Borked grub. Error on boot.

[dougleduck]

I have several partitions, including windows partition, partition for media files...

Tried to re-install ubuntu including seperate /, /home and /boot/grub partition. However on boot I get this error 15 File Not Found.

Using the ubuntu live CD using grub to find /boot/grub/stage1 or /grub/stage1 I found the /boot/grub partition was empty. I copied over the files from /usr/lib/grub but to no avail.

Think I need to install grub to this partition still but the grub installer seems to be complaining about the boot partition not being on same device as grub partition.

How do I get grub fixed? :S

[dougleduck]

*bump*

If someone can walk me through installing grub thatd be great. I've tried reading around but there's often not a lot of explanation of what's being done so can't work out what to do. :S

[mhgsys]

ok,
Bootup a live cd, open a terminal and do the following.

sudo grub
This will get you a "grub>" prompt (i.e. the grub shell). At grub>. enter these commands

Code:
find /boot/grub/stage1
This will return a location. If you have more than one, select the installation that you want to provide the grub files.
Next, THIS IS IMPORTANT, whatever was returned for the find command use it in the next line (you are still at grub>. when you enter the next 3 commands)

Code:
root (hd?,?)
Again use the value from the find command i.e. if find returned (hd0,1) then you would enter root (hd0,1)

Next enter the command to install grub to the mbr

Code:
setup (hd0)
Finally exit the grub shell
Code:
quit

Hope this helps for you
mhgsys

[dougleduck]

So this doesn't work. This is without mounting any partitions. As entered into bash shell and error messages.


grub

grub> find /boot/grub/stage1

Error 15: File not found
grub> find /grub/stage1

Error 15: File not found

I would like to install grub onto a seperate /boot/grub partition really btw, but without live CD I have a bricked laptop any setup would be good.

For extra info heres details of my current partitions with what they are intended for, or already are, just to clarify.

/dev/sda1 125MB fat16 //MBR i believe???:S
/dev/sda2 10GB ntfs //vista recovery
/dev/sda3 35GB ntfs //vista
/dev/sda4 - extended //logical partition?
/dev/sda8 290MB ext3 //where I want "/boot/grub"
/dev/sda9 14BG ext3 "/home"
/dev/sda10 21GB ext3 "/" for ubuntu 8.10 (main distro)
/dev/sda5 5GB ext3 ubuntu 64 "/"
/dev/sda7 200GB ext3 "/media/storage" large file storage
/dev/sda6 2GB ext3 swap

[meierfra.]

In order to get a clearer picture of your setup, I suggest to boot from your Ubuntu Live CD (the Ubuntu install CD), download the Boot Info Script to the Live CD desktop:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/bootinfoscript/

Then open a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and type:


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 the RESULTS.txt file to your next post, highlight the copied text, and click the pound/hash sign "#" graphic button 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.

[Neo_The_User]

I thought GRUB error 21 meant file not found. ...hmm

[mhgsys]

@dougleduck.

Try mounting /dev/sda1
and try

find /boot/grub/stage1

again.

[dougleduck]

Ok so results of the script first. I hadn't mounted any partitions at this point.


============================= 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.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Dell Utility: Fat16
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: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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 /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda4: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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: /etc/fstab

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Boot file info: Grub0.97 in the file /stage1 looks at sector 1 of the
same hard drive for the stage2 file. A stage2 file is
at this location on /dev/sda. Stage2 looks on the same
partition for /boot/grub/stage2.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 8.10
Boot files/dirs: /etc/fstab

sda10: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x98000000

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 257,039 256,977 de Dell Utility
/dev/sda2 258,048 21,229,567 20,971,520 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 * 21,237,930 93,691,079 72,453,150 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda4 93,691,080 625,137,344 531,446,265 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 167,702,598 178,192,979 10,490,382 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 620,944,443 625,137,344 4,192,902 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 178,193,043 620,944,379 442,751,337 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 93,691,206 94,285,484 594,279 83 Linux
/dev/sda9 94,285,548 123,588,044 29,302,497 83 Linux
/dev/sda10 123,588,108 167,702,534 44,114,427 83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

