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zzzmuzz
January 1st, 2010, 01:12 AM
Set up dual Windows / Ubuntu boot of 9.10 having not used Ubuntu before. The installation went ok, although I had to choose the "trial" first, and once into Ubuntu I could do the installation proper.

At boot, I got the grub menu. Choosing any of the options (except for XP) gave a hang... cursor sat in top right hand corner doing nothing.

After hours I found I could edit the kernel line so I added: all-generic-ide nopapic nolapic

This got me into the Ubuntu main screen. From here whenever I opened a window - eg to check display, the whole thing hung. Similarly when I went to try to access download center.

After many hours, I don't know what to do next.

My notebook is an Asus M2N with 768k Ram.

Help please....I have followed the progress of Ubuntu for years, and would really like to get this to work!!!


Thanks,

muzz

presence1960
January 1st, 2010, 01:48 AM
Set up dual Windows / Ubuntu boot of 9.10 having not used Ubuntu before. The installation went ok, although I had to choose the "trial" first, and once into Ubuntu I could do the installation proper.

At boot, I got the grub menu. Choosing any of the options (except for XP) gave a hang... cursor sat in top right hand corner doing nothing.

After hours I found I could edit the kernel line so I added: all-generic-ide nopapic nolapic

This got me into the Ubuntu main screen. From here whenever I opened a window - eg to check display, the whole thing hung. Similarly when I went to try to access download center.

After many hours, I don't know what to do next.

My notebook is an Asus M2N with 768k Ram.

Help please....I have followed the progress of Ubuntu for years, and would really like to get this to work!!!


Thanks,

muzz

Let's go back to the very beginning, because sometimes a faulty install or Ubuntu not working properly is the result of a corrupted iso or bad burn to CD or bad bootable USB creation.

Did you MD5SUM (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM) the downloaded iso prior to burning it as an image to CD or making a bootable USB?

Did you burn the image to CD at a slow speed? 4x-8x usually works well.

When you booted the CD or the USB did you select "check disk for defects" prior to doing anything else.

If you did all that and everything checks out then it is reasonable to assume your install media is OK. If that is the case you may have had an error or something messed up when installing. But in any case do this:

Let's get a better look at your setup & boot process. Boot the Ubuntu Live CD/USB. 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 to the desktop. Once on desktop open a terminal (Applications > Accessories > 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.


After hours I found I could edit the kernel line so I added: all-generic-ide nopapic nolapic

Did you realize that you can choose those options during the install process? See here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions

zzzmuzz
January 1st, 2010, 03:27 AM
Thanks for this. The Boot options link I had found earlier but perhaps not understood all the implications. It did trigger off when I was trying to use an Acronis Rescue Disk (Linux) some months ago. I recalled that when it didnt work on the Acronis Linux interface they suggested using quiet acpi-off noapic

I have just done that by editing the command and it seems to go ok..so far! I will keep testing and if all is ok , I will follow instructions on your link to make the boot permanent.

If not, I will go back and send the txt file you suggested. BTW , I did do the mem check and all was ok.

Thanks again,

Muzz

zzzmuzz
January 1st, 2010, 04:19 AM
============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================

=> Grub 1.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive
in partition #6 for /boot/grub.
sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows XP
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows XP
Boot files/dirs: /boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM /wubildr.mbr

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows XP
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda5 starts
at sector 63.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /ubuntu/winboot/wubildr.mbr /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
/ubuntu/disks/swap.disk

sda5/Wubi: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system:
Boot sector type: Unknown
Boot sector info:
Mounting failed:
mount: unknown filesystem type ''

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 9.10
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 40.0 GB, 40007761920 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4864 cylinders, total 78140160 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xa8d32665

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 * 63 48,419,909 48,419,847 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 48,419,910 78,140,159 29,720,250 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sda5 48,419,973 66,814,334 18,394,362 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6 66,814,398 77,545,754 10,731,357 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 77,545,818 78,140,159 594,342 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

sda1: UUID="8A44B01744B00849" TYPE="ntfs"
sda5: UUID="CE64B5F364B5DE81" TYPE="ntfs"
sda6: UUID="c304d08f-459d-444a-83c3-c2f89ab44280" TYPE="ext4"
sda7: UUID="5d14ba1a-d5c0-4981-b2fc-054c4ef5c35e" TYPE="swap"

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

aufs on / type aufs (rw)
none on /proc type proc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
none on /sys type sysfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
udev on /dev type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
/dev/sr0 on /cdrom type iso9660 (rw)
/dev/loop0 on /rofs type squashfs (rw)
none on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)
none on /sys/kernel/debug type debugfs (rw)
none on /sys/kernel/security type securityfs (rw)
none on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,noexec,nosuid,gid=5,mode=0620)
none on /dev/shm type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
none on /var/run type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
none on /var/lock type tmpfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
none on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
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.ini: ================================

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\wubildr.mbr = "Ubuntu"

