subtle1976
May 10th, 2010, 05:01 AM
...I have no idea what everyone is talking about. I know that sounds ridiculous, but, being a novice user Ubuntu-speak makes my brain start sizzling. I've tried finding a Lonely Planet Ubuntu-ese Phrase Book, but there doesn't appear to be any on the market - perhaps the travel opportunities are even more limited than Aramaic.
Like many updaters on these pages, I have made the perhaps unwise move to Ubuntu 10.04 from 9.10. All went swimmingly until the Grub loader stopped and a command line for Grub rescue came up, telling me something was wrong with my pots. Now, my wife wants me to pot some basil we have in the garden and I initially went out to have a look whether our pots were broken, but then I realised - how could a computer know about my garden? Obviously it couldn't, so I knew something else was afoot.
For the last three hours, I have been baffled by talk of Gnomes, Grubs, MBRs, SDAs and such. Please, can someone help in plain English? If necessary, I'll even take basic French (I've just learned all about the names of different cheeses in class - perhaps if the person who helps uses roquefort as a metaphor it might help.)
Here's what I can tell you: I'm running (or was running...) a dual boot configuration with OS X Tiger on one and Ubuntu 9.10 on the other. This morning I used the upgrade software option from 9.10 to upgrade to 10.04. When it asked me to indicate where to place Grub, I thought (foolishly as it turns out) that it should go into the same partition as 10.04, which is designated sda4.
When I re-started, I got the aforementioned Grub/pots issue. From boot info script I was able to gain the following:
Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010
============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector 156438400
of the same hard drive for core.img, core.img is at this location on
/dev/sda and looks on partition #4 for /boot/grub.
=> Grub 0.97-os.1 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: vfat
Boot sector type: BSD4.4: Fat32
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda1 starts
at sector 0. But according to the info from fdisk,
sda1 starts at sector 40.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:
sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: hfsplus
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:
sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: Bios Boot Partition
Boot sector type: Grub 2's core.img
Boot sector info:
sda4: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda4 and
looks at sector 156718242 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location.
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img
sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________
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: /boot/grub/menu.lst
sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________
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
sdb6: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sdc: __________________________________________________ _______________________
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:
=========================== 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: 0x00000000
Partition Boot Start End Size Id System
/dev/sda1 1 409,639 409,639 ee GPT
/dev/sda2 * 409,640 156,438,399 156,028,760 af HFS
/dev/sda3 156,438,400 156,440,353 1,954 ef EFI (FAT-12/16/32)
/dev/sda4 156,440,354 306,750,900 150,310,547 83 Linux
GUID Partition Table detected.
Partition Start End Size System
/dev/sda1 40 409,639 409,600 System/Boot Partition
/dev/sda2 409,640 156,438,399 156,028,760 HFS+
/dev/sda3 156,438,400 156,440,353 1,954 Bios Boot Partition
/dev/sda4 156,440,354 306,750,900 150,310,547 Linux or Data
/dev/sda5 306,750,901 312,581,774 5,830,874 Linux Swap
Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___
Disk /dev/sdb: 4009 MB, 4009754624 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 487 cylinders, total 7831552 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xc3072e18
Partition Boot Start End Size Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 63 1,333,394 1,333,332 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sdb2 1,333,395 7,823,654 6,490,260 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 1,333,458 7,422,029 6,088,572 83 Linux
/dev/sdb6 7,422,093 7,823,654 401,562 82 Linux swap / Solaris
blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________
Device UUID TYPE LABEL
/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda1 3991-1105 vfat EFI
/dev/sda2 d6432769-b435-3d32-ac38-d9f22647fdb2 hfsplus Mac OS X
/dev/sda4 dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ext4
/dev/sda5 7ae11f6c-8f68-45e6-9861-c3b9dc02311f swap
/dev/sdb1 B3DC-85AC vfat Lexar
/dev/sdb5 9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548 ext4
/dev/sdb6 055438a9-4ad4-4da2-adaf-7e3fa64a66d4 swap
/dev/sdc EC5B-7856 vfat LEXAR
============================ "mount | grep ^/dev output: ===========================
Device Mount_Point Type Options
