GRUB Boot Problems

[ticker]

I recently installed Unbuntu 8.10 successfully alongside Vista, everything was running fine until about an hour ago when I installed Paragon Partition Manager 9 on Vista. This software had somehow installed its own boot loader without me realising that it had done so. Now when I rebooted the first time after this Paragon's boot loader showed up with the Vista option to boot and an option to remove this loader but no entry for Unbuntu. I booted to Vista which worked OK, on my next reboot I removed the Paragon loader and on my next reboot is where my problems really began because this time I got nothing at all, I was expecting my usual GRUB loader but instead all I did get was a never ending screen full of the word GRUB!

Any and all assistance in resolving this problem of mine will be greatly appreciated.

ticker

[ajgreeny]

I can see no reason why it should not be possible to reinstall grub over this paragon/windows bootloader using the ubuntu live CD, which I trust you have.

Follow this guide:-
Boot into the ubuntu live CD
open a terminal and run :

sudo grub
This gets you to a simple grub command line.
Then:

find /boot/grub/stage1
This will tell you where your /boot/grub/stage1 is which is needed to boot ubuntu. If you have more than one linux install you may get more than one answer here. Use the one from which you want to use grub. Replace the question marks in the following command with the output of the this last command :

root (hd?,?)
[like : root (hd0,1) ,probably]
then:

setup (hd0)
This is where your windows partition and MBR normally is, but if you want grub on another disk, use hd1, etc as appropriate. It's much easier to use the windows MBR and then just change the default boot system later if others in the family demand windows boots by default.
Then:

quit
Finally reboot, and hopefully you will now have a working grub bootloader.

[ticker]

Thanks for the assistance AJ but I am afraid I did not have any success with your suggestions.

Firstly, I could not boot from my LiveCD, 8.10, I got the following response,

1. Starting System Tools Backends system-tools-backends.ok
2. Starting deferred execution scheduler atd.ok
3. Starting Periodic command scheduler crond.ok
4. Enabling additional executable binary formats bin fmt-support. ok
5. Checking Battery state. ok
.........then the system just hangs, turning off the machine then gives me
Stopping Gnome display manager.

My system does boot from my LiveCD 8.04 however, but it does not find stage1 but does find stage2 and I am able to complete the process with success until I reboot again and I still get the screen full of repeating GRUBs'.

Thanks again for your assistance.
ticker

[caljohnsmith]

Did you make sure to run the grub command as root, i.e. "sudo grub" and not just "grub"? That can be a cause of Grub giving a "file not found" error when really the file exists. If that is not your case, how about downloading the Boot Info Script (https://sourceforge.net/projects/bootinfoscript/) to your Ubuntu Live CD 8.04 desktop 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 what the solution to your booting problem might be.

[ticker]

Hi CalJohnSmith,

Thanks for the assistance that you have provided. I have run through the previous suggestion from AJ, this time finding stage1 and completeing successfully, but alas with the same results on reboot, a screen full of GRUBS again!!!

So I have followed your suggestion and provide the results.txt here

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

=> Grub is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on boot drive #105 in
partition #225 for /e8del.
=> Grub0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive
in partition #2 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.
=> Syslinux is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdc
=> Syslinux is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdd

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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 /Boot/BCD

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sdb5 starts
at sector 2048.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sdb6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdc1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Fat32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sdd1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Fat32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive sda: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sda: 200.0 GB, 200049647616 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24321 cylinders, total 390721968 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x773e149c

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 2,048 3,074,047 3,072,000 27 Unknown
/dev/sda2 * 3,074,048 197,634,047 194,560,000 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 197,634,048 390,719,487 193,085,440 7 HPFS/NTFS

/dev/sda3 ends after the last cylinder of /dev/sda

Drive sdb: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 200.0 GB, 200049647616 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24321 cylinders, total 390721968 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x5d379805

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 63 209,005,649 209,005,587 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sdb5 4,096 201,189,119 201,185,024 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb6 201,198,123 209,005,649 7,807,527 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sdb2 209,005,650 390,716,864 181,711,215 83 Linux