/dev/sda1: SEC_TYPE="msdos" LABEL="DellUtility" UUID="07D9-0204" TYPE="vfat"
/dev/sda2: UUID="BAEC98ADEC986603" LABEL="RECOVERY" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda3: UUID="E0D69B96D69B6B92" LABEL="OS" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda5: UUID="6f9e07ec-252b-412d-ae09-725aac8f227e" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda6: UUID="aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21" TYPE="swap"
/dev/sda7: UUID="362faf1d-9237-4ae5-b3b2-21a83e12a4fc" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda8: UUID="05c5c03a-18b1-40e2-9b57-602f0fa238d7" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda9: UUID="e4572268-9dbc-476f-afdc-2ff1c53cdbb2" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda10: UUID="775ab177-c728-4a26-8de9-46d4e2285e91" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"

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

/proc on /proc type proc (rw)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.27-7-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.27-7-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
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)
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
fusectl on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
/dev/scd0 on /cdrom type iso9660 (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0 on /rofs type squashfs (ro,noatime)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
binfmt_misc on /proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc type binfmt_misc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
gvfs-fuse-daemon on /home/ubuntu/.gvfs type fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon (rw,nosuid,nodev,user=ubuntu)


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

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda8
UUID=6f9e07ec-252b-412d-ae09-725aac8f227e / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sda5
UUID=45ad75ab-c298-4017-8d75-850e50403f00 /boot/grub ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda6
UUID=7e9ffe2a-4866-4405-975f-ea63ecadec09 /home ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda12
UUID=aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


90.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
90.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
90.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
90.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
90.8GB: initrd.img
90.8GB: initrd.img.old
90.7GB: vmlinuz
90.7GB: vmlinuz.old

=================== sda8: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


47.9GB: stage2

=============================== sda9/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda9
UUID=e4572268-9dbc-476f-afdc-2ff1c53cdbb2 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sda8
UUID=05c5c03a-18b1-40e2-9b57-602f0fa238d7 /boot/grub ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda10
UUID=775ab177-c728-4a26-8de9-46d4e2285e91 /home ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda6
UUID=aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sda9: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


56.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
56.6GB: vmlinuz

And result after mounting sda1. Wasn't sure where to mount this, so made directory to mount to /mnt/danger.


mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/danger
sudo grub

grub> find /boot/grub/stage1

Error 15: File not found

grub> find /grub/stage1

Error 15: File not found

[mhgsys]

try making /media/disk

[dougleduck]

Think this is what you meant. Again no luck


sudo mkdir /media/disk
sudo mount /dev/sda1 /media/disk/
sudo grub
grub> find /boot/grub/stage1

Error 15: File not found

grub> find /grub/stage1

Error 15: File not found

[mhgsys]

try the same thing on sda8


sda8: according to your post __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Boot file info: Grub0.97 in the file /stage1 looks at sector 1 of the
same hard drive for the stage2 file. A stage2 file is
at this location on /dev/sda. Stage2 looks on the same
partition for /boot/grub/stage2.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

[meierfra.]

To locate the stage1 file try:


sudo grub
find /stage1

But the file "menu.lst" is be missing. Also your Ubuntu / partition seems to be /dev/sda9 ( and not /dev/sda10). And your Ubuntu / partition is missing the "initrd.img" file.

So I suggested to reinstall Ubuntu one more time.
But do not try to make a separate grub partition. Just use a "/" and "/home" partition. After you successfully installed Ubuntu, follow this tutorial to create a dedicated grub partition:

http://users.bigpond.net.au/hermanzone/p15.htm#How_to_make_a_separate_Grub_Partition_

[dougleduck]

I'll have a go at re-installing without seperate grub partition though.


sudo mkdir /media/disk
sudo mount /dev/sda8 /media/disk/
sudo grub
grub> find /boot/grub/stage1

Error 15: File not found
find /grub/stage1

Error 15: File not found

grub> find /stage1
(hd0,7)

[mhgsys]

eeeehmz,

reading your post.

grub> find /stage1
(hd0,7)


Seems you've found it.

[dougleduck]

I assumed meierfra was suggesting that even if I'd found it would need to re-install.

Still get Error 15 on boot. Mounting sda10 where my / partition is there is no grub folder in /

Still getting the Error 15 using grub from bash after mounting sda10 with

find /boot/grub/stage1, /grub/stage1 and /stage1.

