair: make a full set of Backup disks
Make note of how much space Windows and associated program/files are using on the hard drive - you'll want this for reference later
If you have a Recovery Disk and a set of Backup disks you can get back to where you are at any time
Boot into System Rescue CD again, start GParted and begin work on your partitions
Your partitions are nonsensical - partition sda2 (Ubuntu) is only 200 MB which is way too small to be of any use for a working OS, you should probably wipe out partitions sda2, sda3, sda5 and the unallocated space - if it were me I'd take out sda4 as well (you have Recovery disks and you want that space)
Format all the partitions you are reclaiming as NTFS (for now) - Merge all contiguous partitions
Now you can make two separate and distinct choices:
EITHER
A) Keep your Windows install (sda1) and move it to the beginning of the drive (left side of the graphic representation bar) - Moving can cause data corruption (so they warn, but I didn't have an issue when I did this) - moving the partition will save you a lot of time
OR
B) Erase your current Windows by formatting sda1 as a new NTFS partition and merging it with the other space - you should then have one seamless NTFS partition - Use your Recovery and Backup disks to reinstall Windows and recover program/files - This takes longer, but a clean install is always nice.
If you use A) from above, you should have a free 124 GB partition at the end of the hard drive for your Ubuntu install. You can format it as ext3 or ext4 (using GParted) before installing Ubuntu... Or you can just let Ubuntu format it during the install.
If you use B) from above you should decide how much space you want for Ubuntu. Leave enough room for Windows to grow, but give ample space for Ubuntu as well. Create a new partition at the end of the drive in the size you've chosen for Ubuntu and format it as ext3 or ext4. Install and recover Windows files/programs to the NTFS partition at the beginning of the hard drive. Install Ubuntu to the ext partition at the end of the hard drive.
Good Luck!!!
I ended doing a full boot of Ubuntu, since I formatted my Windows 8 partition. I messed up pretty badly, but doing a full install of Ubuntu saved my computer. Unfortunately, I did lose my files. I believe so anyway. Thank you anyway. I will keep this tabbed and refer it to anyone that ever has any issue as I did!
xTurtlex said:
I ended doing a full boot of Ubuntu, since I formatted my Windows 8 partition. I messed up pretty badly, but doing a full install of Ubuntu saved my computer. Unfortunately, I did lose my files. I believe so anyway. Thank you anyway. I will keep this tabbed and refer it to anyone that ever has any issue as I did!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the screen cap you showed, it looks like Windows is still salvageable... Or did you do something else after the screen cap was snapped?
I completely formatted the hard drive to run Ubuntu. I doubt its salvageable without a huge fee.
RumoredNow said:
According to the screen cap you showed, it looks like Windows is still salvageable... Or did you do something else after the screen cap was snapped?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came across a forensic tool called TestDisk. I have an external hard drive I can use to back up all my lost files onto. Viable solution?
Ok just advice if your installing Ubuntu. When you get asked how u want to install ubuntu always hit 'something else' that's the safest way.
If u have windows installed ... then I feel sorry for you lol
After installing ubuntu on another partition on windows hdd you find only ubuntu is able to boot
Why not just edit grub config,
Add
Title windows
Set root='hd*,msdos*'
Chainloader +1
That will add an option under ubuntu boot screen [grub] to boot windows boot loader [dual booting]
Partitioning advice;
The reason to separate so much is iit makes it 100x easier to restore/backup if something goes wrong. [Ubintu once gave me an error after fresh install using a disk]
sda1 /boot
sda2 /
sda3 /home
sda4 /swap
sdb1 windows
sdb2 storage space to share between OS's
sd** [only good if you use linux alot] extra hdds in a lvm [turns all spare hdds into one folder e.g 1tb 500gb 250gn hdds will become a 1.75tb folder]
Another example of why to hate Windows 8. They started securing the boot loader to make it extremely difficult to dual boot another OS with it. I used to like Windows but it seems to get worse with each iteration.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
lalec said:
Another example of why to hate Windows 8. They started securing the boot loader to make it extremely difficult to dual boot another OS with it. I used to like Windows but it seems to get worse with each iteration.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup but its been crap since the original dos code was found in the bin.
