Rollback RX vs GRUB

[jefboyardee]

Also posted here...

Just installed Ubuntu 12.04 as a dual-boot on a new partition. That puts GRUB as the first thing to load. That knocks Windows' Rollback RX, which also wants to be first in line, out of commission. I've searched for solutions, but the closest one I can see is by moving GRUB somewhere else. That's apparently over my head so I wonder if anyone here can hold my hand.

Then... I just chatted with Rollback and they said fuggedabouit. So never mind, unless you know something they don't.

`````````

I guess I have to either ditch my beloved Rollback or remove my Ubuntu efforts and run fixmbr. Just trying it in case Redmond falls into Lake Washington and everyone switches to something Linux.

 

[Rukbat]

I never used Rollback, but can you set one of the settings in GRUB to run Rollback? We used to do that with Windows' native boot and a few other boot utilities.

 

[jefboyardee]

Well. I can't answer that except to repeat what the Rollback guy said, that they have no involvement with dial-boot computers and offer no support for them. So I gave up, deleted the Ubuntu partitions, expanded the c drive, fixed the MBR, un- and re-installed Rollback... like nothing ever happened. But it's nice to know all that can be done. Weird how attached I've gotten to a time machine.

 

[jefboyardee]

I think it's pretty simple. Some Linux flavor has to take control and make the others pointless. If and when, it appears that Ubuntu will win that round. Then it has to actually attract third-party program developers. Ubuntu 13.10 on 8gb USB Stick is an excellent example of corporate propulsion.

First one, then ten, then all of them. It probably won't be until then that curious tinkerers and mildly future-centric users will walk away from Windows and Apple. I understand and appreciate the Linux 'get what you want from who you want as long as you know what you want' philosophy, but it makes migration for mildly-clever users quite a nightmare.

I'm just saying this to explain to myself why I just got Ubuntu working fine, then got rid of it right away... it ain't ready yet.

 

[saptech]

What I found the best way to use Linux is dump Windows...usually less headaches! Windows is the one that doesn't play nice.

That is how I decided Linux will be my main OS when once I wanted to dual boot Windows 98 with Mandrake, aka Mandriva, aka Mageia and it wiped 98 off the planet.

It was not what I wanted, but decided to go ahead and use Mandrake and ended up liking it and didn't put Windows on againm until later that year or the next.

 

[iowabowtech]

Another possibility is an external HDD. That would allow you to keep your Windows + Rollback Rx configuration and boot Linux at a time of your choosing.

 

[jefboyardee]

What I found the best way to use Linux is dump Windows...usually less headaches!

I think that'll happen for me someday; Ubuntu is very impressive. But I am so steeped in Windows gizmos that I still feel naked on the Linux side.

 

[saptech]

At least you're honest about it. I've mention it before, Ubuntu may not be the best one to use either.

 

[jefboyardee]

Another possibility is an external HDD.

That Ubuntu 13.10 on 8gb USB Stick I mentioned is kinda like that. But it seems that my '05 monster won't boot from USB, even if I tell it to.

 

[jefboyardee]

That Ubuntu 13.10 on 8gb USB Stick I mentioned is kinda like that.

So I just dropped ten bucks on a Ubuntu Kubuntu Xubuntu Linux Latest Live Install USB Flash Drive 4GB Persistent... we shall see.

 

[iowabowtech]

But it seems that my '05 monster won't boot from USB, even if I tell it to.

Well, you will need to overcome that hurdle. How is that option listed in your boot order settings? (USB-HDD, etc)

Also, it sounds as though you've tried to boot from USB already, was that to attempt a Linux install? If so, what process did you use to place the iso onto the memory stick?

 

[jefboyardee]

it sounds as though you've tried to boot from USB already

I had with a USB iso I cobbled myself. I hit Esc on boot, brought up the boot first option, chose that USB and was ignored as the PC went on its merry way to Win7. It, of course, does look at CD/DVD first.

Anyway, that USB OS on the way will be a better test.

 

[jefboyardee]

Let's say that stick lets me choose what boots, like it should. Could I then install one of those distros on my B: drive, which is a 80GB spinoff of C:? And will that grub stay on the stick, so if I remove it, the PC just boots into Win7 as usual?

 

[lunatic59]

The stick doesn't choose which storage device to boot from, the BIOS does. At boot you should see two options, one to go to setup (usually esc or F2) and one to choose the boot device (F10 or F12). If you go into setup you can permanently change the boot order so it looks at Hard disk, optical media or USB ... some have a network option as well. If you do that, it will boot to the first bootable device it finds.

