dual boot problems

[TXbirder]

I have a Toshiba netbook. It came with WinXP Home installed and worked just fine. I installed UNR, letting the installer automatically repartition the hard drive, allocating about 50% each to XP and UNR.

When I start the computer I get the GRUB screen. When I select XP, it tries to start- I get a Microsoft start screen for about 10 seconds, then a quick flash of what might be a Blue Screen of Death and the computer returns to GRUB.

When I select Ubuntu, UNR opens, but sometimes very slowly( "Waking up. Please wait.." for at least a two or three minutes), and works. UNR startup is unpredictable- sometimes fast- sometimes slow.

So I have no access to WinXP now- can't even open it in Safe mode.

John

[oldfred]

So we can be sure of what is where:

Boot Info Script courtesy of forum member meierfra
Page with instructions and download:
http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/
Be sure to highlight and use code tags (#) to make it easier to read when you post the results.txt.

[TXbirder]

I can't get the download to open. I tried to open it in Desktop and Documents but failed each time.

John

[presence1960]

I can't get the download to open. I tried to open it in Desktop and Documents but failed each time.

John

you don't open the downloaded script. You move it to desktop. Then open a terminal and run this command
sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh

Here are easy full instructions from beginning to end:

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 do the following:

1. Download the boot info script. There is a link in my signature.
2. Once downloaded move the boot info script to the desktop.
3. Open a terminal and run the 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.

See here (http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/) for more info on the boot info script.

Above link is to meierfra's Sourceforge web page.

[TXbirder]

Sorry this is taking so long- I can't figure out how to move the info script to Desktop. When I right-click the boot_info_script icon I get a menu which seems not to offer a means to move the info script to Desktop.

John

[presence1960]

right click the file & choose copy. Now go to desktop & right click and choose paste.

[TXbirder]

At last.

John




Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #5 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

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders, total 312581808 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x9e779e77

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 * 63 155,027,249 155,027,187 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 296,849,070 312,576,704 15,727,635 1c Hidden W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sda3 155,027,250 296,849,069 141,821,820 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 155,027,313 290,969,279 135,941,967 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 290,969,343 296,849,069 5,879,727 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 54D0DC47D0DC30CA ntfs TI100277P0G
/dev/sda2 0401-0163 vfat HDDRECOVERY
/dev/sda5 b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4 ext4
/dev/sda6 69915c67-430f-4735-b093-3016581837e0 swap

============================ "mount | grep ^/dev output: ===========================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda5 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)


================================ 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 Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

=========================== sda5/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=(hd0,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4
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 2.6.31-20-generic" {
recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
set quiet=1
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-20-generic (recovery mode)" {
recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
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=(hd0,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4 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=(hd0,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4 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 Home Edition (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod ntfs
set root=(hd0,1)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 54d0dc47d0dc30ca
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows NT/2000/XP (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod fat
set root=(hd0,2)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 0401-0163
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 ###

=============================== sda5/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/sda5 during installation
UUID=b818ec2c-f499-4337-a5da-39b898a09db4 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=69915c67-430f-4735-b093-3016581837e0 none swap sw 0 0

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


83.2GB: boot/grub/core.img
83.2GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
79.9GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
80.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
79.8GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
80.1GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic
80.3GB: initrd.img
79.9GB: initrd.img.old
80.1GB: vmlinuz
79.8GB: vmlinuz.old

[presence1960]

Sorry for the delay. Your boot info results look OK. You definitely have a windows problem, it is not a GRUB problem.

[oldfred]

I would reinstall the windows boot loader, repair windows or make sure it works, then reinstall grub. Besure to follow the directions for grub2.

Instructions for both are here:

How to restore the Ubuntu/XP/Vista/7 bootloader (Updated for Ubuntu 9.10)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1014708

[wilee-nilee]

In case you need a full install ISO.
http://www.aspireoneguide.com/xpinstallu3.html
It is a straight slipstream no corporate extras.

[TXbirder]

Well, my netbook came with WinXP installed and no CD. The instructions for this download imply that this is good only for Acer Aspires. I could probably install it but my product key is for a Toshiba and might not work with this download.

John

[TXbirder]

WAIT A MINUTE! I just discovered that I can get a recovery CD for XP from Toshiba. I have ordered one, so the re-installation of XP is on hold until the CD arrives.

I'll just have to work XP-less for a week.

John

[wilee-nilee]

Well, my netbook came with WinXP installed and no CD. The instructions for this download imply that this is good only for Acer Aspires. I could probably install it but my product key is for a Toshiba and might not work with this download.

John

The down load as I tried to explain is not for a acer computer although it looks that way, it is a XP ISO with sp3 slipstreamed any key for XP home will work.

[TXbirder]

Thanks