Cannot boot into Windows from Linux

[ms_meme]

Booted successfully to Windows after rebooting from the liveCD.

[AS]

Booted successfully to Windows after rebooting from the liveCD.

Good to know that.

I did the recent update last weekend.  I mention that because the problem seemed to occur after that update.

I would like to suggest to evaluate what package has been upgraded (looking in Synaptic -> File -> History), searching for some hardware related package that has recently changed,
but I think we are really going nowhere, because it would require a parallel evaluation of the hardware and even if we find the related package I'm not sure we can find a solution.
 

May be a try and test approach can work better here.

ms_meme, how about to try and test a kernel upgrade ?

AS

[ms_meme]

Booted successfully to Windows after rebooting from the liveCD.

Good to know that.

May be a try and test approach can work better here.
ms_meme, how about to try and test a kernel upgrade ?

AS

Oh...I thought it was solved......

As long as I don't lose my stuff...........   I will try.

[AS]

[As long as I don't lose my stuff...........   I will try.

Nice. Then open Synaptic and search for: kernel-2.6.33.7-pclos6.bfs mark the checkbox, and install it.
After installation is completed, close all application and reboot.
At boot screen (grub) you will find the newly installed kernel as the last entry of the menu, choose that.

The first boot will be a little slow because some driver will be rebuilt and installed.

Then perform some test (i.e. try reboot and go into Windows), let us know the result.
If it will work OK we will explain how to make this new kernel the default one.

AS

[Was_Just19]

[As long as I don't lose my stuff...........   I will try.

Nice. Then open Synaptic and search for: kernel-2.6.33.7-pclos6.bfs mark the checkbox, and install it.
After installation is completed, close all application and reboot.
At boot screen (grub) you will find the newly installed kernel as the last entry of the menu, choose that.

The first boot will be a little slow because some driver will be rebuilt and installed.

Then perform some test (i.e. try reboot and go into Windows), let us know the result.
If it will work OK we will explain how to make this new kernel the default one.

AS

Would it not be better to install the newer kernel? ......  2.6.37 ....  whatever

[AS]

Would it not be better to install the newer kernel? ......  2.6.37 ....  whatever

I feel 2.6.33.7 as stable and tested, I'm currently using 2.6.37 but feel that as a little less tested ... so I chose 2.6.33.7...

[ms_meme]

The install went fine.
But upon reboot to Windows there was no change.

[AS]

The install went fine.
But upon reboot to Windows there was no change.

Nice, we are nowhere.     

Possible next step:
A) install and test a newer kernel 2.6.37.2-pclos1.bfs
B) report back the list of upgraded packages (and later some more info about your hardware)
C) try to play with some BIOS settings
D) delete Windows
E) the problem is in Windows, hands washing! 
F) ... anyone on this subject ?

What you choose ms_meme ?

AS

[ms_meme]

The install went fine.
But upon reboot to Windows there was no change.

Nice, we are nowhere.     

Possible next step:
A) install and test a newer kernel 2.6.37.2-pclos1.bfs
B) report back the list of upgraded packages (and later some more info about your hardware)
C) try to play with some BIOS settings
D) delete Windows
E) the problem is in Windows, hands washing! 
F) ... anyone on this subject ?

What you choose ms_meme ?

AS

A) It seems not likely that would work. (gut talk)  But this would be my 2nd choice.
B) This to me seems a good place to start as I don't think I could hurt anything.  I have no idea how to do it.  It  would be a matter of directing me what to look for and where to find it. lst choice
C) This is 3rd choice.
D) just19's 1st choice.
E) I'm sure this won't happen.
F) Don't be shy folks!!

So will be looking for the directions or other suggestions tomorrow or whenever.  Thanks!!

[ms_meme]

When I boot up Linux the next time.........which entry on the menu do I choose?  The last one that was just installed?
I guess that menu will all be changed when this gets figured out?

[AS]

When I boot up Linux the next time.........which entry on the menu do I choose?  The last one that was just installed?
I guess that menu will all be changed when this gets figured out?

My suggestion is to keep boot kernels in your system, but to reorganize the entry in the following way:

1) the newer installed kernel 2.6.33.7
2) the previous installed kernel 2.6.32.....
3) other PCLinuxOS entries
4) Windows

To reorganize your boot items you need to go to PCC -> Boot -> Set up boot system
at first window (bootloader, main options, security) you don't touch anything and only click on button "Next",
here you will find the list of your entries, you can safely move all your entries up and down and setup a default choice,
when you have done you can click on "Finish".

AS

[Old-Polack]

When I boot up Linux the next time.........which entry on the menu do I choose?  The last one that was just installed?
I guess that menu will all be changed when this gets figured out?

When you install a new kernel, it automatically becomes the default kernel, so all you need do is choose the same boot option you always have. It will boot to the last installed kernel.

[Bald Brick]

When I boot up Linux the next time.........which entry on the menu do I choose?  The last one that was just installed?
I guess that menu will all be changed when this gets figured out?

The symlinks are changed when you install a new kernel so that the last kernel installed is the default. You can change that of course.

But I don't think the kernel is the root of your problem. Have you updated your video drivers? Added any new hardware?

[AS]

When I boot up Linux the next time.........which entry on the menu do I choose?  The last one that was just installed?
I guess that menu will all be changed when this gets figured out?

The symlinks are changed when you install a new kernel so that the last kernel installed is the default. You can change that of course.

But I don't think the kernel is the root of your problem. Have you updated your video drivers? Added any new hardware?

In fact, the root problem is Windows at boot/initialization phase, this issue resemble choosing a roulette number! It could be even a BIOS issue...
The only really known facts are the windows gray screen upon warm reboot from PClinuxOS and that the issue appeared out after a PCLinuxOS upgrade.
It would need to be debugged at windows side ....

AS

[ms_meme]

Concerning the new kernel and booting order.

As posted by old-polack the newest installed kernel automatically becomes the default and rises to the top..so to speak.  The name won't change.  So whatever I have at the top (think it says PCLinuxOS 10) will be the new one and I will choose that.

The new one will also still be at the bottom with the new ID number.

I did notice when I first booted up the new kernel.....that there were two lines with ID numbers at the bottom.   I couldn't get the numbers but the one just above the bottom one looked like 32.12.  (Is that the old one?)
And the bottom one said 33.7.  (Just reporting)

So in that case I do not have to do anything in the PCC as suggested by AS.....at least for the time being.

No, I have not updated any video drivers nor added any new hardware.  The only thing I did was the Updates.