Partition problem

[seattle vic]

I guess it's time I learned more about partitions. I have a laptop with 2 HD's. When it came new, I left sda alone, and installed Ubuntu on sdb. No problems, and I was able to dual boot to vista when needed, which was only for the occasional game distraction.

Soooo, the other day I decided to try and install 64 bit Ubuntu. Since I'd set up the Ubuntu installer for 1 partition on sdb, I decided to use the extended partion in sda. It installed OK, and is usable, as is vista, but something happened, because now when I try and boot either Ubuntu, it bogs down with errors - mostly that seem to relate to sda, etc. It slogs through these after about 5 minutes, then boots and works OK.

The layout in sda that came with the machine was:

/dev/sda1 fat32 9.77G (labeled RECOVERY)
/dev/sda2 ntfs 116.4
/dev/sda3 extended 106.68
/dev/sda5 ext3 106.68

I believe that when I wrote the 64 bit sys from the live disk to the hard drive, it showed sda5 and that's what I chose.

The other interesting thing is that I can no longer view the contents of sda2 as I used to from nautilus, although vista does boot fine (and without the delay).

I'm tempted to re-install 64 bit using the entire disk, and blow vista away, though I'd still like to have it handy (even though it is a pos).

Is there a simple way to fix/correct this? I don't even know what I did wrong. If I was to re-partition sda and re-install vista, with a 2nd partition for 64 ubuntu, how would I go about it with a cleaner result?

Thanks in advance

[caljohnsmith]

How about opening a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and please post the output of:

sudo fdisk -lu
sudo sfdisk -d

[seattle vic]

How about opening a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and please post the output of:

sudo fdisk -lu
sudo sfdisk -d


You bet:

vic@vic-laptop:~$ sudo fdisk -lu
[sudo] password for vic:

Disk /dev/sda: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x97646c29

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 63 20482874 10241406 1c Hidden W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda2 * 20482875 264670874 122094000 17 Hidden HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 264670875 488392064 111860595 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda5 264670938 488392064 111860563+ 83 Linux

Disk /dev/sdb: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x84f5997e

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 63 470174354 235087146 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 470174355 488392064 9108855 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 470174418 488392064 9108823+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris

vic@vic-laptop:~$ sudo sfdisk -d
# partition table of /dev/sda
unit: sectors

/dev/sda1 : start= 63, size= 20482812, Id=1c
/dev/sda2 : start= 20482875, size=244188000, Id=17, bootable
/dev/sda3 : start=264670875, size=223721190, Id= f
/dev/sda4 : start= 0, size= 0, Id= 0
/dev/sda5 : start=264670938, size=223721127, Id=83
# partition table of /dev/sdb
unit: sectors

/dev/sdb1 : start= 63, size=470174292, Id=83
/dev/sdb2 : start=470174355, size= 18217710, Id= 5
/dev/sdb3 : start= 0, size= 0, Id= 0
/dev/sdb4 : start= 0, size= 0, Id= 0
/dev/sdb5 : start=470174418, size= 18217647, Id=82
vic@vic-laptop:~$

[caljohnsmith]

Disk /dev/sda: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x97646c29

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 63 20482874 10241406 1c Hidden W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda2 * 20482875 264670874 122094000 17 Hidden HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 264670875 488392064 111860595 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda5 264670938 488392064 111860563+ 83 Linux


I looked it over carefully, and your partition table table looks just fine to me. But as I have highlighted above, for some reason your sda1 and sda2 partitions were "hidden" at some point, so it would be good to unhide them. How about doing:

sudo grub
grub> unhide (hd0,0)
grub> unhide (hd0,1)
grub> quit
And that should hopefully fix that problem. But I'm not sure why you would be having problems with the Ubuntu install, because like I said, at least your partition table looks good. I think it might help if you installed with a swap partition--is there some reason why you chose not to do that? Just curious.

[seattle vic]

I looked it over carefully, and your partition table table looks just fine to me. But as I have highlighted above, for some reason your sda1 and sda2 partitions were "hidden" at some point, so it would be good to unhide them. How about doing:

sudo grub
grub> unhide (hd0,0)
grub> unhide (hd0,1)
grub> quit
And that should hopefully fix that problem. But I'm not sure why you would be having problems with the Ubuntu install, because like I said, at least your partition table looks good. I think it might help if you installed with a swap partition--is there some reason why you chose not to do that? Just curious.

I did the unhide thing and it did unhide the two partitions, but ubuntu is still choking on boot-up. It does seem odd that booting up on sdb creates errors re: sda though.

On the swap partition, my mistake. I was in a hurry and forgot.