So its been worthless from the start winxp was just about bare able.
Main problem with windows though is why should we have to pay for half ass work and then pay to patch up the holes with antivirus's
When I can install linux free be more secure and be free to change any part of os I please.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Question: Install Remix on dedicated HDD (No dual boot) ???

I understand how to install Remix onto a bootable USB flash drive. I understand how to format a partition on an existing HDD to dual boot between Windows and Remix.
However, I can not seem to figure out how to install Remix onto a separate HDD from the one that the current OS is on, in order to be put into a separate computer. Basically, I have an old Dell Mini 10 and I want to install Remix OS onto the 120GB HDD, but I do not need any other operating system on it. Is this possible?
If so, how can I deviate from the procedure to install Remix onto a HDD partition that is meant to be stand-alone, not dual boot? I can't be the only person who is trying to do this.
Now you have to make the same installation as Remix os on Virtual machine
Put remix os on bootable usb as usual use official installer when you done restart and boot to remix os
at boot menu press TAP at debug mode
now you modify the command
at the end of the first line make space and insert INSTALL=1 and press F10
now you will create boot partition ext4 GPT/UEFI or MBR and make it bootable
Note
choose sda= internal HDD
sdb=USB
now if you on MBR choose install grub if UEFI skip and install the next grub/UEFI
choose read/write mode
done
imadlatch said:
...
now you modify the command
at the end of the first line make space and insert INSTALL=1 and press F10
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I can't believe it was actually that simple. Thank you!
imadlatch said:
Now you have to make the same installation as Remix os on Virtual machine
Put remix os on bootable usb as usual use official installer when you done restart and boot to remix os
at boot menu press TAP at debug mode
now you modify the command
at the end of the first line make space and insert INSTALL=1 and press F10
now you will create boot partition ext4 GPT/UEFI or MBR and make it bootable
Note
choose sda= internal HDD
sdb=USB
now if you on MBR choose install grub if UEFI skip and install the next grub/UEFI
choose read/write mode
done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use same method and i allways end up with faild to create data.img and i get promt to run android x86 or reboot. I select to run and pc restart and i get
error:unknown filesystem.
Entring rescue mode...
Grub rescue>
For me there is no possible way to run remix os with any method.
Cpu: Pentium 4 HT 630
Mbo: Intel 915gux
Gpu: Integrated on mbo
Ram: 3GB
xperia u20i said:
I use same method and i allways end up with faild to create data.img and i get promt to run android x86 or reboot. I select to run and pc restart and i get
error:unknown filesystem.
Entring rescue mode...
Grub rescue>
For me there is no possible way to run remix os with any method.
Cpu: Pentium 4 HT 630
Mbo: Intel 915gux
Gpu: Integrated on mbo
Ram: 3GB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this method wont create data.img but data folder
make sure you create bootable ext4 partition EFI or mbr up to your bios
Possible? Definitely.
It IS indeed possible, and I have accomplished it on my secondary laptop (Read HERE for how I did it).
@imadlatch The GRUB/GRUB2 install didn't work in my case. I tried the GRUB first, as I'm on a legacy BIOS, and although it did say "Installation Successful", upon reboot, I was greeted with a very nice "OS Not Found" Message. The same happened for GRUB2. So I just went ahead and got an Ubuntu Live USB, and installed the latest GRUB2-Legacy from there. Edited the grub.cfg and everything worked perfectly. 320GB HDD, all for Remix OS. Persistent data, rooted, everything.
@TwistyTravster Did you remove the "CREATE_DATA_IMG=1" from the command line, or just add the "INSTALL=1"? If you didn't remove the data image part, then you should (according to my tests) only have a 4GB /data partition... Or did it allocate the WHOLE HDD? Just interested in seeing how other people with different setups got Remix OS working...
