After Fedora FAIL, success with Ubuntu - BUT...

[Leo Rivers]

I bought a magazine with an ubuntu 10 DVD and it installed flawlessly on my laptop which had both Windows and Linux on it.

Unlike FEDORA it didn't lock me out! (when upgrading Fedora it accepted my name and password and then installed forgetting my password).

I was even able to install ubuntu so it seized the Fedora partition. It sees my Windows partition and the partition configured to be shared by Windows and Linux for data.

The only screw up was mine. I left the 2 FAT partitions alone thinking they were Windows but I believe I installed the SWAP space on the DOS-Window Boot partition.

OOOPS.

I have Windows presented as a selection in GRUB, (or whatever it is), but it fails to boot claiming a missing Boot item.

Can anyone suggest a remedy possible for an ignorant person like me?


By the way, ubuntu is amazing. Updates on installation, finding new packages is a breeze, found my network (efn/Quest) connection and even recognized my Mac airport.

It was painless. Even installed a driver to take advantage of my graphics card.

Leo

[Quackers]

Please go to the site below and download the boot script to your DESKTOP and then open up a terminal (Applications > Accessories > terminal) and run

sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh

This will produce a results.txt file on your desktop. Please copy the contents of that file and paste them in your next post between CODE tags. For CODE tags click on New Reply (not quick reply)and then click on the # symbol in the toolbar.
This will give a full overview of your current system.
Thanks.

http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/

[Leo Rivers]

                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 #1 for (,msdos1)/boot/grub.

sda1: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  Ubuntu 10.10
    Boot files/dirs:   /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda2: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       vfat
    Boot sector type:  Windows XP: Fat32
    Boot sector info:  No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
    Operating System:  
    Boot files/dirs:   /boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM /COMMAND.COM

sda3: _________________________________________________________________________

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

sda5: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       vfat
    Boot sector type:  Fat32
    Boot sector info:  According to the info in the boot sector, sda5 starts 
                       at sector 0. But according to the info from fdisk, 
                       sda5 starts at sector 260943858.
    Operating System:  
    Boot files/dirs:   

sda6: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  
    Boot files/dirs:   /grub/menu.lst /grub/grub.conf

sda7: _________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       LVM2_member
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  

sda8: _________________________________________________________________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ _____________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders, total 312581808 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition  Boot         Start           End          Size  Id System

/dev/sda1                  63   146,800,703   146,800,641  83 Linux
/dev/sda2         300,903,120   312,575,759    11,672,640  12 Compaq diagnostics
/dev/sda3         146,800,765   300,897,449   154,096,685   5 Extended
/dev/sda5         260,943,858   300,897,449    39,953,592   c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda6    *    146,800,767   147,210,366       409,600  83 Linux
/dev/sda7         147,210,368   246,728,830    99,518,463  8e Linux LVM
/dev/sda8         246,730,752   260,941,823    14,211,072  82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: ____________________________________________________________

Device           UUID                                   TYPE       LABEL                         

/dev/sda1        d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52   ext4                                     
/dev/sda2        8850-CD70                              vfat       SERVICEV001                   
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos" 
/dev/sda5        475E-BE3C                              vfat                                     
/dev/sda6        f6c4e336-be37-46bd-ab9a-e746d231ebb2   ext4                                     
/dev/sda7        lxaw0O-WYPj-b6bn-GbLd-0AYm-u3rE-GAZFGy LVM2_member                               
/dev/sda8        89bb3e07-c339-4203-b472-598d8e3bd945   swap                                     
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos" 

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

Device           Mount_Point              Type       Options

/dev/sda1        /                        ext4       (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0)


=========================== sda1/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

#
# 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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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 part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
  set gfxmode=640x480
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ "${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/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52 ro   quiet splash
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52
    echo    'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52 ro single 
    echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set d265d1ad-512a-4f0a-8f47-d13517036a52
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows NT/2000/XP (on /dev/sda2)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod fat
    set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8850-cd70
    drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
    chainloader +1
}
### 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 ###

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

=============================== sda1/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    nodev,noexec,nosuid 0       0
/dev/sda1       /               ext4    errors=remount-ro 0       1
# swap was on /dev/sda8 during installation
UUID=89bb3e07-c339-4203-b472-598d8e3bd945 none            swap    sw              0       0

=================== sda1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


   6.5GB: boot/grub/core.img
  53.8GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
   1.1GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
   6.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic
   1.1GB: initrd.img
   6.5GB: vmlinuz

================================ sda2/boot.ini: ================================

[boot loader] 
timeout=0 
default=C:\ 
[operating systems] 
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect 
C:\ = "PC-DOS" 