If you have multiple USB devices, it will only be able to boot the first one, same with hard disks. If you go the F12 option (or whatever it is) you may be able to select specific USB devices but you won't be able to select different hard disks. Only the primary will be bootable.

 

[iowabowtech]

Yeah the reason I asked about your USB stick and method of iso installation onto it is because sometimes the installation goes astray and so its not recognized as a bootable drive. Many first timers try to drag and drop the iso onto the stick and that doesn't work. It needs to be done using software designed to write the iso onto the stick in a way that makes it bootable. But even if you did the latter, an error during the write procedure could be to blame.

So I'm guessing the issue is not your PC. Its more likely the stick and more specifically, the contents on it that are causing the lack of boot from USB.

 

[lunatic59]

It could be the stick itself. I have some HP 2GB USB flash drives that are fine for storage but lock up any PC when you try to make them bootable. It's something I've never been able to quite figure out.

Here's what happens on my laptop when i put two USB sticks in it at the same time and manually choose the boot device.

As you can see, both sticks are listed but only one HD.

 

[jefboyardee]

We shall see. Meanwhile, the seller promises this, which doesn't really answer the previous:

This item is for a live and install Linux flash drive. It will allow you to both boot straight off the flash drive into the desktop without touching your hard drive or interfering with your current operating system, or you can use the disc to install Linux on your hard drive! It can even save files and keep settings between boots by saving data to the flash drive!

 

[Joelgp83]

No offence, but I can tell you that that disc is nothing special compared to whatever you can make on your own. The boot sector of that usb, with grub on it, will be bit-for-bit identical to the one you made that failed to boot.

If your computer is truly not capable or not set up correctly to boot from usb in the first place, you will get the same failure and also be out 10 bucks.

 

[mikedt]

Is Rollback some proprietary thing that only supports Windows? Their website seems to be down at the moment and giving some "You're IP address is banned." error.

 

[davoid]

Is Rollback some proprietary thing that only supports Windows? Their website seems to be down at the moment and giving some "You're IP address is banned." error.

Mike, what url are you trying?

I tried Free coupons for over a million stores - Rollback and I got a message saying they (whoever "they" are) have been acquired by Wallmart.

Maybe your error is a Chinese censorship thing.

 

[mikedt]

Mike, what url are you trying?

I tried Free coupons for over a million stores - Rollback and I got a message saying they (whoever "they" are) have been acquired by Wallmart.

Maybe your error is a Chinese censorship thing.

That "Walmart" one is OK.

It was this site that came up when I Googled "Rollback RX".
http://www.rollbacksoftware.com/

Now it's saying "You have an error in your SQL syntax."

Looks like they're having problems with their site rather than Chinese censoring.

 

[davoid]

It was this site that came up when I Googled "Rollback RX".
http://www.rollbacksoftware.com/

Now it's saying "You have an error in your SQL syntax."

Looks like they're having problems with their site rather than Chinese censoring.

Yeah I'm getting that error message also.

 

[jefboyardee]

Is Rollback some proprietary thing that only supports Windows?

It is very Windows-only, but it is a commercial product. And I have to confess again, it's apparently more important to me than any other software.

 

[mikedt]

It is very Windows-only, but it is a commercial product. And I have to confess again, it's apparently more important to me than any other software.

If it's important to you, there's a few things I learned about it this evening.

1) Their website seems to be broken.

2) They've apparently been acquired by Walmart. ....which has the message "We had an amazing ride and can't thank you enough. The Rollback Team" ...I dunno, you could take that as a farewell and goodbye.

Thing is if you've paid for proprietary software that becomes discontinued, no support, unavailable, etc, could have a problem. Myself, I use open source as much as possible these days, I don't use Windows for a start, mainly because of location.
So...good luck! :thumbup:

 

[lunatic59]

The rollbacksoftware site does indeed seem to be "broken". However the company, Horizon Datasys, has a press release on their Facebook page today about the latest release of a product called Reboot Restore RX. Sounds like it, no? I didn't see anything about Walmart, either.