grub 2 issues - grub-getcharwidth - not found

**lemmy999** · February 28th, 2010

Just copied / to a new HDD. On reboot I am getting the error message "the symbol @grub_getcharwidth@ not found. PC then defaults to grub rescue.

I have d/led Meierfras grub script. result is as follows

Code:

                Boot Info Script 0.55    dated February 15th, 2010                    

============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================

 => Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in 
    partition #5 for /boot/grub.

sda1: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       Extended Partition
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  

sda5: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext3
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  Ubuntu 9.10
    Boot files/dirs:   /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda6: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       swap
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  

sda7: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       reiserfs
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  
    Boot files/dirs:   

=========================== Drive/Partition Info: =============================

Drive: sda ___________________ _____________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0007e00f

Partition  Boot         Start           End          Size  Id System

/dev/sda1    *         16,065   976,719,869   976,703,805   f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sda5              16,128    64,020,817    64,004,690  83 Linux
/dev/sda6          64,020,881    76,821,660    12,800,780  82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7          76,821,724   976,705,148   899,883,425  83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: ____________________________________________________________

Device           UUID                                   TYPE       LABEL                         

/dev/loop0                                              squashfs                                 
/dev/sda5        011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038   ext3                                     
/dev/sda6        a9d96cb5-34aa-4fa6-b0ba-4bc2f5a14b54   swap                                     
/dev/sda7        3f67587d-80b6-4a30-a992-360f31292bff   reiserfs                                 

============================ "mount | grep ^/dev  output: ===========================

Device           Mount_Point              Type       Options

aufs             /                        aufs       (rw)
/dev/sr0         /cdrom                   iso9660    (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0       /rofs                    squashfs   (ro,noatime)


=========================== sda5/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s /boot/grub/grubenv ]; then
  have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
  saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
  save_env saved_entry
  prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
fi
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
  set gfxmode=640x480
  insmod gfxterm
  insmod vbe
  if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
    # For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
    # understand terminal_output
    terminal gfxterm
  fi
fi
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  set timeout=10
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/white
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-19-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	set quiet=1
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro  vga=792 splash  quiet splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-19-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro single  vga=792 splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-17-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	set quiet=1
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-17-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro  vga=792 splash  quiet splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-17-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-17-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro single  vga=792 splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	set quiet=1
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro  vga=792 splash  quiet splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro single  vga=792 splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	set quiet=1
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-15-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro  vga=792 splash  quiet splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-15-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-15-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro single  vga=792 splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-15-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	set quiet=1
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro  vga=792 splash  quiet splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro single  vga=792 splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-13-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	set quiet=1
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-13-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro  vga=792 splash  quiet splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-13-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-13-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-13-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro single  vga=792 splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-13-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-11-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	set quiet=1
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-11-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro  vga=792 splash  quiet splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-11-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-11-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-11-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro single  vga=792 splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-11-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-10-generic" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	set quiet=1
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-10-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro  vga=792 splash  quiet splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-10-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-10-generic (recovery mode)" {
        recordfail=1
        if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
	insmod ext2
	set root=(hd0,5)
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-10-generic root=UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 ro single  vga=792 splash
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-10-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
	linux16	/boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
	linux16	/boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
if [ ${timeout} != -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/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 ###

=============================== sda5/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point>   <type>  <options>       <dump>  <pass>
proc            /proc           proc    defaults        0       0
# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=011aa5f8-2889-4846-a43a-9397747dd038 /               ext3    errors=remount-ro 0       1
# /home was on /dev/sda7 during installation
UUID=3f67587d-80b6-4a30-a992-360f31292bff /home           reiserfs defaults        0       2
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=e8fc8973-9b7a-47f9-be5d-4e0d1f18cdd0 none            swap    sw              0       0
/dev/scd0       /media/cdrom0   udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0       0
/dev/fd0        /media/floppy0  auto    rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0       0

=================== sda5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


   6.3GB: boot/grub/core.img
   6.4GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
   6.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-10-generic
   6.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-11-generic
   6.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-13-generic
   6.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
   6.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-15-generic
   6.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
   6.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-17-generic
   6.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
   6.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-10-generic
   6.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-11-generic
   6.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-13-generic
   6.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
   6.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-15-generic
   6.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic
   6.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-17-generic
   6.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic
   6.4GB: initrd.img
   6.4GB: initrd.img.old
   6.4GB: vmlinuz
   6.4GB: vmlinuz.old
=======Devices which don't seem to have a corresponding hard drive==============

sdb

Any ideas as to how I fix this?

**dcstar** · March 1st, 2010

Originally Posted by lemmy999

Just copied / to a new HDD. On reboot I am getting the error message "the symbol @grub_getcharwidth@ not found. PC then defaults to grub rescue.
..........
Any ideas as to how I fix this?

How did you "copy" the root partition?

**lemmy999** · March 1st, 2010

I used the copy function within Gparted. Usually works very well!

Not a problem- I ended up re-installing 9.10.Just need to get the extra apps now.

**asuastrophysics** · May 13th, 2010

Originally Posted by lemmy999

I used the copy function within Gparted. Usually works very well!

Not a problem- I ended up re-installing 9.10.Just need to get the extra apps now.

???

Is this the only solution??? To reinstall the OS? I already did that. Now I'm getting this error. HELP!!!

**mahboop** · May 14th, 2010

I'm getting the same error when starting up: error:
the symbol 'grub_getcharwidth' not found

**asuastrophysics** · May 15th, 2010

I solved this issue by going to this website:
http://www.supergrubdisk.org/
and making a bootable cd. Then I just randomly pressed a bunch of different options. Then only ubuntu would boot and there was no grub at all. Then I ran update-grub. Fixed it.