Riccorbypro said:
@TwistyTravster Did you remove the "CREATE_DATA_IMG=1" from the command line, or just add the "INSTALL=1"? If you didn't remove the data image part, then you should (according to my tests) only have a 4GB /data partition... Or did it allocate the WHOLE HDD? Just interested in seeing how other people with different setups got Remix OS working...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just added INSTALL=1 to the end. And yes, I ended up with only 4GB data partition, but I then removed the drive from my netbook, mounted it on my main PC and performed the IMGTools mod to increase data.img file size from 4GB to 256GB of the total 320GB on the harddrive I used. The process took about an hour to complete due to the extremely large size that I was enlarging data.img to. You use the number 274877906944 bytes for the command for 256GB. Considering how well this worked, I bet you could enlarge data.img to literally ANY size... probably larger than you'll ever need. Just imagine a total of 1TB space on Remix OS.... LOL!
The biggest problem I'm having is my old netbook doesn't have the graphics capability for h.264 decoding. So I'm getting a Broadcom Crystal HD decoder for the internal mini PCI-E slot, which should allow better 1080p streaming for movies. I plan to use Moonlight Streaming to stream full quality games from my main Gaming PC to my tiny netbook. It will be pretty hilarious seeing a 10" netbook playing games like Crysis in 1080p (probably downscaled to 720p) at 60fps.
I already have a Mad Catz MOJO in my living room that I stream games and movies to, which has been modded to use Remix 2.0 OS as well.
See here.
TwistyTravster said:
I just added INSTALL=1 to the end. And yes, I ended up with only 4GB data partition, but I then removed the drive from my netbook, mounted it on my main PC and performed the IMGTools mod to increase data.img file size from 4GB to 256GB of the total 320GB on the harddrive I used. The process took about an hour to complete due to the extremely large size that I was enlarging data.img to. You use the number 274877906944 bytes for the command for 256GB. Considering how well this worked, I bet you could enlarge data.img to literally ANY size... probably larger than you'll ever need. Just imagine a total of 1TB space on Remix OS.... LOL!
The biggest problem I'm having is my old netbook doesn't have the graphics capability for h.264 decoding. So I'm getting a Broadcom Crystal HD decoder for the internal mini PCI-E slot, which should allow better 1080p streaming for movies. I plan to use Moonlight Streaming to stream full quality games from my main Gaming PC to my tiny netbook. It will be pretty hilarious seeing a 10" netbook playing games like Crysis in 1080p (probably downscaled to 720p) at 60fps.
I already have a Mad Catz MOJO in my living room that I stream games and movies to, which has been modded to use Remix 2.0 OS as well.
See here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if you feel the need to reinstall, then just remove the CREATE_DATA_IMG=1 - it'll use a folder on your HDD called "data" instead. That is, assuming you formatted to ext4 for the R/W /system... I don't know if the same works on Windows...
Now there's something I would LOVE to see! A 10 inch netbook playing games that aren't Minecraft!!!
I'm using my Secondary Laptop (Toshiba Satellite C660) as an Android PC with Remix at the moment, and that thing RUNS! I think the only thing limiting it is the slow internet at my university...
Anyways, please report back on the games, as I might use that myself...
P.S. It took 5 Minutes to install Remix on my Toshiba when I didn't do the data.img, so I would recommend using it that way...
Riccorbypro said:
Well, if you feel the need to reinstall, then just remove the CREATE_DATA_IMG=1 - it'll use a folder on your HDD called "data" instead. That is, assuming you formatted to ext4 for the R/W /system... I don't know if the same works on Windows...
...
P.S. It took 5 Minutes to install Remix on my Toshiba when I didn't do the data.img, so I would recommend using it that way...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So remove CREATE_DATA_IMG=1, and it automatically uses the entire HDD storage instead of only 4GB, as long as it it formatted to EX4? Is that what I'm understanding?
have followed the procedure but i still cannot boot from hdd. my hardware is T61 with 4G RAM, 500G HDD (yes bios not uefi). just a blank screen after bios cannot boot up. any hint?
possible failed to create a bootable ext4 under cgdisk 1.0.0? must use ext4?
