Unable to boot 10.4, getting grub rescue

[kgorton]

as previously directed to by drs305 I have done the following.


Boot from a recent LiveCD and mount sda6 on /mnt:
Code:
sudo mount /dev/sda6 /mnt
Then install grub to the MBR, and place the files in sda6 with the following command. Note that you do not designate the partition in the command, which will ensure Grub2 is installed in the MBR. The configuration files will be placed in /boot/grub of sda6 since that is the partition that is mounted:
Code:
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda

and I still have an issue, when I boot it shows me



Error: file not found
grub rescue>


I am wondering if I have a corrupt file in my /boot directory on sda6 at this point. please assist. Thanks


Here is a copy of my results from bootinfo script.



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 #6 for /mnt/boot/grub.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: Grub
Boot sector info: Grub 0.97 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 102674792 of the same hard drive for
the stage2 file. A stage2 file is at this location on
/dev/sda. Stage2 looks on partition #2 for
/grub/menu.lst.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /grub/menu.lst

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 * 63 102,398,309 102,398,247 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 102,398,310 102,687,479 289,170 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 102,687,480 1,953,520,064 1,850,832,585 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 102,687,543 395,648,819 292,961,277 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 395,648,883 424,951,379 29,302,497 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 976,960,908 1,953,520,064 976,559,157 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 957,425,868 976,960,844 19,534,977 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda9 424,951,443 620,269,649 195,318,207 83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/loop1 squashfs
/dev/loop2 squashfs
/dev/sda1 C664997964996D45 ntfs
/dev/sda2 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0 ext3
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 e2516c08-9ddf-4a1f-8f8e-b5d19e7e2247 reiserfs
/dev/sda6 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ext4
/dev/sda7 198a592f-370e-4c62-a17e-f61b565e28f9 reiserfs
/dev/sda8 b8ddbab1-10cb-4779-8dbb-15a550c5be1e swap
/dev/sda9 72b72833-030a-414f-8bc4-ceaac1fc44b8 ext4
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/loop0 /lib/unionfs/usr squashfs (rw)
/dev/loop1 /lib/unionfs/firmware squashfs (rw)
/dev/loop2 /lib/unionfs/modules squashfs (rw)


================================ 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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

================================ 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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

============================= sda2/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 10

## 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=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0

## 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

## 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 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1


=================== sda2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


52.5GB: grub/menu.lst
52.5GB: grub/stage2
52.4GB: initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
52.4GB: initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
52.4GB: vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
52.4GB: vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic

=========================== 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 $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 ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
set locale_dir=($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 2.6.32-23-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-23-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-22-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-22-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 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='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-20-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-20-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-20-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-19-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-19-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-19-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
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 c664997964996d45
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=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /home was on /dev/sda9 during installation
UUID=72b72833-030a-414f-8bc4-ceaac1fc44b8 /home ext4 defaults 0 2
# swap was on /dev/sda8 during installation
UUID=b8ddbab1-10cb-4779-8dbb-15a550c5be1e none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
/dev/sda7 /media/storage reiserfs defaults,rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0

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


204.1GB: boot/grub/core.img
204.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
202.9GB: boot/grub/stage2
215.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
215.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
204.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
213.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-22-generic
215.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
202.8GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic
215.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic
204.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic
216.9GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-22-generic
212.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic
215.0GB: initrd.img
213.0GB: initrd.img.old
212.7GB: vmlinuz
216.9GB: vmlinuz.old
=============================== StdErr Messages: ===============================

mdadm: No arrays found in config file or automatically


__________________

[efflandt]

What motherboard do you have? Maybe your BIOS cannot cope with the new default partition alignment. I had that problem (error: file not found) with an old HP a530n with Asus mobo from 2004. So you might need to remove your sda6 and use partman/alignment=cylinder kernel boot parameter when booting install CD or iso on USB.

What was amusing when that happened is that from grub rescue I could ls (hd0,2) and ls (hd0,2)/, but ls (hd0,2)/boot just showed a happy face ascii character and ls (hd0,2)/boot/grub said file not found.

Note that there is a gap between where sda5 ends and sda6 begins.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LucidLynx/ReleaseNotes#Partition%20alignment%20changes%20may %20break%20some%20systems

[Rubi1200]

The above post by efflandt makes a good point, but I actually don't think that is the problem.

