Related
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
Hello,
i would like to watch some maxdome, netflix etc. films and series in a place, we haven't got internet. Because you can't download videos for offline using on pc, I thought i can install Remix OS on a external Harddrive, install apps like maxdome to download films at home and watch it offline. It works, but you only have nearly 4 gb internal storage on this operating system. I found a tutorial on how to increase the internal storage, but this only works on harddrives formatted to NTFS. And you can't install Remix OS on a NTFS formatted external harddrive, can you?. Is there any way to increase the internal storage on FAT32? Will the developers of Remix OS increase the internal storage in the future?(Because it's only Alpha so far) Another problem is, that when i when I connect the laptop to the TV with HDMI, it only transfers the video, but no audio. Will this be fixed in the future?
Sorry, my english is not the best
I am trying to find a way to increase the "data.img" file that is generated on the USB stick... If I can't figure it how, the only option is installing on the HD and make the tuto's.
And I think its possible to install on an external drive and use the whole space. Gonna figure it out how 4 us, okay? \รต/
I think that the HDMI problem will be solved on the next updates. Anyway, its still on Alpha...
While its not solved, we can always use an P2-P2 audio cable ... haha.
The FAT32 file system has a limitation of 4GB files. There's no way to have a bigger data.img without making your flash drive NTFS
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Hello,
i would like to watch some maxdome, netflix etc. films and series in a place, we haven't got internet. Because you can't download videos for offline using on pc, I thought i can install Remix OS on a external Harddrive, install apps like maxdome to download films at home and watch it offline. It works, but you only have nearly 4 gb internal storage on this operating system. I found a tutorial on how to increase the internal storage, but this only works on harddrives formatted to NTFS. And you can't install Remix OS on a NTFS formatted external harddrive, can you?. Is there any way to increase the internal storage on FAT32? Will the developers of Remix OS increase the internal storage in the future?(Because it's only Alpha so far) Another problem is, that when i when I connect the laptop to the TV with HDMI, it only transfers the video, but no audio. Will this be fixed in the future?
Sorry, my english is not the best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My HDMI audio does not work right either.
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Hello,
i would like to watch some maxdome, netflix etc. films and series in a place, we haven't got internet. Because you can't download videos for offline using on pc, I thought i can install Remix OS on a external Harddrive, install apps like maxdome to download films at home and watch it offline. It works, but you only have nearly 4 gb internal storage on this operating system. I found a tutorial on how to increase the internal storage, but this only works on harddrives formatted to NTFS. And you can't install Remix OS on a NTFS formatted external harddrive, can you?. Is there any way to increase the internal storage on FAT32? Will the developers of Remix OS increase the internal storage in the future?(Because it's only Alpha so far) Another problem is, that when i when I connect the laptop to the TV with HDMI, it only transfers the video, but no audio. Will this be fixed in the future?
Sorry, my english is not the best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey
After a while searching and studying about this, I realised that I couldn't make it on the pendrive.
BUT
i successfully installed the OS on my SSD ( OMG, such fast booting ). I split my SSD, formatted to EXT4 and installed, and BOOM! 12 gigs of internal storage.
What does it mean? It means that you can install on a flash drive, such as USB stick or External HD, formatting as EXT4 partition, and run from there.
I'll make some tutos ASAP, teaching how to make those tricky stuff.
BRB!
o/
fleflis said:
Hey
After a while searching and studying about this, I realised that I couldn't make it on the pendrive.
BUT
i successfully installed the OS on my SSD ( OMG, such fast booting ). I split my SSD, formatted to EXT4 and installed, and BOOM! 12 gigs of internal storage.
What does it mean? It means that you can install on a flash drive, such as USB stick or External HD, formatting as EXT4 partition, and run from there.
I'll make some tutos ASAP, teaching how to make those tricky stuff.
BRB!
o/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
Which program do you use to get the iso on a ext4 partition?
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Thanks,
Which program do you use to get the iso on a ext4 partition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can't.
But, you can install on another USB Stick.
This weekend is "Carnaval" in Brazil (National Holiday). I'll try to make one video explaining 4 u, okay?
[EDIT] Sorry, I'm gonna be a little busy this weekend. What you can do at all is to install the iso normally in a USB Stick, run it with the "INSTALL=1" parameter, format another USB with EXT4 and install it on the stick. You should get it with the internal storage as the size as the USB stick.