Use gparted to create ext4 partition and make USB ready for remix os install then add this to menu.lst
(Unetbootin will do fine)
label ubnentry2
menu label ^Install Remix OS to harddisk
kernel /kernel
append initrd=/initrd.img root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=remix_x86_64 androidboot.selinux=permissive quiet INSTALL=1 DEBUG=
Change value"androidboot.hardware=remix_x86_64 to remix_x86" if u use 32 bit remix os
Press (ESC) at grub config , select " install remix os to hardisk" follow procedure installation and report back the result here
after you press tab on resident mode, remove everything after "quiet". Then put INSTALL=0 right after quiet and you can install on ext4. if you don't do this, it adds a line in grub that says "USB_USE_DATA=1" which causes the screen to get stuck at the flashing remix screen.
I have a solution with boot error
To install Remix OS directly on HDD without dualboot :
First, to prepare bootloader, install Ubuntu from USB or DVD that format all drive in EXT4.
Once Ubuntu is installed put remix OS usb key which have been prepared and reboot on USB Key.
Install as arts821 says (Thanks arts821)
/kernel initrd=/initrd.img root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=remix_x86_64 androidboot.selinux=permissive quiet INSTALL=1 DEBUG=
Change value"androidboot.hardware=remix_x86_64 to remix_x86" if u use 32 bit remix os
Press (ESC) at grub config , select " install remix os to hardisk" follow procedure installation and report back the result here
TwistyTravster said:
I understand how to install Remix onto a bootable USB flash drive. I understand how to format a partition on an existing HDD to dual boot between Windows and Remix.
However, I can not seem to figure out how to install Remix onto a separate HDD from the one that the current OS is on, in order to be put into a separate computer. Basically, I have an old Dell Mini 10 and I want to install Remix OS onto the 120GB HDD, but I do not need any other operating system on it. Is this possible?
If so, how can I deviate from the procedure to install Remix onto a HDD partition that is meant to be stand-alone, not dual boot? I can't be the only person who is trying to do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it work also with one hdd but if your windows is not installed with efi before ,and remove your hdd windows before to install os remix like here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaLbOek1X-g
you dont need to do your partition like me with windows if u have only one hdd remove your hdd windows create one partition primary( 1 )having like 500 mo with os remix and after your partition primary bootable os remix choose yes also all time like me when you choose to format the partition os remix in ext 4 like that it will not found your partition windows ,because your hdd windows is not plug in .
after you need to disable efi for boot on windows or efi enable for boot on os remix
(but sorry u don't need to remove ur hdd really because you can take grub 2 only for efi and skip the grub only not efi during installation...normally it take all time the one like sda1 for her boot efi
and it work well for me because i've windows 7 now + os remix x64 on my ssd , and i've reinstall os remix taking grub 2 efi only and it have not touched my boot windows not efi working only if you have before create a partition 1 for os remix boot efi keeping the 2 for windows not efi
i've try on the pc of my friend a dual boot os remix x64 not efi with windows 7 it work ...it can be windows 10 the problem or my motherboard i'm not sure i will try
it work on the motherboard of my friend with no efi dual boot windows 7x64 + os remix x64 but not on my pc ...really strange
but i prefer boot os remix efi enabled only because i can touch the grub easily

Resident mode stopped working...

Hey! I installed the Remix OS beta when it came out at the beginning of this month, and everything worked well. I initially installed it onto an SD as a test, then moved to a USB as I found it to be quite useful, using Resident mode the whole time in order to save files.
I decided to switch USBs I was using, so made a fresh install onto a Integral 32GB USB3 stick. I also installed Phoenix OS onto the same SD I had previously used as a test. I decided to run Phoenix OS first to test it out (it boots fine), then I tired to boot up the new Remix install on the USB. Here's where the problems begin.... Guest mode works 100% (even using a DPI flag at boot), but Resident just hangs. I've tried multiple fresh installs on different USBs and even booting on different PCs. I feel like I'm losing my mind! Any ideas?
Ok, so I'm back to (sort of) answer my own question, just in case anyone else runs into the same problem when attempting to run Resident mode from a USB.
After looking at the boot options I realised that Resident mode was looking to format partition 1 on the USB at boot, this is where the boot was hanging without any confirmation of a successful format. This combined with the fact that Guest mode worked without a hitch made me realised that the partitions on the USB were messed up. I couldn't figure out how to successfully remove all the partitions using windows partition manager, so a quick format using "SD Formatter" (don't stop here as it won't work yet) to remove the partitions and restore the USB to its original size, then a long format using "USB Disk Storage Format Tool" did the trick. It takes about 30mins to format a 32GB USB using these tools, but it's the only method I've found to restore the USB to it's original state.