[caljohnsmith]

I think it would help to get more info about your system, so how about downloading the Boot Info Script (https://sourceforge.net/projects/bootinfoscript/) to your Ubuntu desktop, open a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and do:

sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh
That will create a "RESULTS.txt" file in the same directory from where the script is run, namely your desktop; please copy/paste the contents of that file to your next post, highlight the copied text, and click the pound sign # graphic in the Ubuntu forum message box so that the text will get "code" tags put around it. The results of that script will help clarify your setup and hopefully give some clues what your booting problem might be.

[seattle vic]

I think it would help to get more info about your system, so how about downloading the Boot Info Script (https://sourceforge.net/projects/bootinfoscript/) to your Ubuntu desktop, open a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and do:

sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh
That will create a "RESULTS.txt" file in the same directory from where the script is run, namely your desktop; please copy/paste the contents of that file to your next post, highlight the copied text, and click the pound sign # graphic in the Ubuntu forum message box so that the text will get "code" tags put around it. The results of that script will help clarify your setup and hopefully give some clues what your booting problem might be.

OK, here it is:
================================================== =============

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

=> Grub0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive
in partition #5 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.
=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Vista: Fat 32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /BOOTMGR

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows Vista
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 8.10
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 8.10
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive sda: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sda: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x97646c29

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 20,482,874 20,482,812 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda2 * 20,482,875 264,670,874 244,188,000 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 264,670,875 488,392,064 223,721,190 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda5 264,670,938 488,392,064 223,721,127 83 Linux


Drive sdb: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x84f5997e

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 63 470,174,354 470,174,292 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 470,174,355 488,392,064 18,217,710 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 470,174,418 488,392,064 18,217,647 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

/dev/sda1: LABEL="RECOVERY" UUID="3C98-AC5D" TYPE="vfat"
/dev/sda2: UUID="88B4C2D3B4C2C344" LABEL="VistaOS" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda5: UUID="5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sdb1: UUID="e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sdb5: UUID="db011b17-d833-47a2-81dd-b0140206cfc7" TYPE="swap"

=============================== "mount" output: ===============================

/dev/sdb1 on / type ext3 (rw,relatime,errors=remount-ro)
tmpfs on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
/proc on /proc type proc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
varrun on /var/run type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
varlock on /var/lock type tmpfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev,mode=1777)
udev on /dev type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /dev/shm type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,noexec,nosuid,gid=5,mode=620)
fusectl on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
lrm on /lib/modules/2.6.27-11-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=755)
securityfs on /sys/kernel/security type securityfs (rw)
binfmt_misc on /proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc type binfmt_misc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
gvfs-fuse-daemon on /home/vic/.gvfs type fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon (rw,nosuid,nodev,user=vic)

=========================== sda5/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-11-generic (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-11-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-10-generic (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-10-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-10-generic
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-10-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-10-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-10-generic
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-8-generic (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-8-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-8-generic
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-8-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-8-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-8-generic
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sdb1.
title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+ (on /dev/sdb1)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
savedefault
boot



title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic (64 bit)
uuid 5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic (64 bit, recovery mode)
uuid 5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (64 bit)
uuid 5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (64 bit, recovery mode)
uuid 5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
uuid 5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,1)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader, recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1






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

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda5
UUID=5f0ed58e-9e16-4515-89c9-24c30d22a0d5 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sdb5
UUID=db011b17-d833-47a2-81dd-b0140206cfc7 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


177.8GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
177.8GB: boot/grub/stage2
177.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
177.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
177.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
177.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic
177.8GB: initrd.img
177.8GB: initrd.img.old
177.7GB: vmlinuz
177.7GB: vmlinuz.old

=========================== sdb1/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-11-generic
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-11-generic (recovery mode)
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-10-generic
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-10-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-10-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-10-generic (recovery mode)
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-10-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-10-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-8-generic
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-8-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-8-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-8-generic (recovery mode)
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-8-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-8-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (recovery mode)
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
uuid e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,1)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista/Longhorn - loader (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1


=============================== sdb1/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sdb1
UUID=e0501242-0e12-4c39-8a54-1be6acd3444a / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sdb5
UUID=db011b17-d833-47a2-81dd-b0140206cfc7 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sdb1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


82.6GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
82.6GB: boot/grub/stage2
82.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-10-generic
82.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
82.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
82.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-8-generic
82.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-10-generic
82.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
82.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
82.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-8-generic
82.6GB: initrd.img
82.6GB: initrd.img.old
82.5GB: vmlinuz
82.6GB: vmlinuz.old

[caljohnsmith]

As far as I can tell based on the info the script provided, everything about your setup looks to be in order. What exactly are the errors you get on start up? That might give some better clues what the problem is.