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I had been dual-booting with Ubuntu and windows 8.1 for a while now without issue. However, when attempting my free upgrade to windows 10, it killed both. I am not entirely sure why, but it looks like it wiped a partition. I now do not have a useable computer. My boss provided me with a way to clean install windows 10 from a cd, but the process refuses to make a new partition for it, stating that I need GBT format and I am in MBR. Hence I am trying to determine how to format my hard drive to GBT now (I really dont even know what any of this means). My boss suggested running the Ubuntu installer to re-format without actually installing Ubuntu. This is where I get stuck. I have the installer successfully booted, but dont know how to carry out this actual task (it seems that it will do a full ubuntu install).

Ultimately this is what I am trying to accomplish: -I want to start fresh on my system, get it back to factory settings. It came with windows 8.1 pre-installed. Since I dont have an OS, I cant just run a system restore it seems. What can I do? -I want to be able to upgrade my windows 8.1 to windows 10 BEFORE installing Ubuntu (since it is believed that upgrading to windows 10 with Ubuntu already on the system is what causes the problem). -I would like to be able to use both windows 10 and Ubuntu on my machine, I use each for respective occupation purposes.

Please let me know if you have any ideas or experience with this issue. I am not great with advanced computer stuff. I have been running around in circles with this and its all trial and error for me. Fortunately my data is backed up so I am not worried about annihilating my hard drive in the restoration process.

A couple of other things to note: -My neighbor has a windows 7 disk. I would not install it (would not work anyway) but if I were to boot from it, could I theoretically complete a system restore from there? Again, my machine came with windows 8.1, not 7. -Because 8.1 came pre-installed on my machine I dont have a license key. Its electronically embedded in my BIOS and the manufactorer doesnt know it. I have no boot disk for it.

Eric Leonhard
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4 Answers4

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  1. Reinstall Windows 8.1 from scratch. Use a valid legit key (if possible, or the Windows 10 upgrade will fail most likely).
  2. Upgrade to Windows 10 from the Windows 8.1 (Windows Update).
  3. Apply all the patches to Windows 10.
  4. Insert the Ubuntu disk into your machine, boot from it, and the Ubuntu disk partition some free space from the Windows 10. This is where your Ubuntu will then be installed.

I would suggest going through all the Windows "motions" first then adding the Ubuntu afterwards.

If you continue having problems with Ubuntu partitioning your hard drive, during the Windows 8.1 installation, use the Advanced option to create a separate partition you will later install Ubuntu on (this is call unallocated space).

Also, if it ask during the Ubuntu installation, replace the Windows Boot Loader with Ubuntu's one, and make Ubuntu your main OS.

Let me know if this works out for you.

RedHatcc
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Ok, here's what to do, even though this is technically not Ubuntu topic. Go to http://gparted.org/ and download their live iso. After that, boot into it and use Gparted like you normally would, then wipe the table clean. After that, go online and find a Windows 8.1 iso to burn onto a usb/cd so you can reinstall that, then upgrade to Windows 10, and after that install Ubuntu. Hope this helps.

AwlsomeAlex
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You can download and use "hirens boot dvd" to get the partions back the way you want, I assume you already have created backup media to restore windows 8.1, if not then you must be having a valid license key for 8.1 or most likely the upgrade will fail/ give warning that you were a victim of piracy and need to activate the licence in 3 days. I would suggest using the microsoft media creation tool to download a fresh copy from Microsoft Website and install the Windows 10. After that you can install Ubuntu. If you do not have the media backed up then you can contact microsoft/vendor for the media, alternatively look for unaltered media from any other source.

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To retrieve your 8.1 license key install windows 8.1 from any copy that is "untouched" you can use any license key you have at your disposal, then go to "rweverything.com" download the 64/32 bit "read/write portable utility" and run it, click on "ACPI" button and then in the "ACPI Table" pop up click on the "MSDM tab", at the bottom you should see the Product key in the "Data" entry, write this down, now right-click Computer, and then click Properties. Scroll down to the bottom of the window that appears, and then, under Windows activation, click Change product key. If you're prompted for permission to continue the process, click Continue. Once this is done you can continue with your upgrade to windows 10 through windows update and finally install Ubuntu.

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