For future reference, to fix up the disk using built in Windows tools you can just run Diskpart from the command line, then use the following commands:
Code:
list disk
select disk x (whichever the number is for the USB stick)
clean
create partition primary
format fs=ntfs quick
exit
Takes around 1 minute.

Dual boot with Remix on primary partition

Is there any guide or tutorial on how to setup a dual boot when Remix OS for PC is already installed on primary partition and wanting to install a second OS (Windows) on remaining empty disk space (NTFS)?
You might find some hints here https://goo.gl/N9S9zE
---------- Post added at 08:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:46 AM ----------
Should maybe add that the only diifference is that you will have to prepare the partitions using live media. Windows and Linux installers do the job, or GParted on a Linux USB-stick
The only difference with what?
You will want to shrink the partition to be able to create and format a ntfs partition on the disk space not needed by RemixOS. Don't think you can do that from inside RemixOS. If you already have empty space outside the RemixOS partition, you can just install to it - so then I don't understand you question.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
hallergard said:
You will want to shrink the partition to be able to create and format a ntfs partition on the disk space not needed by RemixOS. Don't think you can do that from inside RemixOS. If you already have empty space outside the RemixOS partition, you can just install to it - so then I don't understand you question.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's correct: I already shrunk this space and NTFS formatted it.
If I install a whatever other OS there on this partition - let's say WIN7 - how will I be able to select from where my computer will boot up when tuning it on?
If my primary partition has Remix and the secondary Win7 - at some point I will need to make a choice with which one I want to boot up my computer, right? My question is: how do I manage this dual boot choice?
Because my main boot on primary partition is currently Remix (and not Win).
OK, now understand that the question was about bootloaders. Assume you are using Legacy MBR rather than UEFI GPT. Windows prefers to be in the first partition on MBR - which you can achieve by moving the RemixOS partition with some cloning app like Clonezilla, or by using GParted in Linux. But it is possible to have Windows in the second position: I would use the Ranish Partition Manager, which allows you to change the position of the boot flag right after the Bios https://goo.gl/1bLYEE
Yep, that's it!
Many thanks for your ideas and the excellent resource site I discovered at the same time.
It happens I installed Remix OS on a laptop's FULL 500MB HD... and now I somehow regret the move.
Simply because this is too much wasted space for Android and there is a lot of empty space that I can use for something else.
Before installing I only changed in the BIOS the UEFI to legacy, and this, as far as I understand, should be MBR probably.
So, at this point, everything works fine. I could leave it as is.
But as I love running into complications and learn from them, I try to find something to do with some 300 MB disk space Android will never need for what I'm doing with it.
So, I much like your idea of changing the position of the boot flag but first I'll need to have a closer look at your video and better understand the process.
And also want to be sure my disk is MBR, if I find a way to securely verify that.
What steps would you suggest taking at this point?
And what option would you rather suggest - moving Remix OS or using Ranish?
Sounds like MBR if you do not have an EFI partition. I would go for Ranish, but I think you should consider wiping the drive, installing Windows 7 (suggest downloading the free ISO which includes SP1 from Microsoft) and reinstall RemixOS. Moving the drive is a quite tedious task. Then you can decide which bootmenu to use. I never learnt how to put RemixOS onto the Windows bootmenu (as I think Linux Grub2 is so much easier), but I am sure somebody can tell you howto. Or use the RemixOS bootmenu - by the way, which one are you using now Grub, Grub2 or something else? Or use Ranish!?
After double checking, it appears my partition is still UEFI...
Seems I was wrong with that.
Many thanks for your help and I think I'll follow your advice and start over again...
PS: I currently use GRUB2
hallergard said:
You might find some hints here https://goo.gl/N9S9zE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very helpful page, thanks for this!
Is there a way to convert a disk from GPT to MBR without losing data?
NO. But are you sure that your disk is GPT? Windows diskmgmt.msc or in Linux GParted.
