No bootable Device error

[ddsvi78]

After a fresh install of Ubuntu Server I get the error " No bootable device -- insert disk and press any key "

If I put the live CD in and select "Boot from first hard drive" Grub loads and everything comes up as expected. But I cant seem to get the system to boot directly to the first hard drive without the Live CD.

I have checked the boot order in the BIOS and have set the Hard drive to be first in line, this hasnt helped. Just for fun I tried going through the system recovery option on the Live CD and when it gets to detecting the filesystem. It says something to the affect of No file system found, it may not be mounted or something like that. If you need the full error I get here, I can go through that process again.

But then I put the live cd in again, select boot from first hard drive and everything boots up perfectly.

Any ideas?

[rreese6]

Looks as if you did not write grub to the Master Boot Record (MBR) but to the first sector of the HD. Once you boot up on the live CD you could run grub-install to fix that

[ddsvi78]

Thanks rresse6 for the reply.

I am not sure how to correctly run grub-install.

However I did do the following.



grub> find /boot/grub/stage1
(hd0,0)
(hd1,0)

grub> root (hd0,0)

grub> setup (hd0)
Checking if "/boot/grub/stage1" exists... yes
Checking if "/boot/grub/stage2" exists... yes
Checking if "/boot/grub/e2fs_stage1_5" exists... yes
Running "embed /boot/grub/e2fs_stage1_5 (hd0)"... 17 sectors are embedded.
succeeded
Running "install /boot/grub/stage1 (hd0) (hd0)1+17 p (hd0,0)/boot/grub/stage2
/boot/grub/menu.lst"... failed

Error 22: No such partition

grub>

[ddsvi78]

LOL, now since I have done that, I cant boot up using the CD any longer.

So I went ahead and went back through the recover a broken system option. Here is the message I get:


The installer could not find any partitions, so you will not be able to mount a root file system. This may be caused by the kernel failing to detect your hard disk drive or failing to read the partition table, or the disk may be unpartitioned. If you wish, you may investigate this from a shell in the installer environment.
No partitions Found


This is the same message I was getting before I mucked it up worse.

[presence1960]

Let's get a better look at your setup & boot process. Boot the Ubuntu Live CD. Choose "try ubuntu without any changes", when the desktop loads come back here and use the link in my signature to download the Boot Info Script 0.32 to the desktop. Once on desktop open a terminal and run this command
sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh This will create a RESULTS.txt file on the desktop. Paste the entire contents of that file back here. Once pasted highlight all text and click the # sign on the toolbar to place code tags around the text.

[ddsvi78]

Here you go,







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

=> Grub0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive
in partition #256 for /boot/grub/stage2.
=> Grub0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive
in partition #256 for /boot/grub/stage2.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 9.04
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 9.04
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: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00019b67

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 613,120,724 613,120,662 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 613,120,725 625,137,344 12,016,620 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 613,120,788 625,137,344 12,016,557 82 Linux swap / Solaris


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00019b67

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 63 613,120,724 613,120,662 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 613,120,725 625,137,344 12,016,620 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 613,120,788 625,137,344 12,016,557 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"
/dev/sda1: UUID="3afcdb75-753e-4681-9ad9-8861385c60f6" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda5: UUID="da1566a3-6220-4239-90c2-2376a7ec4a26" TYPE="swap"
/dev/sdb1: UUID="3afcdb75-753e-4681-9ad9-8861385c60f6" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sdb5: UUID="da1566a3-6220-4239-90c2-2376a7ec4a26" TYPE="swap"

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

proc on /proc type proc (rw)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.28-11-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)
/dev/sr0 on /cdrom type iso9660 (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0 on /rofs type squashfs (ro,noatime)
fusectl on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
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)


=========================== sda1/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 3

## 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=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## 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

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## 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 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-server
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server root=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-server (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server root=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server

title Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

=============================== sda1/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'vol_id --uuid' to print the universally unique identifier for a
# device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name devices
# that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# / was on /dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 during installation
UUID=3afcdb75-753e-4681-9ad9-8861385c60f6 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume05 during installation
UUID=da1566a3-6220-4239-90c2-2376a7ec4a26 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sda1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


75.5GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
75.4GB: boot/grub/stage2
75.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server
75.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server
75.5GB: initrd.img
75.4GB: vmlinuz

=========================== 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 3

## 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=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## 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

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## 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 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-server
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server root=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-server (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server root=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server

title Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

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

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'vol_id --uuid' to print the universally unique identifier for a
# device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name devices
# that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# / was on /dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 during installation
UUID=3afcdb75-753e-4681-9ad9-8861385c60f6 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume05 during installation
UUID=da1566a3-6220-4239-90c2-2376a7ec4a26 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


75.5GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
75.4GB: boot/grub/stage2
75.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server
75.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server
75.5GB: initrd.img
75.4GB: vmlinuz

[presence1960]

It looks like you have a RAID array, correct? Unfortunately I am not versed in RAID.

