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Thread: Partition/Grub problem

  1. #1
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    Partition/Grub problem

    To remove windows7 from my system I followed the instructions in:

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToRemoveWindows

    I used Parted Magic for the operation.

    All went well until the very last part. Ubuntu was originally installed on an extended partition called sda6 and windows os was on sda1. After deleting the windows partition I made a new partition at the begining of the harddrive (which is an ssd if that makes any difference). As extending an extended partition into unallocated space can't be done, as instructed, I copied the Ubuntu partition and pasted it onto the new partition. I then rebooted into the harddrive and Ubuntu opened as normal. I re-installed grub2 and then re-booted into Parted Magic. I deleted the extended partition containg the original Ubuntu, then created 2 new partions (intending to use them for /home and /data later on). I also created a new swap partition at the end of the drive.

    Upon rebooting back to the harddrive I got an error message saying No Such Partition. I eventually figured out that this meant Grub was still pointing to a partition called sda6. I went back to parted magic and added partitions until I had re-created an extended partition called sda6 and copied Ubuntu from the new sda1 back onto the re-created sda6. Rebooting to the harddrive started Ubuntu as per normal (to my great relief!!!!).

    So I now have 2 identical Ubuntu12.10 installations, one on sda1 and one on sda6.

    How do I get Grub to recognise sda1 instead of sda6?

    I assume it requires editing of grub.cfg but I do not want to mess around editing it without knowing precisely what I am doing.

    Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.
    Last edited by kjbox; February 28th, 2013 at 06:27 AM. Reason: typos

  2. #2
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    first give us the output of :
    Code:
    sudo fdisk -l
    sudo blkid

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  3. #3
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    Thanks for the reply. Here are the outputs.

    only sda1 and sda6 contain anything sda3,4 and 5 were created just to allow me to recreate sda6

    charles@charles-UX31E:~$ sudo fdisk -l
    [sudo] password for charles:

    Disk /dev/sda: 256.1 GB, 256060514304 bytes
    255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 31130 cylinders, total 500118192 sectors
    Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
    Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
    I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
    Disk identifier: 0x13ba8fcf

    Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
    /dev/sda1 2048 52146175 26072064 83 Linux
    /dev/sda2 491925504 500117503 4096000 82 Linux swap / Solaris
    /dev/sda3 52146990 184072769 65962890 83 Linux
    /dev/sda4 184080384 335540223 75729920 5 Extended
    /dev/sda5 184082432 238002175 26959872 83 Linux
    /dev/sda6 238003038 321685559 41841261 83 Linux

    Partition table entries are not in disk order


    charles@charles-UX31E:~$ sudo blkid
    /dev/sda1: LABEL="Ubuntu" UUID="c7232837-fed0-455d-95e1-70697c8bbfae" TYPE="ext4"
    /dev/sda2: UUID="10623995-048e-4032-996f-97bc6e034583" TYPE="swap"
    /dev/sda3: UUID="afddbfd3-241e-49a7-9984-8050e909e39f" TYPE="ext4"
    /dev/sda5: UUID="4caa0a54-3caf-44bd-80b6-4ead8f2136c5" TYPE="ext4"
    /dev/sda6: LABEL="Ubuntu" UUID="c7232837-fed0-455d-95e1-70697c8bbfae" TYPE="ext4"
    /dev/sr1: LABEL="Maxis Broadband" TYPE="iso9660"
    charles@charles-UX31E:~$

  4. #4
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    ok from your description it looks like you need to install/fix grub in partition sda1? if so follow my tutorial:
    http://theguyonthe3rdfloor.wordpress...nstall-grub-2/
    you will need a ubuntu live cd (I am still working on writing the method without the install cd.)

    in your situation the name shoiuld be:
    PARTITION= sda1
    DISKNAME=sda


    let me know if you encounter any problem.

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  5. #5
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    Thanks for that. I do not have a live cd at the moment, I will follow your tutorial as soon as I get/make one.

    Acouple of things come to mind, since the installation on sda6 is just a copy of the one on sda1 presumably Grub is the same on both and Ubuntu does boot from sda6.

    If I unmount sda1 would I not be able to update/install Grub there as if I was working from a live cd?

  6. #6
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    Quote Originally Posted by kjbox View Post
    Thanks for that. I do not have a live cd at the moment, I will follow your tutorial as soon as I get/make one.

    Acouple of things come to mind, since the installation on sda6 is just a copy of the one on sda1 presumably Grub is the same on both and Ubuntu does boot from sda6.

    If I unmount sda1 would I not be able to update/install Grub there as if I was working from a live cd?
    you can run the command i did in the live cd by booting into sda6 and then reboot and update the grub (from sda1 this time). same concept. let me know if works for you.

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  7. #7
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    Ok done the terminal commands, got 'installation finished no error reported' message.

    I will change something on this desktop so that when I reboot I will know that I booted from sda1. Unless, that is, that anything I change here is automatically reflected in the Ubuntu on sda1. Is that the case and if so how can I tell which installation booted?

  8. #8
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    Quote Originally Posted by kjbox View Post
    Ok done the terminal commands, got 'installation finished no error reported' message.

    I will change something on this desktop so that when I reboot I will know that I booted from sda1. Unless, that is, that anything I change here is automatically reflected in the Ubuntu on sda1. Is that the case and if so how can I tell which installation booted?
    when you reboot an update the grub bootloader, and restart the system on your grub menu you will see 2 linux system with the same kernel name and the same recovery name.the on on top should be the sda1 and the one below the other one.

    No the changes you do are indipendent. If you make a change (desktop background for example ) on one , it won't change the other partition.

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  9. #9
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    Hi,

    Sorry for the delay in replying, I have been away.

    It did not work, I got an error message :

    file '/mnt/new/boot/brub/i386-pc/normd.mod' not found.

    I was unable to boot up atall.

    I had to wait a few days before I could get onto the internet with another pc and create a live dvd, I then ran your tutorial and all is fine now.

    Thanks for your help.

  10. #10
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    Re: Partition/Grub problem

    /mnt/new/boot/brub/i386-pc/normd.mod
    Did you use brub or is that just a typo in your post. It should be grub.

    Post the link to the BootInfo report that this creates. Is part of Boot-Repair:
    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Info
    Boot Repair -Also handles LVM, GPT, separate /boot and UEFI dual boot.:
    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair
    You can repair many boot issues with this or 'Create BootInfo' report (Other Options) & post the link it creates, so we can see your exact configuration and diagnose advanced problems.
    Install in Ubuntu liveCD or USB or Full RepairCD with Boot-Repair (for newer computers)
    http://sourceforge.net/p/boot-repair/home/Home/
    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuSecureRemix
    UEFI boot install & repair info - Regularly Updated :
    https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2147295
    Please use Thread Tools above first post to change to [Solved] when/if answered completely.

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