Yes, 100% sure.
Maybe you should leave it as GPT. Main advantage for you would be quicker boot times and probably not having to reinstall RemixOS. How many partitions do you have? Which one is RemixOS and which is EFI? Do you see the grub2 menu (or is delay 0 sek)?
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
A single partition for Remix, the primary one.
Grub2 has a delay set to 0 but I can see it when I press F8.
So you have a GPT disk but have made a Legacy install, not a UEFI install. If you now make UEFI installation of Windows 7 you will probably not see your grub2 menu (even if changing the time) so you would loose booting into RemixOS. What you can do then is to reinstall RemixOS as a uEFI install on top of your present without formatting if possible. Just the same before reinstalling copy over the big data.img file to the Win-7 partition, and if you had to format, you can copy it back. data.img holds all your app installations etc.
I'm not sure I well understand. My disk is GPT and my PC's BIOS is set to support Legacy disks.
Remix was initially installed on a ext4 partition on the whole HDD.
Where is that data.img file?
In any case, my idea is not Win7 but, for particular reasons, I want to install WinXP at main partition and Remix on dual boot.
What would you recommend without, if possible, having to re-install all Android settings, data and apps?
The data.img file resides in the root folder RemixOS of the Remix partition. You can not see it from inside a booted RemixOS, but you can see it if your mount the partition from outside, easiest from Linux (could be from Live Media), but also from an active Windows partition (if you install a third party driver such as Ext2Fsd.exe).
I am not sure if you can install Windows XP on a GPT disk at all, not even in Legacy mode. You can always try, and if you do succeed you will be able to install Ext2Fsd, and copy data.img to your XP partition as backup.
In Legacy mode Win-XP would overwrite the drive's mbr which means that you could boot Windows-XP but not RemixOS. So how to add RemixOS to your Windows boot menu? I was thinking that if you install EasyBCD you would be able to add RemixOS as a Linux partition - but I am not sure if that will work. Probably this choice will be greyed out when EasyBCD notices that you haved a GPT disk. I never learnt how one are supposed to add to the Windows boot menu, using "Bcdedit" - maybe someone else can teach you.
So with Win-XP my advice is to redo from scratch and install Win-XP on the first partition of the MBR drive and RemixOS on the second.
Many thanks for your patience and sorry if I'm taking too much of your time but I find your comments very constructive and might also be helpful for other members here..
I now realize that my previous message was not very clear, and probably also not complete:
I was meaning that I wanted to start over again, by formatting my disk in MBR (2 partitions) and by keeping all my existing Remix settings and apps as they are.
For the first point, I think it's quite straight forward: I just format my disk and create 2 new partitions.
Knowing that I'll install WinXP on the first one and Remix on the second, what formats would you recommend for those partitions?
Then, for restoring my existing settings and apps, I understand that I'll need to copy and later restore at same location the file data.img - possible using a live boot USB such as Ultimate Boot CD (I prefer Windows tools)? I tried with Ubuntu Live USB but was unable to gain access to root...
I found some Android apps that are doing backup/restore of settings and apps data but your idea with data.img sounds better.
Will this single file do somehow the same job and contain all Android-Remix settings and app data+settings?
Now, the missing part of the instructions is what will happen next, after WinXP is installed at the primary partition?
How to install Remix on the secondary one and how to dual boot when turning the PC on?
I would really appreciate if you may follow-up with this. Many thanks!
I recommend NTFS for XP and ext4 for Remix.
Let me explain about data.img v. data folder. Remix is a kind of Linux system and the data and system folders will not function on NTFS or FAT32. Therefore there is the alternative data.img, one big bundle file with all the content of the data folder inside, this to be used when installing with a Windows system using the installer exe file. To get the data folder instead of the data.img you have to 1.) create a USB stick from the ISO file - I use Rufus.exe in windows 2.) edit the kernel command line (hit TAB) and add "INSTALL=1" and 3.) install to an ext4 partition. I usually prepare and format to ext4 beforehand, so I answer No to format, but you should format here. https://youtu.be/e-4lgdjT-4Q (the root folder used to be called RemixOS-date, but is now only RemixOS).
