IMPORTANT UPDATE: There is much simpler and permanent solution to this problem available already. Thanks Nanina for tip.

If you have installed Ubuntu using procedure described in “Installing Ubuntu (almost) like a Windows application” article, it’s highly probable you have already stumbled upon a problem when you were stuck just with command line instead of booting up to Ubuntu Linux. This problem occurs mostly after updating the system, when it affects also Grub. The changes to Grub are not applied directly, so it doesn’t know what to do and defaults to command line. There the most of users (like me) get stuck wondering what has happened to their Ubuntu.

Before you start crying you’ve lost all the data, customization and everything you’ve kept in this Linux distribution, try following procedure. It should help you resolving the issue and restoring Ubuntu’s functionality or at least you should be able to get into Ubuntu and save your date before its reinstallation or complete uninstallation. This major problem is connected probably just with Wubi Ubuntu as I’ve never had such problem on standard system installation. To resolve, follow these 5 steps:

STEP 1.

First you have to find out the names of partitions on your disk and determine, where you put your Wubi Ubuntu installation. So into command line “sh:grub>” type in the command “ls -l” and press [ENTER] on your keyboard.

sh:grub> ls -l

The list of disk partitions will be displayed. Partitions are named like hd(0,1), hd(0,2), hd(1,1) or similarly. I believe “hd” stands for “harddrive”, first digit determines physical harddrive number (starting from 0) and second digit stands for partition number on that specific physical drive. You need to find out the partition name where Wubi stores Ubuntu folder. Unfortunately, I can’t see into your computer and can’t offer a good advice, but if you use disk labels like me, you should be able to determine the partition pretty quickly, because labels are also being displayed in the list.

When you have the name of the partition, lets take hd(0,1), you need to convert it into Grub terminology. Grub uses “sd” (SATA drive) instead of “hd”, “a, b, c…” instead of first  “0, 1, 2…” digit and last digit remains the same and is just repeated in the name, brackets and comma are not being included. So our hd(0,1) example would become sda1. Write down this name of Wubi installation partition, you will need it in next step.

STEP 2.

Start typing in the command bellow. After typing in the “linux /boot/vmlinuz-“, press [TAB] on your keyboard to display available Linux kernel versions list. Choose the most current one (with the highest number) and type it in. (Note: if the procedure fails to run Ubuntu with current kernel version, try older one…) Continue typing the command ” root=/dev/” and input the name of Wubi installation partition you’ve got from previous step (in our case it was “sda1“). Finish the command with ” loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro” and press [ENTER].

sh:grub> linux /boot/vmlinuz-(kernel version – press [TAB]) root=/dev/(Wubi installation partition) loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro

STEP 3.

Continue with new command “initrd /boot/initrd.img-” and again use the same kernel version as in step 2. Then press [ENTER].

sh:grub> initrd /boot/initrd.img-(kernel version)

STEP 4.

If everything worked fine, after inputting the command “boot” and pressing [ENTER], the Ubuntu should start. In case that nothing is happening, try to repeat the procedure with older Linux kernel. If nothing helps even then, unfortunately I think you better try Google or reinstall Wubi Ubuntu completely…

sh:grub> boot

STEP 5.

We are not finished yet! When you get finally into Ubuntu, open the Terminal (Applications → Accessories → Terminal). In Terminal type the command “sudo update-grub” and press [ENTER] (you will also need to type in your password confirmed with [ENTER] key). Now the Grub should be updated completely and shouldn’t cause any trouble.

So, after this procedure just try to restart the computer and see on your own whether Ubuntu works how it should (at least until next major system update ;)).

Any question? Use comments…

Wubi (Windows-based Ubuntu Installer) is small program providing possibility to install and uninstall Ubuntu Linux in your Windows, like any other application. Actual installation creates a folder on your harddrive in chosen destination where Wubi puts Ubuntu system. This easy installation makes you start using Ubuntu immediately without risking any loss of information due to disk formatting or partitioning that occurs during standard installation. Your Windows system will be kept untouched.

Later, if you decide to uninstall Ubuntu for whatever reason (you plan to install it the standard way or you just don’t like it), the procedure is just as simple as removing any other application from Windows.

Many people ask if Wubi decreases the performance of Ubuntu somehow. Well, I’m using Wubi Ubuntu installation for over a year and haven’t experienced any significant slowdown in comparison to standard Ubuntu install. Wubi is simply the best way for Windows user to try Ubuntu (or its other derivate, like Kubuntu, Mythbuntu or Xubuntu).

For the procedure described below you will need to download current Wubi installer and Ubuntu ISO disk image file (or if you like, download other Ubuntu derivate from their websites).

Installation procedure

To install Ubuntu on your computer and use it besides your main Windows system follow these steps:

1. After downloading Wubi and Ubuntu ISO image, place both files into the same directory.
2. Run Wubi and choose installation drive, size of Ubuntu installation (I recommend at least 12GB), choose desktop environment (whether you’re installing Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu or Mythbuntu, depending on what ISO image file you downloaded), set the language you want Ubuntu to speak in and type your username and password (will be used to log into the system or to perform administration (root) tasks). Press [Install] button to begin installation.
3. Wubi will start copying files.
   
4. To complete installation you need to reboot your computer.
   
5. After rebooting the computer choose “Ubuntu” in Windows Boot Manager using arrow keyboard keys and press [Enter]. Actual Ubuntu installation wizard will run and you just need to relax and wait for the end of installation process. There will be no questions asked and whole installation should take around 10 or 15 minutes.
   
6. When Ubuntu finishes the installation, computer reboots automatically. Again choose “Ubuntu” in Windows Boot Manager to have a look at your brand new Ubuntu system. GRUB, Ubuntu’s boot loader, will be displayed with list of different Ubuntu Linux kernels or operating systems, so just press [Enter] or wait a few seconds. Then log into system with username and password you typed in the 2nd step of this tutorial and enjoy and play with Ubuntu!

As you can see, this is very easy procedure and takes just few minutes. To use your Windows system again simply choose it in Windows Boot Manager when computer starts or just wait until it runs automatically. If you later want to uninstall Ubuntu, just double click on Wubi in Windows and choose to remove it or use Control Panel → Programs and Features to remove Ubuntu.

That’s it, next time I’ll show you how to customize the look of Ubuntu.

(Pictures were taken from Wubi’s homepage.)