But I did notice that your GRUB in both MBRs points to partition # 256 which does not exist. I would look into that.

[ddsvi78]

Yes you are correct there is a Raid 1 setup.

Can you point me in the right direction for fixing grub to point to the correct partition?

If you think that this issue has to do with the raid, I can always remove the hardware raid and re-install linux.

[presence1960]

Yes you are correct there is a Raid 1 setup.

Can you point me in the right direction for fixing grub to point to the correct partition?

If you think that this issue has to do with the raid, I can always remove the hardware raid and re-install linux.

I am not versed in RAID, but you can try this. Your GRUB is pointing to partition # 256 but your Ubuntu is on the first partition on both disks.


1. Boot your computer up with Ubuntu CD
2. Open a terminal window or switch to a tty.
3. Type sudo grub. Should get text of which last line is grub>
4. Type "find /boot/grub/stage1". You'll get a response like "(hd0,0) & (hd1,0)". Use whatever your computer spits out for the following lines.
5. Type "root (hd0,0)", or whatever your hard disk + boot partition
numbers are for Ubuntu.
6. Type "setup (hd0)", to install GRUB to MBR

This will fix sda, now do sdb:


1. Type "root (hd1,0)", or whatever your hard disk + boot partition
numbers are for Ubuntu.
2. Type "setup (hd1)", to install GRUB to MBR
3. Quit grub by typing "quit".
4. Reboot and remove the bootable CD.

Like I said I am not versed in RAID so I do not know if when you restore GRUB on sda if it will also put it on sdb. But these are the correct partitions for GRUB to point to.

[ddsvi78]

Ok, I did that, and rebooted without the CD, I still get the Insert Bootable Disk message. So I boot back up with the CD and run that utility again. Here is what I get.





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

=> Grub0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive
in partition #1 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.
=> Grub0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive
in partition #1 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 9.04
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 9.04
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: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00019b67

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 63 613,120,724 613,120,662 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 613,120,725 625,137,344 12,016,620 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 613,120,788 625,137,344 12,016,557 82 Linux swap / Solaris


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00019b67

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 63 613,120,724 613,120,662 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 613,120,725 625,137,344 12,016,620 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 613,120,788 625,137,344 12,016,557 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"
/dev/sda1: UUID="3afcdb75-753e-4681-9ad9-8861385c60f6" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda5: UUID="da1566a3-6220-4239-90c2-2376a7ec4a26" TYPE="swap"
/dev/sdb1: UUID="3afcdb75-753e-4681-9ad9-8861385c60f6" SEC_TYPE="ext2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sdb5: UUID="da1566a3-6220-4239-90c2-2376a7ec4a26" TYPE="swap"

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

proc on /proc type proc (rw)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/volatile type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /lib/modules/2.6.28-11-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)
/dev/sr0 on /cdrom type iso9660 (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0 on /rofs type squashfs (ro,noatime)
fusectl on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
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)


=========================== sda1/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 3

## 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=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## 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

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## 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 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-server
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server root=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-server (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server root=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server

title Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

=============================== sda1/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'vol_id --uuid' to print the universally unique identifier for a
# device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name devices
# that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# / was on /dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 during installation
UUID=3afcdb75-753e-4681-9ad9-8861385c60f6 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume05 during installation
UUID=da1566a3-6220-4239-90c2-2376a7ec4a26 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sda1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


75.5GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
75.4GB: boot/grub/stage2
75.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server
75.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server
75.5GB: initrd.img
75.4GB: vmlinuz

=========================== 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 3

## 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=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## 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

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## 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 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-server
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server root=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-server (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server root=/dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server

title Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

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

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'vol_id --uuid' to print the universally unique identifier for a
# device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name devices
# that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# / was on /dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume01 during installation
UUID=3afcdb75-753e-4681-9ad9-8861385c60f6 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/mapper/isw_bebiecfafj_Volume05 during installation
UUID=da1566a3-6220-4239-90c2-2376a7ec4a26 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


75.5GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
75.4GB: boot/grub/stage2
75.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-server
75.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-server
75.5GB: initrd.img
75.4GB: vmlinuz

[ddsvi78]

Doing this did fix the issue so that I can get back in using the LIVE CD option "Boot from first hard drive".

So now I am back to my original issue. I wander if it does have to do with the RAID. I have attempted the install 3 times on this machine with the same result using different guided install options.

[presence1960]

Doing this did fix the issue so that I can get back in using the LIVE CD option "Boot from first hard drive".