I made a grub folder and moved files from /usr/lib/grub.

@find /stage1@ returns

(hd0,9)
Will I then be able to install grub?


============================= 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.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Dell Utility: Fat16
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: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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 /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda4: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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: /etc/fstab

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Boot file info: Grub0.97 in the file /stage1 looks at sector 1 of the
same hard drive for the stage2 file. A stage2 file is
at this location on /dev/sda. Stage2 looks on the same
partition for /boot/grub/stage2.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 8.10
Boot files/dirs: /etc/fstab

sda10: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x98000000

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 257,039 256,977 de Dell Utility
/dev/sda2 258,048 21,229,567 20,971,520 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 * 21,237,930 93,691,079 72,453,150 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda4 93,691,080 625,137,344 531,446,265 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 167,702,598 178,192,979 10,490,382 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 620,944,443 625,137,344 4,192,902 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 178,193,043 620,944,379 442,751,337 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 93,691,206 94,285,484 594,279 83 Linux
/dev/sda9 94,285,548 123,588,044 29,302,497 83 Linux
/dev/sda10 123,588,108 167,702,534 44,114,427 83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

/dev/sda1: SEC_TYPE="msdos" LABEL="DellUtility" UUID="07D9-0204" TYPE="vfat"
/dev/sda2: UUID="BAEC98ADEC986603" LABEL="RECOVERY" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda3: UUID="E0D69B96D69B6B92" LABEL="OS" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda5: UUID="6f9e07ec-252b-412d-ae09-725aac8f227e" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda6: UUID="aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21" TYPE="swap"
/dev/sda7: UUID="362faf1d-9237-4ae5-b3b2-21a83e12a4fc" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda8: UUID="05c5c03a-18b1-40e2-9b57-602f0fa238d7" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda9: UUID="e4572268-9dbc-476f-afdc-2ff1c53cdbb2" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda10: UUID="775ab177-c728-4a26-8de9-46d4e2285e91" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"

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

/proc on /proc type proc (rw)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.27-7-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.27-7-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
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)
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
fusectl on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
/dev/scd0 on /cdrom type iso9660 (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0 on /rofs type squashfs (ro,noatime)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
binfmt_misc on /proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc type binfmt_misc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
gvfs-fuse-daemon on /home/ubuntu/.gvfs type fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon (rw,nosuid,nodev,user=ubuntu)


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

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda8
UUID=6f9e07ec-252b-412d-ae09-725aac8f227e / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sda5
UUID=45ad75ab-c298-4017-8d75-850e50403f00 /boot/grub ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda6
UUID=7e9ffe2a-4866-4405-975f-ea63ecadec09 /home ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda12
UUID=aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


90.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
90.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
90.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
90.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
90.8GB: initrd.img
90.8GB: initrd.img.old
90.7GB: vmlinuz
90.7GB: vmlinuz.old

=================== sda8: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


47.9GB: stage2

=============================== sda9/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda9
UUID=e4572268-9dbc-476f-afdc-2ff1c53cdbb2 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sda8
UUID=05c5c03a-18b1-40e2-9b57-602f0fa238d7 /boot/grub ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda10
UUID=775ab177-c728-4a26-8de9-46d4e2285e91 /home ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda6
UUID=aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sda9: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


56.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
56.6GB: vmlinuz

[meierfra.]

I assumed meierfra was suggesting that even if I'd found it would need to re-install.

Yes I was. Your are missing two essential files (menu.lst and initrd.img). If you want, I can tell you how to generate those files manually. But I'm not sure that those are the only files missing. So reinstalling seems to be easiest solution.

[dougleduck]

I have re-installed, above comments apply after re-installation. Sorry, should have made that clearer/.

[mhgsys]

Maybe meierfra is right,
I'm not sure though, but thats only because this has always worked for me

Anyway,
If you want to give it a last try before installing another ubuntu you can proceed with the info grub gave you

in a terminal:
grub

root > (hd0,9)


Next enter the command to install grub to the mbr

Code:
setup (hd0)
Finally exit the grub shell
Code:
quit

[mhgsys]

EDIT: You allready re-Installed.
I was typing this before I red your update

[meierfra.]