Drive sdc: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdc: 8086 MB, 8086617600 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 983 cylinders, total 15794175 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdc1 * 44 15,679,439 15,679,396 b W95 FAT32


Drive sdd: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdd: 2062 MB, 2062548992 bytes
16 heads, 32 sectors/track, 7868 cylinders, total 4028416 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x24472446

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdd1 * 32 4,028,415 4,028,384 e W95 FAT16 (LBA)


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

/dev/sda1: UUID="F83655903655512C" LABEL="WinRE" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda2: UUID="460258AE0258A529" LABEL="Vista" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda3: UUID="869C5C8B9C5C779F" LABEL="Data" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sdb2: UUID="643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sdb5: UUID="7C7656F77656B19E" LABEL="WEB SITES" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sdb6: TYPE="swap" UUID="ef15a53c-ce97-449b-9432-02a1467769a3"
/dev/sdc1: LABEL="FLASH DRIVE" UUID="7801-9E81" TYPE="vfat"
/dev/sdd1: SEC_TYPE="msdos" LABEL="FLASH DRIVE" UUID="618B-70C8" TYPE="vfat"
/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"

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

proc on /proc type proc (rw)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.24-16-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.24-16-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
varrun on /var/run type tmpfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev,mode=0755)
varlock on /var/lock type tmpfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev,mode=1777)
udev on /dev type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
devshm on /dev/shm type tmpfs (rw)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,gid=5,mode=620)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
gvfs-fuse-daemon on /home/ubuntu/.gvfs type fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon (rw,nosuid,nodev,user=ubuntu)
/dev/sdd1 on /media/FLASH DRIVE type vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,shortname=mixed,uid=9 99,utf8,umask=077,flush)
/dev/sdc1 on /media/FLASH DRIVE_ type vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,shortname=mixed,uid=9 99,utf8,umask=077,flush)

=========================== sdb2/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 6

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 30

## 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=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118

## 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 2.6.27-9-generic
uuid 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic
uuid 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 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 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
uuid 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
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


=============================== sdb2/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>

proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sdb2 :
UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
#Entry for /dev/sda3 :
UUID=869C5C8B9C5C779F /media/Data ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sdc1 :
UUID=07D3-021B /media/DellUtility vfat defaults,utf8,umask=0 0 2
#Entry for /dev/sda2 :
UUID=460258AE0258A529 /media/Vista ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sdb5 :
UUID=7C7656F77656B19E /media/WEB\040SITES ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sda1 :
UUID=F83655903655512C /media/WinRE ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sdc2 :
UUID=68ACEB2BACEAF30C /media/disk ntfs-3g defaults,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
UUID=5C69-3454 /media/TUFTYDRIVE2 vfat defaults,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,shortname=mixed, uid=1000,utf8,umask=077,flush 0 2
#Entry for /dev/sdb6 :
UUID=ef15a53c-ce97-449b-9432-02a1467769a3 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0



=================== sdb2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


183.2GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
183.2GB: boot/grub/stage2
183.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
183.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
183.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
183.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic
183.3GB: initrd.img
183.3GB: initrd.img.old
183.3GB: vmlinuz
183.3GB: vmlinuz.old

[caljohnsmith]

Ticker, can you change your BIOS to boot the Ubuntu sdb drive on start up instead of your Vista sda drive? In other words, can you change your BIOS boot order to boot sdb first? If so, I think that might solve your problem, because it appears you have Grub correctly installed all ready to your sdb drive. How about giving that a shot and let me know how far you get.

[ticker]

Hi CalJohnSmith,

You are a hero, that saved my skin!! Worked a treat and now I can forget any thoughts I had about reinstalling!!

Many thanks again for your swift and spot on advice.