I think what we have here is a syntax error.


sudo mount /dev/sda6 /mntThis looks okay.


sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sdaI think the problem is here. It is supposed to be, I am almost certain, this:


sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sdaNotice the slash after mnt

See here for confirmation:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2#Reinstalling%20GRUB%202

Try it again and see if it works and don't forget to run
sudo update-grub once you have rebooted.

[kgorton]

efflandt,
I too see your point, yet do not agree this is the issue since when i first upgraded to 10.4 my PC was booting fine. The issue only started occuring after the PC locked up in a suspend and I only had the option to turn it off directly. (which is why i was thinking it could be corrupt files. but i did run fsck on the drive and cleaned up a bunch of errors that occured. ) Although i will get back to you with the information still when I get home to doublecheck.

Rubi1200 - I will try the commands again with the extra '/'.

[kgorton]

I reran the commands and ran the update-grub still no luck having the same issue. I am thinking that I am going to have to do a reformat. possibly with the errors that were on the partition it is just ready nuke and pave.

her is another copy of my most recent results log just in case it is any different after, although at quick glance i don't see any issues.




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 #6 for /mnt/boot/grub.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: Grub
Boot sector info: Grub 0.97 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 102674792 of the same hard drive for
the stage2 file. A stage2 file is at this location on
/dev/sda. Stage2 looks on partition #2 for
/grub/menu.lst.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /grub/menu.lst

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 * 63 102,398,309 102,398,247 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 102,398,310 102,687,479 289,170 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 102,687,480 1,953,520,064 1,850,832,585 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 102,687,543 395,648,819 292,961,277 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 395,648,883 424,951,379 29,302,497 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 976,960,908 1,953,520,064 976,559,157 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 957,425,868 976,960,844 19,534,977 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda9 424,951,443 620,269,649 195,318,207 83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/loop1 squashfs
/dev/loop2 squashfs
/dev/sda1 C664997964996D45 ntfs
/dev/sda2 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0 ext3
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 e2516c08-9ddf-4a1f-8f8e-b5d19e7e2247 reiserfs
/dev/sda6 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ext4
/dev/sda7 198a592f-370e-4c62-a17e-f61b565e28f9 reiserfs
/dev/sda8 b8ddbab1-10cb-4779-8dbb-15a550c5be1e swap
/dev/sda9 72b72833-030a-414f-8bc4-ceaac1fc44b8 ext4
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/loop0 /lib/unionfs/usr squashfs (rw)
/dev/loop1 /lib/unionfs/firmware squashfs (rw)
/dev/loop2 /lib/unionfs/modules squashfs (rw)


================================ 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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

================================ 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" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

============================= sda2/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 10

## 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=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0

## 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

## 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 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-9-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic root=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=ab992d88-aa7d-4919-ad36-4b7bf059a1e0 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
uuid 97262b9f-67ed-4870-b79d-a8301bc535e0
kernel /memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1


=================== sda2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


52.5GB: grub/menu.lst
52.5GB: grub/stage2
52.4GB: initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
52.4GB: initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
52.4GB: vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
52.4GB: vmlinuz-2.6.27-9-generic

=========================== 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 $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 ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
set locale_dir=($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 2.6.32-23-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-23-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-22-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-22-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 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='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-20-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-20-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-20-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-19-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-19-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-19-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic root=UUID=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5
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 c664997964996d45
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=48570eb2-26f9-4a15-a6e7-25bfcaac83e5 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /home was on /dev/sda9 during installation
UUID=72b72833-030a-414f-8bc4-ceaac1fc44b8 /home ext4 defaults 0 2
# swap was on /dev/sda8 during installation
UUID=b8ddbab1-10cb-4779-8dbb-15a550c5be1e none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
/dev/sda7 /media/storage reiserfs defaults,rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0

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


204.0GB: boot/grub/core.img
204.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
202.9GB: boot/grub/stage2
215.8GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-19-generic
215.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
204.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
213.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-22-generic
215.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
202.8GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-19-generic
215.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic
204.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic
216.9GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-22-generic
212.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic
215.0GB: initrd.img
213.0GB: initrd.img.old
212.7GB: vmlinuz
216.9GB: vmlinuz.old
=============================== StdErr Messages: ===============================

mdadm: No arrays found in config file or automatically

[drs305]

=============================== StdErr Messages: ===============================

mdadm: No arrays found in config file or automatically


kgorton,

Do you have a RAID setup? Your RESULTS.txt looks completely normal except for the last entry. I know there have been issues with Grub 2 and RAID, and I know there were workarounds when a RAID setup was detected but not used.