So now I am back to my original issue. I wander if it does have to do with the RAID. I have attempted the install 3 times on this machine with the same result using different guided install options.

Did you install with the alternate text based installer? This has support for RAID set up where the Live CD does not. Get it here (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/downloadmirrors#alternate).

I wish I know more about RAID. Maybe someone who does will come along.

[ddsvi78]

No I didnt install with the text based installer. I would prefer to figure out how to fix it, just for future knowledge instead of just re-installing again. But if we cant figure it out, then I will go ahead and re-install. I think I will wait a day or 2 to see if anyone has any further ideas.

We have to be close. The server is up and running, just have to use the CD to get Grub to load.

[presence1960]

No I didnt install with the text based installer. I would prefer to figure out how to fix it, just for future knowledge instead of just re-installing again. But if we cant figure it out, then I will go ahead and re-install. I think I will wait a day or 2 to see if anyone has any further ideas.

We have to be close. The server is up and running, just have to use the CD to get Grub to load.

Sounds like a good plan. Sorry I don't know RAID. I do know that the alternate installer will detect your RAID and ask you if you want to activate it. Wish I knew more about RAID.

You may want to consider marking this thread as solved and start a new thread with RAID in the title so to draw attention from those with RAID knowledge.

[ddsvi78]

Hey Presence1960,

Just wanted to shoot you a reply and say I got it fixed. I ended up using Super Grub Disk and Activating the first Partition. Once I did this, everything loaded up perfectly.

Thanks for the help.

link for reference: http://www.supergrubdisk.org/forum/index.php?topic=375.0

[presence1960]

Hey Presence1960,

Just wanted to shoot you a reply and say I got it fixed. I ended up using Super Grub Disk and Activating the first Partition. Once I did this, everything loaded up perfectly.

Thanks for the help.

link for reference: http://www.supergrubdisk.org/forum/index.php?topic=375.0

Great news! Sorry i couldn't be more help but I know close to nothing about RAID. Enjoy ubuntu.

[huuan]

I had a similar problem involving RAID1 and no bootable device which I just solved yesterday. The catalyst was a post on the apple intel users ubuntu forum
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=761023
which talked about using something called refit to sync the partition table.
I ended up using a related tool called gptsync which fixed the problem (woohoo!)
-------------
from man gptsync:
gptsync - GPT partition table to MBR partition table synchronisation
gptsync reads the GPT partition table on device and synchronises the legacy MBR partition table with the GPT partition table. The MBR partition table can hold only 4 partitions.

Legacy bootloaders or operating systems that do not support GPT require an MBR partition table; this is typically the case when using GRUB or LILO on an Intel-based Apple machine.
-------------------
I wasn't using a mac, here's the background in case other folks have the same issue:
intel i7 cpu, ubuntu 9.10 server, 2 sata hdd in raid1 for /, swap and 1 other partition but ext3 for /boot
partition table like this for each of two 2TB disks with 1st partition on each bootable.
100MB /boot ext3 (boot enabled)
20GB / RAID1
6GB swap RAID1
1000GB /shares RAID1
9xxGB spare for later

The reason I'm using separate ext3 /boot is that the 9.10 server installer would not support booting from RAID1 and so I ended up regressing to grub legacy and having a separate boot partition.

The install went fine, RAID1 works and reboot worked fine with both drives in place. Now I needed to be able to boot from the second hard drive in case of failure of the first drive so I copied over /boot to the 2nd drive and tried it out but kept getting "No bootable device" when trying to boot from the second hard drive with the first removed.

Lots of research, reinstalls and trying different things over many days, all to no avail until I found that message in the apple users section about refit.

Installed refit and somehow gptsync came with it so I read man on both and the gptsync seemed more applicable to my case so I tried it out and saw that it was friendly in that it shows you what it will do before it does it and gives you the chance to opt out.
Here's what gptsync shows on a run for my system:
# gptsync /dev/sda


Current GPT partition table:
# Start LBA End LBA Type
1 34 195346 EFI System (FAT)
2 195347 39257847 Linux RAID
3 39257848 50976598 Linux RAID
4 50976599 2004101599 Linux RAID

Current MBR partition table:
# A Start LBA End LBA Type
1 * 1 3907029167 ee EFI Protective

Status: MBR table must be updated.

Proposed new MBR partition table:
# A Start LBA End LBA Type
1 1 33 ee EFI Protective
2 * 34 195346 83 Linux
3 195347 39257847 fd Linux RAID
4 39257848 50976598 fd Linux RAID

After I ran gptsync on both drives I can now boot from either with the other removed. woohoo! Thanks Christoph Pfisterer for gptsync. :popcorn: