Windows Vista Not Able to Login to Vista Partition After PCLinuxOS Install

[ITGuy]

Here's my situation:

I have a Gateway T-6836 running Windows Vista Home Premium. A couple days ago I installed PCLinuxOS on the primary drive, partitioning about 60 GB of the drive for the Linux file system, the rest reserved for Windows (250 GB total HDD capacity).

After successfully installing Linux, I rebooted and logged into PCLinux via the GRUB boot loader, everything worked fine. I restarted the computer again and selected Windows from GRUB to boot into Vista, here is where the problem starts: Windows appears to be loading, I see the HDD activity light and the Progress indicator graphic on screen, Windows then begins the transition from the progress bar as if it is going to take you to the login screen but instead of the login screen, it goes to a blank (black) screen with only the cursor visible and nothing else and no HDD activity.

I had created two sets of recovery discs from the Gateway recovery center application, one- a set of four CD'S and another a single DVD. I have checked and rechecked that the recovery image exists, but the computer refuses to recognize the discs as bootable (yes, the CD/DVD drive is set to search for bootable media before the hard disk) and loads the GRUB interface. I have tried several methods of recovery, even by attempting to boot into the recovery partition, which was untouched by my linux install. I can still access Linux just fine and I see the windows partition in the manager.

The tricky thing about all of this is, the laptop did not come with a Vista disc to allow me to get into the recovery console and attempt to repair the MBR. But my hunch is that this is not an MBR issue since I can actually begin loading Vista and then it just haults. I do believe a disc came with my laptop, but from what I recall, it was just an application reinstall disc. I'll have to check when I am back home. Any thoughts with this little problem?

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are encountering a boot issue with Windows Vista after installing PCLinuxOS alongside it on your Gateway T-6836 laptop. The symptom of Windows loading but only displaying a black screen with a cursor could be indicative of multiple potential issues. Here are some steps and considerations to address this problem:

Steps to Troubleshoot and Resolve the Issue:​

1. Check Boot Order in BIOS:​

• Ensure that the boot order in the BIOS is correctly set to prioritize the Windows boot loader.

  2. Repair Windows Vista Boot Loader:​

• You can try repairing the Windows Vista bootloader using the installation DVD for Vista. If you don't have the original Vista installation disc, you might need to find a way to obtain one.

  3. Using the Gateway Recovery Discs:​

• If the recovery discs you created are not booting, there might be an issue with the disc itself. Ensure that the discs are clean and in good condition.

4. Boot into Safe Mode:​

• Try to boot Windows Vista into Safe Mode. If successful, you might be able to troubleshoot further from there.

5. Review GRUB Configuration:​

• Check the GRUB configuration to ensure that the Windows Vista entry is correctly configured. Sometimes, incorrect configurations can lead to boot issues.

  6. Reinstall GRUB:​

• As a precaution, you can try reinstalling GRUB to ensure it's properly configured to boot both operating systems.

  7. Use Windows Vista Recovery Console:​

• If you can access the Recovery Console, you might be able to run commands like bootrec /fixmbr or bootrec /fixboot to repair the boot process.

  8. Verify Data Integrity:​

• Make sure that the partitioning done during the PCLinuxOS installation didn't affect the Windows Vista files.

  Additional Considerations:​

  • Create a Windows Vista Recovery Disk:
  • If the recovery discs are not working, creating a Windows Vista recovery disk on a USB drive can be an alternative option.
  • Data Backup:
  • Before attempting any major fixes, ensure your important data is backed up to prevent data loss. It's essential to proceed with caution when making changes to boot configurations and system settings. If you encounter any difficulties or need further assistance, feel free to provide additional details or ask for more specific guidance.