recovery menu shows up with every boot

**kidmanos** · March 2nd, 2013

Hi,

I have Ubuntu 12.04, everytime I turn on the machine and choose to boot linux I get the following recovery menu
2013-03-02 14.41.09.jpg

When I choose to resume, I get the following message

2013-03-02 14.41.18.jpg

Then everything becomes normal and I can log in to my user account. But there's a problem with doing updates for example, probably due to limited permissions on the file system?

I can't really figure out what's the problem ( or how to solve it ofcourse

)

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

**matt_symes** · March 2nd, 2013

Hi

You are not getting the option to boot into a non recovery kernel ?

Boot as normally and when you get the menu in your first screen shot above, scroll down and select the "drop to a root shell" option (or something similar).

When at the root shell type,

Code:

update-grub

Wait for grub to chug away and when it has finished type

Code:

reboot

Does it still take you directly to the recovery menu or allow you a normal boot ?

Kind regards

**kidmanos** · March 2nd, 2013

Originally Posted by matt_symes

Hi

You are not getting the option to boot into a non recovery kernel ?

Boot as normally and when you get the menu in your first screen shot above, scroll down and select the "drop to a root shell" option (or something similar).

When at the root shell type,

Code:

update-grub

Wait for grub to chug away and when it has finished type

Code:

reboot

Does it still take you directly to the recovery menu or allow you a normal boot ?

Kind regards

Hi matt,

I tried "drop to a root sheel" but I got this error:
/usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig: 258: /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig: cannot create /boot/grub/grub.cfg.new: Read-only file system

But it didn't work, still got the recovery menu.

So I tried logging into linux, opening a terminal, su root and it seems that the command works:
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-37-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-37-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-36-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-36-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-35-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-35-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-39-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-39-generic
Found Windows Recovery Environment (loader) on /dev/sda1
Skipping Windows Recovery Environment (loader) on Wubi system
Found Windows 7 (loader) on /dev/sda2
Skipping Windows 7 (loader) on Wubi system
done

But still, the recovery menu is displayed when booting.

**matt_symes** · March 2nd, 2013

Hi

Oh yeah. I forgot that a recovery root shell now mounts the root partition as read only.

Unfortunately su will not have made any difference.

Boot into the root shell as before and this time type

Code:

mount -o remount,rw /

Code:

update-grub

Code:

reboot

EDIT: Discard above as i have just read this bit

So I tried logging into linux, opening a terminal, su root and it seems that the command works:

Kind regards

**matt_symes** · March 2nd, 2013

HiL

Let's have a look to see exactly what is being generated by update-grub.

Press ALT + F2 and type

Code:

gedit /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Post the output of that file back here.

Kind regards

**kidmanos** · March 2nd, 2013

Originally Posted by matt_symes

HiL

Let's have a look to see exactly what is being generated by update-grub.

Press ALT + F2 and type

Code:

gedit /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Post the output of that file back here.

Kind regards

Hi matt,

thanks for following up

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="1"
if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
saved_entry="${chosen}"
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=5
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
if background_color 44,0,30; then
clear
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-37-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-37-generic root=UUID=9456C0A956C08E04 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-37-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-37-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
echo 'Loading Linux 3.2.0-37-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-37-generic root=UUID=9456C0A956C08E04 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-37-generic
}
submenu "Previous Linux versions" {
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-36-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-36-generic root=UUID=9456C0A956C08E04 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-36-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-36-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
echo 'Loading Linux 3.2.0-36-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-36-generic root=UUID=9456C0A956C08E04 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-36-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-35-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-35-generic root=UUID=9456C0A956C08E04 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-35-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-35-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
echo 'Loading Linux 3.2.0-35-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-35-generic root=UUID=9456C0A956C08E04 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-35-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-39-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-39-generic root=UUID=9456C0A956C08E04 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-39-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-39-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9456C0A956C08E04
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-39-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-39-generic root=UUID=9456C0A956C08E04 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-39-generic
}
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
if [ "x${timeout}" != "x-1" ]; then
if keystatus; then
if keystatus --shift; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=0
fi
else
if sleep --interruptible 3 ; then
set timeout=0
fi
fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

**schragge** · March 2nd, 2013

This:

Code:

set default="1"

Please, look at the output of

Code:

grep ^GRUB_DEFAULT /etc/default/grub

Grub should default to the 0th menu entry. If it doesn't then please run

Code:

sudo sed -i '/^GRUB_DEFAULT=/s/=.*/=0/'
sudo update-grub

**kidmanos** · March 2nd, 2013

Originally Posted by schragge

This:

Code:

set default="1"

Please, look at the output of

Code:

grep ^GRUB_DEFAULT /etc/default/grub

Grub should default to the 0th menu entry. If it doesn't then please run

Code:

sudo sed -i '/^GRUB_DEFAULT=/s/=.*/=0/'
sudo update-grub

Thanks schragge!

This solved the problem. Will go look up what is the difference between /etc/default/grub and /boot/grub/grub.cfg and also what would change the default choice to 1 permanently

**schragge** · March 2nd, 2013

Well, sudo update-grub runs each time there's a new kernel or grub update. It gets default values from /etc/default/grub and generates new /boot/grub/grub.cfg using them. Any changes to /etc/default/grub are usually done either manually or through Grub Customizer. Have you been using Grub Customizer lately?

**kidmanos** · March 2nd, 2013

Originally Posted by schragge

Well, sudo update-grub runs each time there's a new kernel or grub update. It gets default values from /etc/default/grub and generates new /boot/grub/grub.cfg using them. Any changes to /etc/default/grub are usually done either manually or through Grub Customizer. Have you been using Grub Customizer lately?

nope never. I think this started after I powered off the machine while it is was shutting down...not sure really