Generally, as part of the installation process, the Linux distro of your choice would handle the installation of Grub for you. Putting the bits & pieces where they need to go. Most often the installer will ask where to install Grub. Telling it to install on the 'root' partition or file system or on the first disk usually works. Thus I thought re-installing Linux Mint may be the easiest route for you to follow.Vrai: How do I get a 'pointer' into the MBR?
I am becoming quite concerned that all the partition 'management' can possibly cause problems. You need to be aware that even if everything goes well there is ALWAYS the potential for data loss. Be sure you have a back-up of any valuable data. You could end up needing to re-install Windows as well if things go 'sideways' on you. Moving around and re-sizing partitions can be risky.Should I use gparted and resize partitions to allow grub to be installed in the First 'sys' partition? That seems a fix if it doesn't mess with the data on the windows partition. Can I move the 'Mint' 253GB ext4 partition between the 1st part and Windows part? I'm guessing not without erasing windows data. If I can put grub boot into the Linux partition which is currently empty, how do I do this. Can I make a new partition just after the first 'sys' partition for the boot or the whole linux system without loosing windows?
Just to clarify and be perfectly clear: Are you able to boot into Windows now?
NO!Vrai in response to Capt and 'wagt': Are you saying the grub needs to go on the 2nd partition which is Windows?
Have you tried to install Linux Mint from the Live disk installer application? Walk us through what you are doing - step by step.did reformat Linux partition ext4 and tried to install...same results.
Exactly when are you getting this message?Still getting that 'no root files' message with a failed installation and then no access to windows.
Something here is not adding up. Did the Boot-Repair-Disk fix the boot issue? It sounds like it did.Repair disk overcomes that issue. So it looks like a grub boot install issue.
You will NOT be able to boot into Linux Mint if it is NOT installed onto the hard drive. Please walk us through your process, step by step, of trying to install Linux Mint from the USB drive.