aufs / aufs (rw)
/dev/sr0 /cdrom iso9660 (rw)
/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (rw)
/dev/sdc /media/LEXAR vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=devkit,uid=999,gid=999,sh ortname=mixed,dmask=0077,utf8=1,flush)
=========================== sda4/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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi
function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}
function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
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/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-21-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Mac OS X (32-bit) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod hfsplus
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 1883c7cdb7ef2586
insmod vbe
set do_resume=0
if [ /var/vm/sleepimage -nt10 / ]; then
if xnu_resume /var/vm/sleepimage; then
set do_resume=1
fi
fi
if [ $do_resume == 0 ]; then
xnu_uuid 1883c7cdb7ef2586 uuid
if [ -f /Extra/DSDT.aml ]; then
acpi -e /Extra/DSDT.aml
fi
xnu_kernel /mach_kernel boot-uuid=${uuid} rd=*uuid
if [ /System/Library/Extensions.mkext -nt /System/Library/Extensions ]; then
xnu_mkext /System/Library/Extensions.mkext
else
xnu_kextdir /System/Library/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/Extensions.mkext ]; then
xnu_mkext /Extra/Extensions.mkext
fi
if [ -d /Extra/Extensions ]; then
xnu_kextdir /Extra/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/devprop.bin ]; then
xnu_devprop_load /Extra/devprop.bin
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.jpg ]; then
insmod jpeg
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.jpg
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.png ]; then
insmod png
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.png
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.tga ]; then
insmod tga
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.tga
fi
fi
}
menuentry "Mac OS X (64-bit) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod hfsplus
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 1883c7cdb7ef2586
insmod vbe
set do_resume=0
if [ /var/vm/sleepimage -nt10 / ]; then
if xnu_resume /var/vm/sleepimage; then
set do_resume=1
fi
fi
if [ $do_resume == 0 ]; then
xnu_uuid 1883c7cdb7ef2586 uuid
if [ -f /Extra/DSDT.aml ]; then
acpi -e /Extra/DSDT.aml
fi
xnu_kernel64 /mach_kernel boot-uuid=${uuid} rd=*uuid
if [ /System/Library/Extensions.mkext -nt /System/Library/Extensions ]; then
xnu_mkext /System/Library/Extensions.mkext
else
xnu_kextdir /System/Library/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/Extensions.mkext ]; then
xnu_mkext /Extra/Extensions.mkext
fi
if [ -d /Extra/Extensions ]; then
xnu_kextdir /Extra/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/devprop.bin ]; then
xnu_devprop_load /Extra/devprop.bin
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.jpg ]; then
insmod jpeg
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.jpg
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.png ]; then
insmod png
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.png
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.tga ]; then
insmod tga
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.tga
fi
fi
}
### 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 ###
=============================== sda4/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/sda4 during installation
UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=7ae11f6c-8f68-45e6-9861-c3b9dc02311f none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
=================== sda4: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
80.2GB: boot/grub/core.img
80.3GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
87.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
88.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
81.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic
87.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic
88.7GB: initrd.img
87.6GB: initrd.img.old
87.6GB: vmlinuz
81.6GB: vmlinuz.old
=========================== sdb1/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================
# You can edit this file to add your own distribution
# You can choose default to 0 to select first entry
# which it is usually the entry for the default distro
#
#
# You can also set timeout to something as 10
#
# This is the shortcut to call Super Grub Disk (commented)
#title Super Grub Disk
## The two commands: setgrubdevice and usbshift are needed
## so that SGD works well.
#usbshift
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/sgd/menu.lst
#
# Just after default and timeout statements you have to put
# setgrubdevice so that grub device is correctly set.
default 0
timeout 2
setgrubdevice # This is compulsory
#sgdgfxmenu /boot/grub/message
foreground ffffff
background 0c00ff
color white/brown yellow/cyan
#title Inicio normal / Normal Boot
#kernel $(grub_device)/vmlinuz lang=es a11y=none root=/dev/ram0 ramdisk_size=100000 initrd=initramfs quiet BOOT=live splash
