can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

win82 · 2025-02-22 16:36

I was able to create a USB bootable for Live Plasma. After reviewing the os I decided to install it. However, when I got to the disk partitioning manager I ran into serious trouble. I could not find any help file or manual for this Q4OS program. It keeps bringing up menus that have no explanation for what was needed. The experience was so frustrating that I closed the Partition Manager and I exited from the Live program. Next trouble: I could not boot back into my Windows program! Error message: "no boot device found." Then it says "Press any key to reboot the machine." Won't happen! Part of the trouble may be that I chose the third option in the partitioning program, manually partition. The first one seems to imply that part of my drive will be formatted but it doesn't say which part! If I choose the first option can I avoid losing my Windows installation? And will the first option avoid the manual partitioning headaches?

VegaLinuxQ4 · 2025-02-22 18:37

win82 wrote:

I was able to create a USB bootable for Live Plasma. After reviewing the os I decided to install it. However, when I got to the disk partitioning manager I ran into serious trouble. I could not find any help file or manual for this Q4OS program. It keeps bringing up menus that have no explanation for what was needed. The experience was so frustrating that I closed the Partition Manager and I exited from the Live program. Next trouble: I could not boot back into my Windows program! Error message: "no boot device found." Then it says "Press any key to reboot the machine." Won't happen! Part of the trouble may be that I chose the third option in the partitioning program, manually partition. The first one seems to imply that part of my drive will be formatted but it doesn't say which part! If I choose the first option can I avoid losing my Windows installation? And will the first option avoid the manual partitioning headaches?

Help file or manual etc is clearly shown at the first screen (wellcome screen), just read the doc.
Menu no explanation is unclear, you have succesfull install before at your other OP, its will be just the same way, so why you got confused?
Not enough detailed info from you. Are you "accidentally" formatting your whole partition during settup install?
As I've mentioned before in your other OP, make new separate partition, keep away from windows partition, Your windows should at C:, then just make new unallocated space at e.g D: and choose that space for installation partition, its safest & cleanest way imo.
Now your windows (or bootloader?) has gone? Try using windows boot recovery to get it back.
Go to Bios, choose windows recovery as boot, choose advance, repair and so... its basic that you should know, If you do it right your windows should come back.

Last edited by VegaLinuxQ4 (2025-02-22 18:40)

win82 · 2025-02-24 01:09

I have successfully installed Trinity Q4OS on my wife’s older 32 bit machine, and a double boot installation of Plasma Q4OS on my two 64bit desktop pcs using your winsetup installation. I then attempted to install Q4OS as a double boot on 2 different laptops for my brother-in-law and ran into considerable installation failures (apparently due to some kind of error in your windows install program and laptops). I need to successfully install Q4OS on a laptop for him so I next tried to install Q4OS Plasma on my personal laptop from a Live installation program as a double boot with Win 10 hoping that it would be a trouble free installation. Not so. Two problems: when I started to install Plasma I ran into the partitioning part of the program that presented 3 options: Replace a partition; Erase a Disk; Manual Partitioning. I certainly would not use the second one, and nothing in the documentation prepared the user on how to deal with this disk partitioning program for the other options. I need serious help with that part of the program. At that point I decided to exit the live install until I could get better support on partitioning. That created the second problem with this installation: my laptop will no longer boot back into Windows! I have tried to repair the mbr within the bios. That does not restore the boot record. I have changed the boot order. That does not work. I am an 83 year old man and need some serious help.

Last edited by win82 (2025-02-26 14:45)

hchiper · 2025-02-24 09:19

win82 wrote:

I was able to create a USB bootable for Live Plasma. (...) Next trouble: I could not boot back into my Windows program!

From the download page, the recommended way to put Q4OS alongside Windows is to use the Windows installer, not a Live image media, nor a setup image media.
If you modified the partitions from Q4OS Live or setup media, Windows may not have appreciated.

q4osteam · 2025-02-24 10:13

@win82
You can install Q4OS from the live media as dual boot with Windows, in the same manner as some other Linux distributions, However some glitches may arise.

First you should read Q4OS installation instructions https://www.q4os.org/dqa018.html#qinst . A notification is present there:
Prior to making any major change to your computer you should always backup all of your work. While the Q4OS installer has been extensively tested, it cannot prevent you from making mistakes nor prevent a power failure while you are installing your new operating system.

win82 wrote:

If I choose the first option can I avoid losing my Windows installation?

The first partitioning option in Calamares installer is "Replace partition". So if you choose the Windows partition, you will loose it, it will be replaced.

win82 wrote:

... will the first option avoid the manual partitioning headaches?

Yes, the automatic partitioning options are easy to use, so you don't need to perform manual partitioning.

Q4OS live uses Calamares installer, it is quite intuitive as is. The complete documentation you can find here https://calamares.io/docs/users-guide/

Last edited by q4osteam (2025-02-24 11:00)

win82 · 2025-02-24 20:06

Where are the "automatic partitioning options" located? Which of the three options in the Calamares installer includes that option? I tried the first option but it would not allow me to shrink the WIN 10 section sda3. The third option seems severely complicated. There is no way of determining how to answer all the pop up windows.