I didn't tried it yet, but its a possibility.
Let me know if you're gonna do this.
o/
fleflis said:
I think you can't.
But, you can install on another USB Stick.
This weekend is "Carnaval" in Brazil (National Holiday). I'll try to make one video explaining 4 u, okay?
[EDIT] Sorry, I'm gonna be a little busy this weekend. What you can do at all is to install the iso normally in a USB Stick, run it with the "INSTALL=1" parameter, format another USB with EXT4 and install it on the stick. You should get it with the internal storage as the size as the USB stick.
I didn't tried it yet, but its a possibility.
Let me know if you're gonna do this.
o/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get it. What is INSTALL=1 parameter and which program should i use to install it on the ext4 stick?
tommy.deissenbeck said:
I don't get it. What is INSTALL=1 parameter and which program should i use to install it on the ext4 stick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just install normally the ISO on a USB sitck and boot it normally. When it appears for you select on the both modes ( resident and some other ), you press "E" on your keyboard, to edit the command line. There, you put INSTALL=1 parameter. Then , you'll install it normally, just selecting the right stick.
fleflis said:
Just install normally the ISO on a USB sitck and boot it normally. When it appears for you select on the both modes ( resident and some other ), you press "E" on your keyboard, to edit the command line. There, you put INSTALL=1 parameter. Then , you'll install it normally, just selecting the right stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much, it works!
You just have to install GRUB bootloader when it asks you, the other questions you can skip. Then it works!
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Thank you very much, it works!
You just have to install GRUB bootloader when it asks you, the other questions you can skip. Then it works!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome!
Hit thanks button, plz <3
Curiosity
fleflis said:
You're welcome!
Hit thanks button, plz <3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will it install grub to the USB. I dont want to overwrite grub on my HDD. Currently I have managed to have a USB formated with ext4 and swap, and was able to use unetbootin to put install files on. I dont use the install option as I havent used the two usb as you have here. I do have a full install on my internal ssd and have 56 gb to play with but would like to have a usb that can boot on any computer with the ability to access more than 4gb. I have tried a few ways and if it doesnt mess with the bootloader on my ssd then id be happy to know that.
Digitalnom said:
Will it install grub to the USB. I dont want to overwrite grub on my HDD. Currently I have managed to have a USB formated with ext4 and swap, and was able to use unetbootin to put install files on. I dont use the install option as I havent used the two usb as you have here. I do have a full install on my internal ssd and have 56 gb to play with but would like to have a usb that can boot on any computer with the ability to access more than 4gb. I have tried a few ways and if it doesnt mess with the bootloader on my ssd then id be happy to know that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I discovered somethings with my notebook. Its an Asus X550LN, and the BIOS is as secure as hell. So, I had to search on the partitions created the GRUB that the installer says it was installed. And my BIOS just read one type of File System ( I don't remember it right now, but its the one that Windows uses, not Ubuntu ). When I found the GRUB bootloader on another partition, i just copied the files from one partition to another, added a boot option for it to reach the bootloader and BOOM, "chooseable dual-booted". Yeah, its hard because I have to enter in the BIOS everytime I want the other OS, but its a step. LoL.
Anyway, I think you should try to make a 400MB Partition to install the bootloader on the stick, and the space left just format as ext4 and install the RemixOS there.
Yeah... I don't know if you understand what I'm saying.... It can be confusing, but its perfectly clear on my mind. :silly:
I really need to make a video explaining everything... ASAP.
Still Trying
fleflis said:
I discovered somethings with my notebook. Its an Asus X550LN, and the BIOS is as secure as hell. So, I had to search on the partitions created the GRUB that the installer says it was installed. And my BIOS just read one type of File System ( I don't remember it right now, but its the one that Windows uses, not Ubuntu ). When I found the GRUB bootloader on another partition, i just copied the files from one partition to another, added a boot option for it to reach the bootloader and BOOM, "chooseable dual-booted". Yeah, its hard because I have to enter in the BIOS everytime I want the other OS, but its a step. LoL.
Anyway, I think you should try to make a 400MB Partition to install the bootloader on the stick, and the space left just format as ext4 and install the RemixOS there.