#initrd $(grub_device)/initramfs
#title Soporte de accesibilidad / Accesibility Support -->
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/grub/menu2.lst
title Super Grub Disk
# The two commands: setgrubdevice and usbshift are needed
# so that SGD works well.
usbshift
configfile $(grub_device)/boot/sgd/sgd.lst
#title Normal boot. Kernel is aware of Boot device
#kernel $(grub_device)/vmlinuz lang=es a11y=none root=/dev/ram0 ramdisk_size=100000 initrd=initramfs quiet BOOT=live splash boot_device=$(grub_device)
#initrd $(grub_device)/initramfs
#title Normal boot. Selecting kernel and initrd files depending on grub_device
#kernel $(grub_device)/vmlinuz_$(grub_device_string) lang=es a11y=none root=/dev/ram0 ramdisk_size=100000 initrd=initramfs quiet BOOT=live splash
#initrd $(grub_device)/initramfs_$(grub_device_string)
#title Selecthd test
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/grub/choose/selecthd.lst
#title findp test
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/grub/choose/selectpart.lst
#title set SGD variables and boot SGD
#
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/sgd/menu.lst
=================== sdb1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
??GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
??GB: boot/grub/stage2
=========================== sdb5/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=(hd1,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548
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=(hd1,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548 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=(hd1,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548 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 "Mac OS X (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod hfsplus
set root=(hd0,2)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c0ef3056154540e0
insmod vbe
do_resume=0
if [ /var/vm/sleepimage -nt10 / ]; then
if xnu_resume /var/vm/sleepimage; then
do_resume=1
fi
fi
if [ $do_resume == 0 ]; then
xnu_uuid c0ef3056154540e0 uuid
if [ -f /Extra/DSDT.aml ]; then
acpi -e /Extra/DSDT.aml
fi
xnu_kernel /mach_kernel boot-uuid=${uuid} rd=*uuid
if [ /System/Library/Extensions.mkext -nt /System/Library/Extensions ]; then
xnu_mkext /System/Library/Extensions.mkext
else
xnu_kextdir /System/Library/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/Extensions.mkext ]; then
xnu_mkext /Extra/Extensions.mkext
fi
if [ -d /Extra/Extensions ]; then
xnu_kextdir /Extra/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/devtree.txt ]; then
xnu_devtree /Extra/devtree.txt
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.jpg ]; then
insmod jpeg
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.jpg
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.png ]; then
insmod png
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.png
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.tga ]; then
insmod tga
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.tga
fi
fi
}
### 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 ###
=============================== sdb5/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/sdb5 during installation
UUID=9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=055438a9-4ad4-4da2-adaf-7e3fa64a66d4 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
=================== sdb5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
3.0GB: boot/grub/core.img
3.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
1.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
3.1GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
1.5GB: initrd.img
3.1GB: vmlinuz
All of your kind help and patience is appreciated. Now, to that basil...
Like many updaters on these pages, I have made the perhaps unwise move to Ubuntu 10.04 from 9.10. All went swimmingly until the Grub loader stopped and a command line for Grub rescue came up, telling me something was wrong with my pots. Now, my wife wants me to pot some basil we have in the garden and I initially went out to have a look whether our pots were broken, but then I realised - how could a computer know about my garden? Obviously it couldn't, so I knew something else was afoot.
For the last three hours, I have been baffled by talk of Gnomes, Grubs, MBRs, SDAs and such. Please, can someone help in plain English? If necessary, I'll even take basic French (I've just learned all about the names of different cheeses in class - perhaps if the person who helps uses roquefort as a metaphor it might help.)
Here's what I can tell you: I'm running (or was running...) a dual boot configuration with OS X Tiger on one and Ubuntu 9.10 on the other. This morning I used the upgrade software option from 9.10 to upgrade to 10.04. When it asked me to indicate where to place Grub, I thought (foolishly as it turns out) that it should go into the same partition as 10.04, which is designated sda4.
When I re-started, I got the aforementioned Grub/pots issue. From boot info script I was able to gain the following:
Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010
============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector 156438400
of the same hard drive for core.img, core.img is at this location on
/dev/sda and looks on partition #4 for /boot/grub.
=> Grub 0.97-os.1 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: vfat
Boot sector type: BSD4.4: Fat32
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda1 starts
at sector 0. But according to the info from fdisk,
sda1 starts at sector 40.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:
sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: hfsplus
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:
sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: Bios Boot Partition
Boot sector type: Grub 2's core.img
Boot sector info:
sda4: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda4 and
looks at sector 156718242 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location.
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img
sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________
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: /boot/grub/menu.lst
sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________
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
sdb6: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sdc: __________________________________________________ _______________________
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:
=========================== 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: 0x00000000
Partition Boot Start End Size Id System
/dev/sda1 1 409,639 409,639 ee GPT
/dev/sda2 * 409,640 156,438,399 156,028,760 af HFS
/dev/sda3 156,438,400 156,440,353 1,954 ef EFI (FAT-12/16/32)
/dev/sda4 156,440,354 306,750,900 150,310,547 83 Linux
GUID Partition Table detected.