I don't use RAID and so am pretty uninformed about it, but your problems may be due to a RAID setting (real or imagined by Grub) - even if you aren't using it. I've seen posts about this and how to remove it but couldn't find them with a quick search.

Someone familiar with this problem may answer, you could check the Launchpad bug reports, or do a more in-depth Google search if you think this might have something to do with your inablility to boot.

[kgorton]

drs,

no I do not have raid setup. I only have 1 single Terabyte Hard drive and i did not setup any raid on that.

[drs305]

Since you are getting the mdadm message, something is going on whereby Grub2 may be looking for a RAID setup.

As I mentioned, RAID is beyond my expertise but if:
a. I had time
b. had an unbootable system, and
c. wanted to experiment before accomplishing a full reinstall
this post (#18) may hold some promise:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=9237139#post9237139
Installing mdadm and letting it run may help clear things up.

[oldfred]

If you do not have RAID but the BIOS has or had a raid setting it may have written data on the drive.

Presence1960 on remove old raid setting from HD
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1325650
sudo dmraid -E -r /dev/sda
sudo dmraid -E -r /dev/sdb
Also check BIOS for raid settings
More discusion:
http://wwww.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=9274738#post9274738

I also see two sets of windows XP files in sda1. And This file in your grub
202.9GB: boot/grub/stage2
That stage2 is from old grub legacy and we have seen issues with old grub interfering with grub2. If the raid setting fix does not solve it we may need to totally uninstall grub & grub2 and cleanly reinstall grub2.

[Sticky_Bit]

I had this issue after upgrading from 9.10 to 10.04 this morning. Let me refer you to this post.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=24113&highlight=restore+grub

The OP solution worked for me. You basically go through the install routine without wiping any data and just re-install grub. I have 2 hdd's One with Win 7 64bit and one with Ubuntu 10.04 64bit in a dual-boot and everything works fine now. I'm wrinting you this from my 10.04 install while it is updating 224 packages....:p

UPDATE: Windows 7 boot loader was hosed, but Ubuntu boots fine

[alexshr]

I am exactly not sure whether this will work for you or not, but I found it somewhere in internet, while I was searching for some other solutions.

Anyway, here is the solution that I found.

If you just want to get your grub back, then you can simply use the Linux Live CD for the version of Linux you are using.

Follow the installation instructions as usual, when you come to the stage to install grub. Install it and then simply abort the installation, that will install the grub into the desired partition and you'll still be able to login to the system.

Sorry I don't remember the url for the link.

[kgorton]

I tried checking to see if raid was on the drive, and ran the command and came up with



dmraid -E -r /dev/sda
no raid disks and with names: "/dev/sda"


The bios settings appear to be disabled. I will double check. But I am inclined to think i do need to completely reinstall GRUB2. I know that grub is on sda2 this had not been an issue in the past but certainly i have no issue getting rid f it. also sda1 the windows partition that was there is actually no longer there it is simply an NTFS partition with my old "DOCUMENTS and SETTINGS" folder, so everything else has been deleted, just never cleaned up grub. Those both were there from when I had ubuntu 8.10 with a dual boot. but then I decieded to format and install. I just had chosen at that point when I installed 9.4 to keep /boot as part of / instead of using the 100mb sdb2 partition. All that to say at this point I have no issues cleaning those up (sda1, and sda2) and getting rid of them. But how do I go about uninstalling and reinstalling GRUB2. I have been looking for a solution like that since, as i stated earlier, this was booting fine in ubuntu 10.4 until a system crash. then it was no longet booting, even after checking/fixing the partition (through Gparted and e2fsck).

[oldfred]

Kansasnoob has combined the chroot into one line with &
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=8068512&postcount=10
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1470597

Once chrooted to uninstall grub & grub2 (grub-pc), change sda to sdb, sdc etc if grub wanted on MBR of different drive.

apt-get purge grub grub-pc grub-common
mv /boot/grub /boot/grub_backup
mkdir /boot/grub
apt-get install grub-pc grub-common
grub-install /dev/sda
grub-install --recheck /dev/sda
# possibly this also
dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc

[kgorton]

I appologize for the super late response in this reply. I have resolved the issue by chrooting into the correct drive and uninstalling and reinstalling grub. must have been a corrup file somewhere in there. Thanks All for your help.