GBY

ticker

[caljohnsmith]

Glad to hear that worked OK, ticker, but I think there is one more thing you will want to take care of. I don't know if you've noticed yet, but I don't think the Vista entry in your Grub menu works any more. You'll need to update your menu.lst in order to boot Vista since you are now booting the Ubuntu drive on start up:

gksudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst
And replace your current Vista entry with the two following entries:

title Windows Vista (hd1)
rootnoverify (hd1,1)
map (hd0) (hd1)
map (hd1) (hd0)
chainloader +1

title Windows Vista (hd2)
rootnoverify (hd2,1)
map (hd0) (hd2)
map (hd2) (hd0)
chainloader +1
Reboot, try both Vista entries from the Grub menu, and most likely one should work. When you find which one works, you can delete the other one from your menu.lst when you get back into Ubuntu. If you have any other problems with it, let me know. Otherwise let me know how it goes.

[ticker]

Yeah I had noticed that I could not boot into Vista and I had been fishing around for an answer to this problem before I got to read your last post. I have followed your instructions as you advised but I am afraid that both options that I entered into the menu.lst gave me the same result when I tried to boot from each of them and this is the message I received:

ERROR 11: unrecognised device string

Thanks again CalJohn for all your help.

ticker

[caljohnsmith]

A Grub error 11 is almost always due to a typo in the menu.lst OS entry; can you copy/paste the entries that I posted? If not, be sure that all the (hd0)'s use zero and not a capital letter O for example. Please check your entries for typos, and I think that might resolve the problem. Let me know how that goes.

[ticker]

Hi Caljohn, been so busy lately that I've only just found time to get back to you. After removing the original entry for Vista in Grub and double checking for typo's in the new entry's I am still getting Error 11 on both of the two new Vista entries on reboot. So I am at a loss at what next to try, do you have any further suggestions? Help!!

Thanks again foe all your help.

ticker

[caljohnsmith]

Can you copy/paste the entire contents of your menu.lst to your next post? I think that will help clarify what the problem might be.

[ticker]

Hi there again Caljohn,

I'm afraid I have hit another problem trying to get the listing you requested of me.
Instead I get the following,

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo bash |/desktop/boot_info_script*.sh
bash: /desktop/boot_info_script*.sh: No such file or directory
bash: echo: write error: Broken pipe

So what should I do now? Further assistance Caljohn will be greatly appreciated.

ticker

[caljohnsmith]

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo bash |/desktop/boot_info_script*.sh
bash: /desktop/boot_info_script*.sh: No such file or directory
bash: echo: write error: Broken pipe

It looks like you are mistyping, because you put a "pipe" or "|" in the above command where you don't need one (that should be a tilde ~ instead); also, "desktop" needs to be capitalized since Linux is case sensitive. It should simply be:

sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh

[ticker]

Hi there again,

Silly mistake, sorry!!

Here are the results that you asked for earlier.

ticker

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

=> Grub is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on boot drive #105 in
partition #225 for /e8del.
=> Grub0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive
in partition #2 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.
=> Syslinux is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdc

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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 /Boot/BCD

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sdb5 starts
at sector 2048.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sdb6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdc1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Fat32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive sda: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sda: 200.0 GB, 200049647616 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24321 cylinders, total 390721968 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x773e149c

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 2,048 3,074,047 3,072,000 27 Unknown
/dev/sda2 * 3,074,048 197,634,047 194,560,000 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 197,634,048 390,719,487 193,085,440 7 HPFS/NTFS

/dev/sda3 ends after the last cylinder of /dev/sda

Drive sdb: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 200.0 GB, 200049647616 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24321 cylinders, total 390721968 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x5d379805

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 63 209,005,649 209,005,587 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sdb5 4,096 201,189,119 201,185,024 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb6 201,198,123 209,005,649 7,807,527 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sdb2 * 209,005,650 390,716,864 181,711,215 83 Linux


Drive sdc: __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdc: 2062 MB, 2062548992 bytes
16 heads, 32 sectors/track, 7868 cylinders, total 4028416 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x24472446

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdc1 * 32 4,028,415 4,028,384 e W95 FAT16 (LBA)