Partition Start End Size System
/dev/sda1 40 409,639 409,600 System/Boot Partition
/dev/sda2 409,640 156,438,399 156,028,760 HFS+
/dev/sda3 156,438,400 156,440,353 1,954 Bios Boot Partition
/dev/sda4 156,440,354 306,750,900 150,310,547 Linux or Data
/dev/sda5 306,750,901 312,581,774 5,830,874 Linux Swap
Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___
Disk /dev/sdb: 4009 MB, 4009754624 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 487 cylinders, total 7831552 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xc3072e18
Partition Boot Start End Size Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 63 1,333,394 1,333,332 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sdb2 1,333,395 7,823,654 6,490,260 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 1,333,458 7,422,029 6,088,572 83 Linux
/dev/sdb6 7,422,093 7,823,654 401,562 82 Linux swap / Solaris
blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________
Device UUID TYPE LABEL
/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda1 3991-1105 vfat EFI
/dev/sda2 d6432769-b435-3d32-ac38-d9f22647fdb2 hfsplus Mac OS X
/dev/sda4 dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ext4
/dev/sda5 7ae11f6c-8f68-45e6-9861-c3b9dc02311f swap
/dev/sdb1 B3DC-85AC vfat Lexar
/dev/sdb5 9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548 ext4
/dev/sdb6 055438a9-4ad4-4da2-adaf-7e3fa64a66d4 swap
/dev/sdc EC5B-7856 vfat LEXAR
============================ "mount | grep ^/dev output: ===========================
Device Mount_Point Type Options
aufs / aufs (rw)
/dev/sr0 /cdrom iso9660 (rw)
/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (rw)
/dev/sdc /media/LEXAR vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=devkit,uid=999,gid=999,sh ortname=mixed,dmask=0077,utf8=1,flush)
=========================== sda4/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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi
function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}
function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
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/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-21-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,4)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Mac OS X (32-bit) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod hfsplus
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 1883c7cdb7ef2586
insmod vbe
set do_resume=0
if [ /var/vm/sleepimage -nt10 / ]; then
if xnu_resume /var/vm/sleepimage; then
set do_resume=1
fi
fi
if [ $do_resume == 0 ]; then
xnu_uuid 1883c7cdb7ef2586 uuid
if [ -f /Extra/DSDT.aml ]; then
acpi -e /Extra/DSDT.aml
fi
xnu_kernel /mach_kernel boot-uuid=${uuid} rd=*uuid
if [ /System/Library/Extensions.mkext -nt /System/Library/Extensions ]; then
xnu_mkext /System/Library/Extensions.mkext
else
xnu_kextdir /System/Library/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/Extensions.mkext ]; then
xnu_mkext /Extra/Extensions.mkext
fi
if [ -d /Extra/Extensions ]; then
xnu_kextdir /Extra/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/devprop.bin ]; then
xnu_devprop_load /Extra/devprop.bin
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.jpg ]; then
insmod jpeg
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.jpg
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.png ]; then
insmod png
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.png
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.tga ]; then
insmod tga
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.tga
fi
fi
}
menuentry "Mac OS X (64-bit) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod hfsplus
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 1883c7cdb7ef2586
insmod vbe
set do_resume=0
if [ /var/vm/sleepimage -nt10 / ]; then
if xnu_resume /var/vm/sleepimage; then
set do_resume=1
fi
fi
if [ $do_resume == 0 ]; then
xnu_uuid 1883c7cdb7ef2586 uuid
if [ -f /Extra/DSDT.aml ]; then
acpi -e /Extra/DSDT.aml
fi
xnu_kernel64 /mach_kernel boot-uuid=${uuid} rd=*uuid
if [ /System/Library/Extensions.mkext -nt /System/Library/Extensions ]; then
xnu_mkext /System/Library/Extensions.mkext
else
xnu_kextdir /System/Library/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/Extensions.mkext ]; then
xnu_mkext /Extra/Extensions.mkext
fi
if [ -d /Extra/Extensions ]; then
xnu_kextdir /Extra/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/devprop.bin ]; then
xnu_devprop_load /Extra/devprop.bin
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.jpg ]; then
insmod jpeg
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.jpg
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.png ]; then
insmod png
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.png
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.tga ]; then
insmod tga
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.tga
fi
fi
}
### 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 ###
=============================== sda4/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/sda4 during installation
UUID=dd2fe246-01bb-4bc7-b059-554091c62855 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=7ae11f6c-8f68-45e6-9861-c3b9dc02311f none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
=================== sda4: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
80.2GB: boot/grub/core.img
80.3GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
87.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
88.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
81.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic
87.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic
88.7GB: initrd.img
87.6GB: initrd.img.old
87.6GB: vmlinuz
81.6GB: vmlinuz.old
=========================== sdb1/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================
