System in low graphics, deleted linux, grub rescue, can't access windows

Posted by First timer on Ask Ubuntu See other posts from Ask Ubuntu or by First timer
Published on 2012-12-19T09:25:22Z Indexed on 2012/12/19 11:13 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 234

So I'm pretty new to Ubuntu but I managed to install it with no big problems on both my desktop and netbook. When I installed it on my brother's netbook everything went horribly wrong and now I fear the system is close to beyond repair.

The problem was first that it said it did not have any space left (seemed ridiculous since it had a lot). Then Ubuntu began booting into a "System is running in low graphics mode error" which I then tried to fix, using all the tips I could find in here but nothing helped. I think the graphics error and lack of space might have been related but I can't be sure.

Finally I gave up repairing Ubuntu and went for a reinstall. Shouldn't have done that! I read that I should simply open Ubuntu through a live usb and choose GParted to delete the Linux partitions so I did and rebooted accordingly. Next, I was to install Ubuntu but now I am only given the option to wipe the whole disk for Ubuntu, not install along with windows 7.

If I access GParted I can still see the ntfs partitions that hold windows 7 (there are 2: one labeled RECOVERY and another labeled OS and boot) so why can't I access them? Btw. the OS and boot has a little red mark with a warning that 1 cluster is referenced to multiple times, don't know what that means. If I boot without the live usb I am sent directly into a grub rescue "black screen of the computer will follow no orders". Please, I know that the easiest might be to simply wipe the whole thing clean but there are important files and programs on windows 7.

Is there a way to just access windows? It is a dell inspiron 1018 mini netbook, so I have no cd input and no windows 7 installation cd.

© Ask Ubuntu or respective owner

Related posts about windows-7

Related posts about grubrescue