I have re-installed, above comments apply after re-installation.

Are you able to boot into the new Ubuntu?

The "RESULTS.txt" seems to be the same as the previous one (that's why I thought you hadn't reinstalled)
If you still had the old "RESULT.txt" on the Desktop when you run the boot info script, the new file will be called "RESULTS1.txt.

[dougleduck]

The new install doesn't work. Get Error 15 on boot.

I think I posted the wrong tab, so here it is. Subtlely different. Should be able make menu.lst, have a backup from before things got messed up I know how to edit. But the initrd.img, no idea how to do this.


============================= 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.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Dell Utility: Fat16
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: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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 /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda4: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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: /etc/fstab

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda10: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 8.10
Boot files/dirs: /etc/fstab

sda11: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x98000000

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 257,039 256,977 de Dell Utility
/dev/sda2 258,048 21,229,567 20,971,520 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 * 21,237,930 93,691,079 72,453,150 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda4 93,691,080 625,137,344 531,446,265 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 167,702,598 178,192,979 10,490,382 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 620,944,443 625,137,344 4,192,902 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 178,193,043 620,944,379 442,751,337 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 93,691,206 94,076,639 385,434 83 Linux
/dev/sda9 94,076,703 124,069,994 29,993,292 83 Linux
/dev/sda10 124,070,058 160,071,659 36,001,602 83 Linux
/dev/sda11 160,071,723 167,702,534 7,630,812 83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

/dev/sda1: SEC_TYPE="msdos" LABEL="DellUtility" UUID="07D9-0204" TYPE="vfat"
/dev/sda2: UUID="BAEC98ADEC986603" LABEL="RECOVERY" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda3: UUID="E0D69B96D69B6B92" LABEL="OS" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda5: UUID="6f9e07ec-252b-412d-ae09-725aac8f227e" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda6: UUID="aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21" TYPE="swap"
/dev/sda7: UUID="362faf1d-9237-4ae5-b3b2-21a83e12a4fc" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda8: UUID="1a4f30a8-cad3-437b-8796-568941f13354" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda9: UUID="2180d717-fe3b-424f-ad38-a0b71672c471" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda10: UUID="8f915c09-d440-41ef-807f-029d8f62e861" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda11: UUID="bb7dff9e-23bb-40b9-9360-4e314fa9d235" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"

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

/proc on /proc type proc (rw)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.27-7-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.27-7-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
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)
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
fusectl on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
/dev/scd0 on /cdrom type iso9660 (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0 on /rofs type squashfs (ro,noatime)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
binfmt_misc on /proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc type binfmt_misc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
gvfs-fuse-daemon on /home/ubuntu/.gvfs type fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon (rw,nosuid,nodev,user=ubuntu)


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

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda8
UUID=6f9e07ec-252b-412d-ae09-725aac8f227e / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sda5
UUID=45ad75ab-c298-4017-8d75-850e50403f00 /boot/grub ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda6
UUID=7e9ffe2a-4866-4405-975f-ea63ecadec09 /home ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda12
UUID=aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


90.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
90.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
90.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
90.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
90.8GB: initrd.img
90.8GB: initrd.img.old
90.7GB: vmlinuz
90.7GB: vmlinuz.old

=============================== sda10/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda10
UUID=8f915c09-d440-41ef-807f-029d8f62e861 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sda9
UUID=2180d717-fe3b-424f-ad38-a0b71672c471 /home ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda6
UUID=aadda235-9cc5-461c-a33d-9ae821176a21 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sda10: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


66.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
66.7GB: vmlinuz

[mhgsys]

Seems to me that most of grub is located on sda5
and that you got another one messed up at sda10.

Seems to me that if you put in the sda10 grub info into the menu.1st located in sda5, and then reinstall grub with the menu.1st from sda5 onto sda0 your done.

what a dizzy setup.






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


90.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
90.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
90.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
90.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
90.8GB: initrd.img
90.8GB: initrd.img.old
90.7GB: vmlinuz
90.7GB: vmlinuz.old



=================== sda10: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


66.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
66.7GB: vmlinuz

[dougleduck]

sda5 doesn't have grub installed as I had grub installed onto seperate partition. Also that install, which hasn't been touched since things broke, is 64 bit distro, don't know if that would affect things or not.