============================= sda6/grub/grub.conf: =============================

# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE:  You have a /boot partition.  This means that
#          all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
#          root (hd0,5)
#          kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/mapper/VolGroup-lv_root
#          initrd /initrd-[generic-]version.img
#boot=/dev/sda
default=0
timeout=5
splashimage=(hd0,5)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu
title Fedora (2.6.35.6-45.fc14.i686)
    root (hd0,5)
    kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.35.6-45.fc14.i686 ro root=/dev/mapper/VolGroup-lv_root noiswmd LANG=en_US.UTF-8 SYSFONT=latarcyrheb-sun16 KEYBOARDTYPE=pc KEYTABLE=us rhgb quiet
    initrd /initramfs-2.6.35.6-45.fc14.i686.img
title Fedora (2.6.32.26-175.fc12.i686)
    root (hd0,5)
    kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.32.26-175.fc12.i686 ro root=/dev/mapper/VolGroup-lv_root noiswmd LANG=en_US.UTF-8 SYSFONT=latarcyrheb-sun16 KEYBOARDTYPE=pc KEYTABLE=us rhgb quiet
    initrd /initramfs-2.6.32.26-175.fc12.i686.img
title Fedora (2.6.32.21-168.fc12.i686)
    root (hd0,5)
    kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.32.21-168.fc12.i686 ro root=/dev/mapper/VolGroup-lv_root noiswmd LANG=en_US.UTF-8 SYSFONT=latarcyrheb-sun16 KEYBOARDTYPE=pc KEYTABLE=us rhgb quiet
    initrd /initramfs-2.6.32.21-168.fc12.i686.img
title Fedora (2.6.32.19-163.fc12.i686)
    root (hd0,5)
    kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.32.19-163.fc12.i686 ro root=/dev/mapper/VolGroup-lv_root noiswmd LANG=en_US.UTF-8 SYSFONT=latarcyrheb-sun16 KEYBOARDTYPE=pc KEYTABLE=us rhgb quiet
    initrd /initramfs-2.6.32.19-163.fc12.i686.img
title Other
    rootnoverify (hd0,0)
    chainloader +1

=================== sda6: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


  75.1GB: grub/grub.conf
  75.1GB: grub/menu.lst
  75.1GB: grub/stage2
  75.1GB: initramfs-2.6.32.19-163.fc12.i686.img
  75.2GB: initramfs-2.6.32.21-168.fc12.i686.img
  75.2GB: initramfs-2.6.32.26-175.fc12.i686.img
  75.2GB: initramfs-2.6.35.6-45.fc14.i686.img
  75.2GB: initrd-plymouth.img
  75.1GB: vmlinuz-2.6.32.19-163.fc12.i686
  75.2GB: vmlinuz-2.6.32.21-168.fc12.i686
  75.2GB: vmlinuz-2.6.32.26-175.fc12.i686
  75.2GB: vmlinuz-2.6.35.6-45.fc14.i686

[Quackers]

It appears that the only thing remaining of XP is on sda2, which is a partition labelled as Compaq diagnostics. The operating system field is empty.
I am wondering if your XP installation was on sda1, but has now been over-written by Ubuntu 10.10
Did you select the "install alongside" option in the installer?
The 10.10 installer has a nasty habit of over-writing existing installations. That may have happened here.

[Hedgehog1]

I was waiting for Quackers to post first (Quackers is a very smart person, even if his avatar is a bad tempered duck), but I agree that Windows is not really on the disk as a viable OS anymore.

Both: sda2 & sda5 can be deleted.

I also believe sda7 is an abandoned partition.

Leo, if you still have your windows install disks, you can install Virtual Box and run Windows as an application in Ubuntu.

The Hedge

[Leo Rivers]

Sigh...

I thought I was okay avoiding the 2 FAT partitions.

Well... if U 10 installed in Windows partition why does Windows show up as a choice when I hit ESCAPE during opening window and see grub?

And if ubuntu Linux is now in the Windows partition why isn't the old Fedora Linux a choice?

I am like that old man in Moonstruck "confused".
http://ubuntuforums.org/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Quackers]

Sigh...

I thought I was okay avoiding the 2 FAT partitions.

Well... if U 10 installed in Windows partition why does Windows show up as a choice when I hit ESCAPE during opening window and see grub?

And if ubuntu Linux is now in the Windows partition why isn't the old Fedora Linux a choice?

I am like that old man in Moonstruck "confused".
http://ubuntuforums.org/images/smilies/confused.gif

You see the Windows entry in grub because XP-like boot files exist in the sda2 directory (maybe to boot a recovery system???)

The only operating system registered on your hard drive is Ubuntu 10.10, in sda1, as far as I can see. That would explain why Fedora doesn't have an entry in the grub menu. (unless there is an unclean file system involved).

From the Ubuntu desktop, have you run

sudo update-grub

since you installed?

[Leo Rivers]

No.

I will do so and repeat above instructions and post accordingly.

[Leo Rivers]

harald@harald-ThinkPad-T61:~$ sudo update-grub
[sudo] password for harald: 
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found Windows NT/2000/XP on /dev/sda2
done
harald@harald-ThinkPad-T61:~$

[Quackers]

No other OS found in that output.
You seem to have copied the actual boot-info-script, rather than running it and quoting the output file, but it will be the same as earlier anyway.