VegaLinuxQ4 · 2025-02-25 05:22

I don't think there's such an "automatic partition" thing has ever exist, system won't knowing what each user's preferrence with their settup, all need to choose & sett by a user personally, not automatically, or if "automatically" does exist then its mean it'll reffer to what system's want, not user's specifically want.
I (and perhap other members) just a member like you, just tryin' to help u, but everyone will never know how except need to know detail to achieve solve, that's absolutely not about being arrogance nor disrespect.
I have told u before about manual unallocation partition etc that's safest & cleanest way.
"Easy/Non Headache" thing is about personally perspective, just need to cooling down and be patiently during settup Installation step by step to be clear.
Every option you choose may result difference, e.g you choose option 1st (;The first partitioning option in Calamares installer is "Replace partition". So if you choose the Windows partition, you will loose it, it will be replaced.) and I think this you want to avoid right? so don't choose, and I repeate it wont do "Automatic partition" but it may loose your windows partition if you're not clearly know what next to do.
I've suggest u to prepare separate partition and make unallocation space then choose manual (3rd option) instead as before if you want your windows partition to be safe and clear.
1st option may easier (for u), 3rd will be cleanest & safest, u choose

you need to read this https://calamares.io/docs/partitions/
and you need to read the "Manual partitioning's" guide, it's pretty clear imo.

Last edited by VegaLinuxQ4 (2025-02-25 06:06)

q4osteam · 2025-02-25 10:52

win82 wrote:

Where are the "automatic partitioning options" located?

Automatic are all except the "Manual" option. See the "Options" paragraph from the Calamares documentation https://calamares.io/docs/partitions/#options

win82 wrote:

Which of the three options in the Calamares installer includes that option?

You need to select "Install alongside"

win82 · 2025-02-25 12:58

I don't have an "Install Alongside" option! That would have made a big difference for my installation! I don't know why it was not included in my Live distribution. Maybe I need to get the regular installer, not the live one?

win82 · 2025-02-25 13:01

Attached is a photo of my given choices on the live installation distribution.

Attachments:

partition screen.jpg, Size: 261.68 KiB, Downloads: 50

q4osteam · 2025-02-25 15:09

Yes, your screenshot shows the sda3 is Bitlocker partition. It cannot be shrunk nor resized anyhow. You have no resize-able partition available, so the Calamares installer doesn't show such an option.

The way would be to free some disk space from within Windows and install Q4OS on that space. An option would be to remove Bitlocker from your partition.

VegaLinuxQ4 · 2025-02-25 16:17

win82 wrote:

I don't have an "Install Alongside" option! That would have made a big difference for my installation! I don't know why it was not included in my Live distribution. Maybe I need to get the regular installer, not the live one?

Nothing difference in Live distr.! I think your ISO just fine! But the encrypted partition (Bitlocker) in your drive that's the problem! What u need to do is exactly as I've told u before, preparing to make separate partition, in your case your drive encrypted with Bitlocker that u must turning encryption off first, then preparing your separate partition there for cleaner & safest way (this for 3rd/last manual option) and there u can make the partition exactly as how your want it.
But if you still want the "easiest way/1st option" to let the calamares make and choose "automatically" for you by program's default, just turning off the encryption, then choose "install alongside windows", the result will reffer to calamares's default partition, which may not exactly as how u want/need specifically.
1st do 1st, step by step, it won't go further if the 1st (Bitlocker partition) still not been turn off/remove yet.

Last edited by VegaLinuxQ4 (2025-02-25 16:22)

win82 · 2025-02-26 13:09

Thanks for this input about Bitlocker! This explains why I have had so much trouble with laptop installations! All the laptops I have been trying to install Q4OS on have been refurbished pcs. I did not realize their drives were Bitlockered. I didn't even know what Bitlocker was!!!

VegaLinuxQ4 · 2025-02-26 16:14

win82 wrote:

Thanks for this input about Bitlocker! This explains why I have had so much trouble with laptop installations! All the laptops I have been trying to install Q4OS on have been refurbished pcs. I did not realize their drives were Bitlockered. I didn't even know what Bitlocker was!!!

Its a kind of Microsoft encryption. Basically user/owner/you should first identify how/what your 'new' laptop is before you want to work/modify with it, so you won't get headache before-after! Now hope your Q4OS Installation won't get trouble anymore!
Btw, you're lucky enough got refurbished laptops that don't have any rejections in hw!

Last edited by VegaLinuxQ4 (2025-02-26 16:20)

win82 · 2025-02-26 17:47

The only way I can install Q4OS now is to sacrifice my Windows, but it was WIN 10 anyway. And I always back up anything I am working on, so I have all my important files. Thanks for all your help.

crosscourt · 2025-02-26 17:52

You can turn off bitlocker by going to control panel/system security/bitlocker drive encryption/select the drive you want to disable drive encryption/then click turn off bitlocker. It will begin to decrypt itself and it will take a while. If you can get into your install.