[meierfra.]

You still don't have a menu.lst and initrd.img. Also grub did not get install in the MBR (you still have the old grub in the MBR pointing to /dev/sda5)

Did you get any error messages during the installation? Maybe there is something wrong with the Live CD? Did you check the CD for errors? At what speed did you burn the CD?

[dougleduck]

Got an error about ubiquity at the end of the install, think I misread that it was just graphical front end to the installer, but re-reading seems this was the installer. :S Don't know what speed was burned at but I did check the CD after I'd burned it. But that was a few weeks ago so I'll check it again.

[meierfra.]

Yes, ubiquity is the installer.

But lets try to fix your problems manually. Boot from the LiveCD, open a terminal and chroot into /dev/sda10:


sudo mount /dev/sda10 /mnt
sudo mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
sudo mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
sudo chroot /mnt /bin/bash


and then generate "initrd.img", install grub and generate menu.lst:


update-initramfs -k all (edit: this needs to be update-initramfs -c -k all)
grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
update-grub
exit


Reboot and hope for the best.

[dougleduck]

update-initramfs -k all
You must specify at least one of -c, -u, or -d.

Usage: /usr/sbin/update-initramfs [OPTION]...

So I did the following as didn't seem to have this file

update-initramfs -c -k all
Which seemed to work.


grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
Probing devices to guess BIOS drives. This may take a long time.
Could not find device for /boot: Not found or not a block device.

Will this work without first mounting sda? Or was that meant to be sda10?

[meierfra.]

update-initramfs -c -k all

Yup, that's the correct command. My bad.



grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
Probing devices to guess BIOS drives. This may take a long time.
Could not find device for /boot: Not found or not a block device

Let's try this outside the chroot.

Open a new terminal:


sudo mount /dev/sda10 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt --recheck /dev/sda
(the first line is only necessary if you did reboot since the last time you mounted /dev/sda10)

(But the last command from my previous post ( "update-grub") needs to be run in the chroot)

[dougleduck]

I now have a working computer! Thanks all for your time and advice. I don't quite understand what I've done though. Could somone tell me or point me to simple explanation of whats on the MBR, where grub is installed, what needs to know where the menu.lst is etc? Thought I'd understood it when set up grub partition before but obviously didn't.

[meierfra.]

Could someone tell me or point me to simple explanation of whats on the MBR, where grub is installed, what needs to know where the menu.lst is etc?

Grub comes in three stages: stage1 stage1.5 and stage2

The MBR is the first sector of the hard drive.

stage1 is installed in the MBR. The physical location of stage1.5 is stored in stage1 and the main purpose of stage1 is to call stage1.5

stage1.5 is usually installed in the first few sectors after the MBR. stage1.5 is in charge of calling stage2. The hard drive ( say 1), partition (say 3) and the path ( say /boot/grub/stage2) of stage2 are stored in stage1.5. So stage1.5 will look for /boot/grub/stage2 on the partition (hd1,3).

stage2 is installed in a file on the root (or boot or grub) partition.
stage2 is much larger than stage1 and stage1.5 and does the real booting.
The path of "menu.lst" is stored here and stage2 will use the information from menu.lst to create the Grub menu. Once you select a title in the Grub menu, stage2 will read that item and carry out the instruction. Lets say menu.lst says:

title Ubuntu
uuid 1234...
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=UUUID=abcd.. ro quiet
initrd /boot/initrd.img


Then stage2 will look for the files /boot/vmlinuz and /boot/initrd.img on the partition with the UUID 1234... and loads the kernel (/boot/vmlinuz) and the initial file system (/boot/initrd.img) into memory. The other parameters in the kernel line (root=UUUID=abcd.. ro quiet) are not used by stage2, but are just past to the kernel.

The kernel (with help of the initial file system) will now continue the booting and sets up the root file system contained in the partition with UUID abcd...


I hope this makes some sense and (at least partially) answers your question.

[dougleduck]

Thanks, that was really clear and helpful. Maybe next time I'll work it out myself. (next time??? :S)