Hey everyone! I'm currently dual-booting Windows and Linux (Nobara) on two separate SSDs. I think I messed up my Linux SSD by trying to install an additional driver, and now it seems like I've completely broken something. I tried deleting the Linux installation and rebooting from a live USB to reinstall it. However, every time I start my computer, I get thrown into GRUB rescue mode, which is super frustrating! I've figured out a workaround where I can hit F8 to boot directly to my Linux SSD, but trying to boot into Windows just lands me back in GRUB rescue hell. I suspect that while reinstalling, I might have forgotten to point the bootloader to the correct SSD, but I'm not sure. Any advice on how to get my system back to working normally would be hugely appreciated!
4 Answers
I worked with someone on Discord who was in a similar situation. We realized that he overwrote the Windows Boot Manager with GRUB during a Nobara install. I helped him recover Windows using an ISO. If you end up in that boat, try using Windows' repair tools to fix the boot manager. Also, you might need to adjust UEFI boot priorities to smoothly switch between the two OSs later.
Great advice! I didn't think about using the Windows ISO for repair; I'll try that if I can't figure out GRUB.
It sounds like your system is confused about where the bootloader is. GRUB shouldn't show up at all when booting into Windows, so it sounds like it’s been accidentally installed on the wrong SSD. You might want to check the boot priority in your BIOS to make sure it's pointing to your Windows drive first. Once that's set, you can work on fixing the GRUB configuration if needed.
I think I did mistakenly install it on the wrong SSD. Thanks for the tip about checking BIOS!
No problem! If you're able, fetch the results from `sudo efibootmgr -v` when booted into Linux—it’ll show how the boot entries are set up.
Always mention the Linux distribution you’re using along with some hardware specs and any error messages. Helps to get faster assistance when you're in a bind!
If you're comfortable with GRUB, I’d recommend booting from your live USB to delete any existing GRUB instances and then reinstall it fresh. This could clear up the issues you're facing. Just make sure during the installation to select the right SSD for the bootloader!
Or, if you have it handy, you could just run `sudo update-grub` from your Linux command line. Sometimes that’s all you need!
Thanks! I'll give that a try and see if it sorts the GRUB problem.
And if GRUB allows, you can install `os-prober` to detect Windows during boot and set it up in the GRUB menu!