# You can edit this file to add your own distribution
# You can choose default to 0 to select first entry
# which it is usually the entry for the default distro
#
#
# You can also set timeout to something as 10
#
# This is the shortcut to call Super Grub Disk (commented)
#title Super Grub Disk
## The two commands: setgrubdevice and usbshift are needed
## so that SGD works well.
#usbshift
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/sgd/menu.lst
#
# Just after default and timeout statements you have to put
# setgrubdevice so that grub device is correctly set.
default 0
timeout 2
setgrubdevice # This is compulsory
#sgdgfxmenu /boot/grub/message
foreground ffffff
background 0c00ff
color white/brown yellow/cyan
#title Inicio normal / Normal Boot
#kernel $(grub_device)/vmlinuz lang=es a11y=none root=/dev/ram0 ramdisk_size=100000 initrd=initramfs quiet BOOT=live splash
#initrd $(grub_device)/initramfs
#title Soporte de accesibilidad / Accesibility Support -->
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/grub/menu2.lst
title Super Grub Disk
# The two commands: setgrubdevice and usbshift are needed
# so that SGD works well.
usbshift
configfile $(grub_device)/boot/sgd/sgd.lst
#title Normal boot. Kernel is aware of Boot device
#kernel $(grub_device)/vmlinuz lang=es a11y=none root=/dev/ram0 ramdisk_size=100000 initrd=initramfs quiet BOOT=live splash boot_device=$(grub_device)
#initrd $(grub_device)/initramfs
#title Normal boot. Selecting kernel and initrd files depending on grub_device
#kernel $(grub_device)/vmlinuz_$(grub_device_string) lang=es a11y=none root=/dev/ram0 ramdisk_size=100000 initrd=initramfs quiet BOOT=live splash
#initrd $(grub_device)/initramfs_$(grub_device_string)
#title Selecthd test
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/grub/choose/selecthd.lst
#title findp test
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/grub/choose/selectpart.lst
#title set SGD variables and boot SGD
#
#configfile $(grub_device)/boot/sgd/menu.lst
=================== sdb1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
??GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
??GB: boot/grub/stage2
=========================== sdb5/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=(hd1,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548
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=(hd1,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548 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=(hd1,5)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548 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 "Mac OS X (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod hfsplus
set root=(hd0,2)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c0ef3056154540e0
insmod vbe
do_resume=0
if [ /var/vm/sleepimage -nt10 / ]; then
if xnu_resume /var/vm/sleepimage; then
do_resume=1
fi
fi
if [ $do_resume == 0 ]; then
xnu_uuid c0ef3056154540e0 uuid
if [ -f /Extra/DSDT.aml ]; then
acpi -e /Extra/DSDT.aml
fi
xnu_kernel /mach_kernel boot-uuid=${uuid} rd=*uuid
if [ /System/Library/Extensions.mkext -nt /System/Library/Extensions ]; then
xnu_mkext /System/Library/Extensions.mkext
else
xnu_kextdir /System/Library/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/Extensions.mkext ]; then
xnu_mkext /Extra/Extensions.mkext
fi
if [ -d /Extra/Extensions ]; then
xnu_kextdir /Extra/Extensions
fi
if [ -f /Extra/devtree.txt ]; then
xnu_devtree /Extra/devtree.txt
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.jpg ]; then
insmod jpeg
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.jpg
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.png ]; then
insmod png
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.png
fi
if [ -f /Extra/splash.tga ]; then
insmod tga
xnu_splash /Extra/splash.tga
fi
fi
}
### 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 ###
=============================== sdb5/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/sdb5 during installation
UUID=9c85ee03-c258-428a-b36a-a029d93ce548 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=055438a9-4ad4-4da2-adaf-7e3fa64a66d4 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
=================== sdb5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
3.0GB: boot/grub/core.img
3.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
1.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
3.1GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
1.5GB: initrd.img
3.1GB: vmlinuz
All of your kind help and patience is appreciated. Now, to that basil...