Can't select Ubuntu partition to boot into?

[Nagantman]

I'm using a Dell Dimension 2400 computer that has Windows XP on it. I successfully installed Ubuntu 12.04 into a partition. For some reason when I restart my computer, when I go to boot options that partition isn't a choice for booting into. I tried out Ubuntu with my CD and used Boot-Repair, to no avail. What do I do? Any and all help greatly appreciated.

[Kirk Schnable]

I'm using a Dell Dimension 2400 computer that has Windows XP on it. I successfully installed Ubuntu 12.04 into a partition. For some reason when I restart my computer, when I go to boot options that partition isn't a choice for booting into. I tried out Ubuntu with my CD and used Boot-Repair, to no avail. What do I do? Any and all help greatly appreciated.

What happens when you boot? Does the GRUB boot loader ever appear, does the computer boot straight to Windows XP, black screen, or other?

[Nagantman]

When I turn the computer on, I hit the F2 key. After that I go to boot setup yet my partition isn't there. Only boot from floppy disk, cd-r drive, and c:/ not my partition.

[oldfred]

Computers do not boot partitions. They boot MBR.

Multibooters, Pictures here worth 1000+ words
http://www.multibooters.co.uk/multiboot.html

You need to install grub2's boot loader to the MBR of sda. Boot-Repair can do that for you. If you then still have issues post link to BootInfo report that it creates.

MBR details including 2TiB limit and GPT link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_boot_record

[Nagantman]

Here are the results after using Boot-Repair and using the recommended option.

Boot successfully repaired.

Please write on a paper the following URL:
http://paste.ubuntu.com/1418257/

In case you still experience boot problem, indicate this URL to:
boot.repair@gmail.com or to your favorite support forum.

You can now reboot your computer.

[oldfred]

Does it boot Ubuntu?
And does Windows chain load entry work ok?

Script looks ok.

[Nagantman]

Everything seems to be fine now, when I woke up this morning it gave me the option to boot into Windows XP or Ubuntu. I still have a few issues though. I created a swap partition and I don't think it is working. Ubuntu also freezes up on me and I have to reboot sometimes. Also sometimes when I log in, the words are all screwed up, and it is very hard to read everything. A bit hard to explain, unfortunately I didn't screen shot it. The only way I know how to solve it, is by rebooting.

[oldfred]

It may be a video issue?
What video card/chip do you have?

How much RAM do you have? Ubuntu needs 512KB minimum and then only 2D may work.

What does this show from terminal:

free -m

[Nagantman]

total used free shared buffers cached
Mem: 1505 1180 324 0 69 794
-/+ buffers/cache: 316 1188
Swap: 0 0 0
nagantman@nagantman-Dimension-2400:~$

I did create a linux-swap partition though so how do get it working? Intel Corporation 82845G/GL chipset

[Kirk Schnable]

I did create a linux-swap partition though so how do get it working?

This section of the Ubuntu community documentation discusses how to use the swapon command to enable your swap partition.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Sw..._being_used.3F