Yeah... I don't know if you understand what I'm saying.... It can be confusing, but its perfectly clear on my mind. :silly:
I really need to make a video explaining everything... ASAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can dual boot etc. I can do this through Ubuntu by editing the grub command, I have not tried using the REMIX bootloader because it will overwrite the one I am currently using. I have managed to have dual partitions on my stick, but alas cannot boot to the partition needed. Do you have any idea how to edit the lines for booting to the ext 4 on the stick? Its a little different than my Ubuntu grub edit and it just wonte see the secondary partition. Install went fine i look at the files and it's all there just cant figure out hot to edit the current boot config to boot proper -partition.
Thanks and totally get ya. :silly::laugh:
Digitalnom said:
I can dual boot etc. I can do this through Ubuntu by editing the grub command, I have not tried using the REMIX bootloader because it will overwrite the one I am currently using. I have managed to have dual partitions on my stick, but alas cannot boot to the partition needed. Do you have any idea how to edit the lines for booting to the ext 4 on the stick? Its a little different than my Ubuntu grub edit and it just wonte see the secondary partition. Install went fine i look at the files and it's all there just cant figure out hot to edit the current boot config to boot proper -partition.
Thanks and totally get ya. :silly::laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow... I had to mount the partitions manually on Ubuntu on the terminal ( like "mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/tempsda1" ). you should try somethings like that... just listing the partitions on all drives.
Good luck ! o/ :silly:
cannot navigate through disk options
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Thank you very much, it works!
You just have to install GRUB bootloader when it asks you, the other questions you can skip. Then it works!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI ALL!
Hi fleflis thanks for sharing your discoveries, so to make a bootable remix os usb stick that has more than 4gb internal android space is it difficult? im a total noob and i would like to know a step by step turtorial on how to do this. If you would be kind enough to tell me? i dont have ubuntu/linux only windows and android and i would like to use my 128gb usb 3.0 stick to boot android. Thank you very much in advance fleflis or anyone who can help.
Remix OS is mounting and writing to every partition on my computer. Is there a way I can stop this? I only wanted it to access two of the six partitions.
Drive 1 part 1: Ext 4 Linux root.
part 2: Ext 4 Linux home.
part 3: Ext 4 Large file storage.
Drive 2 part 1: NTFS Win 7
part 2: Fat 32 Remix (50 gig)
Part 3 Linux backup
I installed remix with only drive 2 connected. After connecting drive 1 and rebooting. Remix mounts and writes to every partition.
Thanks for any assistance.
I experienced this. I solved it by encrypting the drives of the other OS's. Not a direct solution, but it may help you.
All the best,
Dan
Thanks for your response. I thought of that, but it seems a bit of a pain to get around what should be a simple problem. If I do come up with a simple solution I will post it here.
If you use lvm for linux install. It won't mount.
Thank you for your response. I've never used LVM, but after reading about it it sounds like a great idea. Especially because I multi-boot 3 or more operating systems. I enjoy trying different flavors of Linux and other operating systems like remix OS.
We give a certain amount of trust to software Developers. When an operating system mounts and writes to every drive, to me it puts a big question mark in the trust category. That's why I got on top of this. I'm not suggesting that developers of remix OS are doing anything they should not , but the potential for abuse is there.
I think remix OS is an excellent project and I wish that developers much success. They need to give you a method of unmounting permanently drives on your system that you don't want it to access. Remix also needs to break its dependency on Windows. Right now it is part operating system and part windows program.
cssr said:
Remix OS is mounting and writing to every partition on my computer. Is there a way I can stop this? I only wanted it to access two of the six partitions.
Drive 1 part 1: Ext 4 Linux root.
part 2: Ext 4 Linux home.
part 3: Ext 4 Large file storage.
Drive 2 part 1: NTFS Win 7
part 2: Fat 32 Remix (50 gig)
Part 3 Linux backup
I installed remix with only drive 2 connected. After connecting drive 1 and rebooting. Remix mounts and writes to every partition.
Thanks for any assistance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi if you have system R/W enabled you can simply go to root command line and type pm disable com.jide.filemanager
This has stopped the unwanted access for me. I use Solid Explorer instead.
Hope this helps
Well I feel like an idiot. I have not used fat32 in about 15 years ( running Win98 then ) I forgot about the 4g limit, so reformatted remix partition to NTFS and reinstalled. Also as sharktm pointed out there is a simple way to fix this problem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/remix/remix-os/completely-hide-partitions-remix-os-t3482161
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?
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.