=========================== sda6/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s /boot/grub/grubenv ]; then
have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
fi
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,6)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c304d08f-459d-444a-83c3-c2f89ab44280
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/white
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic" {
recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
set quiet=1
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,6)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c304d08f-459d-444a-83c3-c2f89ab44280
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=c304d08f-459d-444a-83c3-c2f89ab44280 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)" {
recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,6)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c304d08f-459d-444a-83c3-c2f89ab44280
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=c304d08f-459d-444a-83c3-c2f89ab44280 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Professional (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod ntfs
set root=(hd0,1)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 8a44b01744b00849
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

=============================== sda6/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s 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/sda6 during installation
UUID=c304d08f-459d-444a-83c3-c2f89ab44280 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda7 during installation
UUID=5d14ba1a-d5c0-4981-b2fc-054c4ef5c35e none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sda6: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


34.2GB: boot/grub/core.img
34.2GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
34.2GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
34.2GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
34.2GB: initrd.img
34.2GB: vmlinuz
=========================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc =======================

Unknown BootLoader on sda5/Wubi

00000000 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 |0000000000000000|
*
00000200





BTW, I did have to include acpi-off to even get the "try first" option going.

presence1960
January 1st, 2010, 07:12 AM
I think the key is now to edit those kernel lines again and see what happens

I see you have wubi installed. This worries me as I have never seen this:


sda5/Wubi: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system:
Boot sector type: Unknown
Boot sector info:
Mounting failed:
mount: unknown filesystem type ''

I have never seen the text in red- seriously never! Plus that partition is not mountable.

zzzmuzz
January 1st, 2010, 10:23 PM
Thanks. re wubi. This will be related to the fact that I had earlier tried to do the WIndows installation and assumed it had failed.

I have now cleaned off both the Ubuntu partitions -- using Easeus. I have reinstalled Ubuntu and now have Windows on about 25 and Ubuntu on 12 gb. To get Ubuntu to load from grub I still need to add acpi=off in the kernel line. After lots of experimentation this seems to be the only edit I need.

I have looked at the details of how to include "edits" in every boot - is there not a simpler process? Every time I have tried the "Change boot options permanently on an existing installation" instructions the process has failed. The menu.lst always comes up blank.

Almost there!
Muzz

presence1960
January 2nd, 2010, 12:28 AM
Thanks. re wubi. This will be related to the fact that I had earlier tried to do the WIndows installation and assumed it had failed.

I have now cleaned off both the Ubuntu partitions -- using Easeus. I have reinstalled Ubuntu and now have Windows on about 25 and Ubuntu on 12 gb. To get Ubuntu to load from grub I still need to add acpi=off in the kernel line. After lots of experimentation this seems to be the only edit I need.

I have looked at the details of how to include "edits" in every boot - is there not a simpler process? Every time I have tried the "Change boot options permanently on an existing installation" instructions the process has failed. The menu.lst always comes up blank.

Almost there!
Muzz



That's because 9.10 does not use menu.lst- that is used in GRUB 0.97. Karmic uses GRUB2 (version 1.97 beta) and the file is grub.cfg

GRUB 2 is a little different. Here (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2) is a link to GRUB2. I am pretty busy right now but I will try to get back to you tonight if you can't figure out how to make that edit to grub.cfg

drs305
January 2nd, 2010, 12:36 AM
To get Ubuntu to load from grub I still need to add acpi=off in the kernel line. After lots of experimentation this seems to be the only edit I need.

I have looked at the details of how to include "edits" in every boot - is there not a simpler process? Every time I have tried the "Change boot options permanently on an existing installation" instructions the process has failed. The menu.lst always comes up blank.

Almost there!
Muzz


For Grub 2, once you have booted into it normally:
Open this file for editing:


gksu gedit /etc/default/grub

Edit this line and add (if you have other entries on the line, leave them):


GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="acpi=off"

Save the file, then run "sudo update-grub"

If you look at /boot/grub/grub.cfg after updating Grub, you should see your Ubuntu entries with lines such as:
Example:


linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=5a880a39-36a1-46f5-b106-e979608f295a ro acpi=off quiet splash

zzzmuzz
January 2nd, 2010, 01:09 AM
Thank you Presence and DRS. I did this:


GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="acpi=off"

rebooted and all worked ok.

FYU though DRS, when I ran
sudo update-grub I get:

Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found Microsoft Windows XP Professional on /dev/sda1
done


No mention of acpi=off anywhere! Still, like I said, it all seems to boot correctly now.

happy new year ....as I am in New Zealand, I'm now in Jan 2!

Cheers,
Muzz

drs305
January 2nd, 2010, 01:15 AM
Thank you Presence and DRS. I did this:

rebooted and all worked ok.
No mention of acpi=off anywhere! Still, like I said, it all seems to boot correctly now.


Muzz,

You wouldn't see it in the terminal window but it should be inserted into grub.cfg Only the kernels and OSs update finds are displayed in the terminal window during the update, and actually only those whose script includes the code to echo it in the terminal (not all do).

But the "acpi=off" should be included in the "linux" boot command for each linux kernel in the grub.cfg file.

Happy GNU year to you as well.

Added: You can mark this SOLVED via the Thread Tools at the top right of the first post if you don't have any other questions. (It's reversible).