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

/dev/sda1: UUID="F83655903655512C" LABEL="WinRE" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda2: UUID="460258AE0258A529" LABEL="Vista" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda3: UUID="869C5C8B9C5C779F" LABEL="Data" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sdb2: UUID="643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sdb5: UUID="7C7656F77656B19E" LABEL="WEB SITES" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sdb6: UUID="ef15a53c-ce97-449b-9432-02a1467769a3" TYPE="swap"
/dev/sdc1: SEC_TYPE="msdos" LABEL="FLASH DRIVE" UUID="618B-70C8" TYPE="vfat"

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

/dev/sdb2 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)
/dev/sda3 on /media/Data type fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096)
/dev/sda2 on /media/Vista type fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096)
/dev/sdb5 on /media/WEB SITES type fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096)
/dev/sda1 on /media/WinRE type fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096)
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/ticker/.gvfs type fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon (rw,nosuid,nodev,user=ticker)
/dev/sdc1 on /media/FLASH DRIVE type vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,shortname=mixed,uid=1 000,utf8,umask=077,flush)

=========================== sdb2/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 saved

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 30

## 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=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118

## 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 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 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 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic
uuid 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic
uuid 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 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 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
uuid 643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118
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 (hd1)
rootnoverify (hd1,1)
map (hd0)(hd1)
map (hd1)(hd0)
chainloader +1

title Windows Vista (hd2)
rootnoverify (hd2,1)
map (hd0)(hd2)
map (hd2)(hd0)
chainloader +1




=============================== sdb2/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>

proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sdb2 :
UUID=643b205d-4b75-40e7-8230-a87da8d82118 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
#Entry for /dev/sda3 :
UUID=869C5C8B9C5C779F /media/Data ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sdc1 :
UUID=07D3-021B /media/DellUtility vfat defaults,utf8,umask=0 0 2
#Entry for /dev/sda2 :
UUID=460258AE0258A529 /media/Vista ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sdb5 :
UUID=7C7656F77656B19E /media/WEB\040SITES ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sda1 :
UUID=F83655903655512C /media/WinRE ntfs-3g defaults,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
#Entry for /dev/sdc2 :
UUID=68ACEB2BACEAF30C /media/disk ntfs-3g defaults,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,locale=en_GB.UTF-8 0 0
UUID=5C69-3454 /media/TUFTYDRIVE2 vfat defaults,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,shortname=mixed, uid=1000,utf8,umask=077,flush 0 2
#Entry for /dev/sdb6 :
UUID=ef15a53c-ce97-449b-9432-02a1467769a3 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0



=================== sdb2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


183.3GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
183.2GB: boot/grub/stage2
183.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
183.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
183.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
183.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
183.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
183.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic
183.3GB: initrd.img
183.3GB: initrd.img.old
183.3GB: vmlinuz
183.3GB: vmlinuz.old

[caljohnsmith]

title Windows Vista (hd1)
rootnoverify (hd1,1)
map (hd0)(hd1)
map (hd1)(hd0)
chainloader +1

title Windows Vista (hd2)
rootnoverify (hd2,1)
map (hd0)(hd2)
map (hd2)(hd0)
chainloader +1

Spaces, my friend, you need spaces. :) There should be at least one space between the mapped (hdX) drives:


map (hd0) (hd1)
map (hd1) (hd0)
Try doing that for both entries and let me know how that goes. Also, one more thing to take care of would be to restore a Windows MBR to your Vista drive, so how about doing:

sudo apt-get install lilo
sudo lilo -M /dev/sda mbr
And please be careful not to make any typos. :)

[ticker]

Hi CalJohn,

Ouch!, A very well deserved rap on the knuckles, I certainly warranted that one for such basic errors. I apologize if I have taken up more of your time than may have been necessary.

I would like to thank you for all your efforts on solving my problem and I would like to report that your solution has been completely successful, in the end it was the first new entry that worked.

Thanks again,
ticker

[caljohnsmith]

No problem, I'm really glad you can now boot Vista OK now. Cheers and enjoy your dual-boot Ubuntu/Vista setup. :)