I have assumed that you have been using the official windows installer and thus have the big data.img file. And you have to rescue it before you format the disk, by copying the file, or cloning the partition (making a partition image) - probably in either case to a USB drive - to later reuse after partitioning of the drive. I would be interested to hear if you actually can install Windows XP on your present second partition, because if you can do that, it would be the easiest way to rescue the data.img file. And if you fail to install XP no harm is done.
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Now, the missing part of the instructions is what will happen next, after WinXP is installed at the primary partition?
How to install Remix on the secondary one and how to dual boot when turning the PC on?
I suggest you do Remix first. Either restore the partition image and proceed with the XP installation. Or install RemixOS, do not add "INSTALL=1" but format to ext4, Yes to grub (and grub2 if asked) and yes to system directory as read/write, and when asked to Run Android or Reboot, choose reboot. Rebooting will probably not work, but don't worry, just proceed with the XP installation.
In XP copy install Ext2Fsd and EasyBCD. Start Ext2fsd and give the second partition and drive letter, say D:. You will now be able to mount D: and copy over the data.img file (replace if you managed to boot) to the RemixOS folder (don't need to this in the cloning case). Run EasyBCD and third down Add New Entry, then second tab for Linux, add a name RemixOS and choose the drive and tap add entry. Go back to second down Edit Boot Menu and change Count down to something like 6 seconds and save. Now try rebooting, you should get a boot menu, chose RemixOS. And if it is not working, contact me so that we can edit out the Remix boot menu file.
I am a pensioner with plenty of free time, so I am only glad to help out.
Thanks for this.
OK for "NTFS for XP and ext4 for Remix" but I'm bit confused for the remaining...
I initially installed Remix by following this guide.
So yes, it's the official Win installer.
Now, for the remaining I still don't get it on how to backup this data.img file or folder... and also what the next steps you suggest are.
I don't well understand what you mean by working from within XP.
First I don't have XP installed yet because I really don't know how to install it on second partition and second if I ever was able to do this without touching my current Remix installation why should I backup/restore the data.img file? I mean that makes sense only if I have to start over again.
So, I'm really sorry but I'm lost at this point.
For the time being, I only have a Remix installation that works.
What should I do next precisely?

Installation from USB 3 issues. Won't install at all.

Hello, I'm trying to use a 32GB usb 3 stick as a portable OS with persistence. I've downloaded the files and followed the instructions to mount the image on the stick, however when I try to boot, after the GRUB screen I get a couple of error messages. The first is something like:
Cannot detect usb write speed, system may not boot
(it's a brand new USB 3 stick)
Then the second message is:
Cannot enter resident mode, not enough space
(weird as it's a 32GB stick)
The system I'm trying to run it on is a windows 7 Lenovo Thinkpad x131e which has 4GB of ram and uses an i3 u3227U processor.
Please could someone help me? I bought the USB key especially to have a portable OS and am a bit disappointed that nothing is working.
Thanks in advance
you need to provide more information about your setup.
1. GPT or MBR system?
2. EUFI or LEGACY bios?
3. using remix installer or third party installer?
4?what format is the usb thumb drive?
etc etc.
In Portable Boot, Remix OS will create 3 Partition in the boot medium,
First is the Remix System itself (REMIXOSSYS).
Second is the Remix Resident User data partition (REMIXOS DATA).
Third is the Windows-readable partition.
Usually, Remix won't boot from USB v1.0 or Slow Version of v2.0, based on my experience. It needs at least ~16Mbps Read Speed and ~8Mbps Write (v2.0), It's recommended to determine which USB version you use to boot. USB v3.0 is better.
One more is, my 8GB Flash disk are separated to 3 Partition by RemixOS which is 4GB for System, 2GB for Resident User Data and the rest for Windows-readable. But I shrink the System to 2GB and grow Data to 4GB to be able to install my apps inside.
You see? My 8GB USB are separated by 4:2:2, maybe yours too, sometime Remix only Randomize the Size of Resident Data Partition and Windows-readable Partition, and there's a chance that your Resident Partition are created smaller than what Resident mode need to run. It always good to explain your problem more detailed here as I can help some about bootable USB.
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