Last edited by crosscourt (2025-02-27 19:29)

VegaLinuxQ4 · 2025-02-26 18:02

win82 wrote:

The only way I can install Q4OS now is to sacrifice my Windows, but it was WIN 10 anyway. And I always back up anything I am working on, so I have all my important files. Thanks for all your help.

Actually you don't have to, the fact is able to have multiple boots for multiple OS and shouldn't sacrifiice to none OS. Me have multi OS in 1 Laptop which all are ready to use everytime I want (included win10).
Finally nice to know that u now at least are able to make your Q4OS Installation. nothing wasted in past! all you've thru was a high value experienced! that's what i'd call as 'learning progress'! dont get me wrong, me either also in progress!

Last edited by VegaLinuxQ4 (2025-02-26 18:10)

win82 · 2025-02-27 00:18

I can't get into Window's Control Panel because I can no longer boot into Windows.

crosscourt · 2025-02-27 00:42

That certainly makes things easy, good luck with the reinstall.

Make sure bitlocker is disabled this time around.

Last edited by crosscourt (2025-02-27 01:01)

hchiper · 2025-02-27 09:08

win82 wrote:

The experience was so frustrating that I closed the Partition Manager and I exited from the Live program.

This is a quote of your original post. What "Partition Manager" are you speaking of?

If it is the one included in Calamares installer, then nothing is written to the disk until you reach the Summary screen and accept to install.
If you used "Partition Manager" as a separate application while running a Live session, made some modifications and applied them (sometimes a "V" button in the toolbar), then you have written the modifications to your disk.

I seem to remember that computers sold with preinstalled MS Windows had / have a (hidden) partition with the tools necessary to repair / reinstall Windows (in the past one got CD-ROMs), but when I look at the picture you posted, I see that it is not present. Maybe I am wrong, or maybe it could be somewhere else (other disk?)

It could also be a workaround to create a bootable media from an .iso image of MS Windows, boot it and see if you are enabled to repair your installation. Before going on, be certain you have the key needed to (re)activate Windows after repair / installation!

You could also join a forum dedicated to MS Windows to get help from MS Windows users. This is the better advice I can give.

q4osteam · 2025-02-27 09:26

Thanks @hchiper for this comment. We would also assume the Windows installation should be repairable as the screenshot posted by @win82 shows still existing Bitlocker partition. So it's not rewritten indeed.
https://www.q4os.org/forum/attachment.php?item=980

@win82
We would recommend you to follow @hchiper advice if you want to get your Windows 10 back.

crosscourt · 2025-02-27 19:11

Certainly you can use a USB boot media, or if you have the Win10 install media you can get into recovery mode as well. Assuming you have the Bitlocker code it should be possible. Otherwise youll need to reinstall and to be honest depending on what has happened, it might be better to do a fresh install of Win10 if you have your files backed up, which I think you mentioned above.

Another method is to turn on the system wait for the Windows logo/spinning wheel and shut down the system by the power button,then start it up again and the minute you see the logo and spinning wheel shut it down again with the power button, then do the same thing one more time. After three times, let the system start up normally and it should go into recovery mode and youll have access to system recovery.
Obviously if absolutely nothing is coming up this wont work.

Im a bit unclear as to the methods used to try and recovery the system based on the post. Reinstall still looks like the best option.

Last edited by crosscourt (2025-02-27 19:32)

VegaLinuxQ4 · 2025-02-27 19:21

win82 wrote:

.... I have tried to repair the mbr within the bios. That does not restore the boot record. I have changed the boot order. That does not work..

OP has reported that windows recovery mode didn't work.

@win82
Since your laptop is refurbished, I'm not sure there is genuine win10 or cracked installed, u can check it.
Your win10 should still there, but its seem your win bootloader didn't work properly, it should be repair-able, but its seem not easy for you to work with it?
If you don't have any win10 image (Disk/ISO), u can easily download it from here : https://archive.org/search?query=windows+10

Choose win10 version that suit your.
I suggest u make Install win10 FIRST, then Q4OS 2nd, not vice versa.

* After win10 done, I still highly recommend u to prepare by making separate Drive Partition for the 2nd OS, so u'll easier notice before make another (2nd) OS Installation in partition.

Last edited by VegaLinuxQ4 (2025-02-27 19:36)

Q4OS Forum

#1 2025-02-22 16:36

can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#2 2025-02-22 18:37

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#3 2025-02-24 01:09

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#4 2025-02-24 09:19

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#5 2025-02-24 10:13

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#6 2025-02-24 20:06

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#7 2025-02-25 05:22

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#8 2025-02-25 10:52

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#9 2025-02-25 12:58

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#10 2025-02-25 13:01

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#11 2025-02-25 15:09

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#12 2025-02-25 16:17

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#13 2025-02-26 13:09

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#14 2025-02-26 16:14

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#15 2025-02-26 17:47

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#16 2025-02-26 17:52

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#17 2025-02-26 18:02

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#18 2025-02-27 00:18

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#19 2025-02-27 00:42

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#20 2025-02-27 09:08

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#21 2025-02-27 09:26

Re: can't reboot into Win 10 after leaving Live USB

#22 2025-02-27 19:11

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#23 2025-02-27 19:21

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