grub rescue prompt

[dondiego3]

I just tried to upgrade to the latest release through the update manager. During the upgrade I told it to keep my old grub as I had issues the last time I upgraded. I dual boot XP and Ubuntu.

When it told me to restart the computer I did and it boots to the following:

error: the symbol grub_xputs not found.
grub rescue>

So I get a grub rescue prompt. What do I do now? I'm desperate for help as I need my computer!

I'm posting this with my sons mac book.

[drs305]

dondiego3,

Welcome to the Ubuntu forums!

The xputs command means that grub was not completely installed - parts of it are missing.

You can reinstall it via a LiveCD with chroot. Just running "grub-install /dev/sdXY" won't work. I wrote a guide on how to install via chroot:
HOWTO: Purge and Reinstall Grub 2 from the Live CD (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1581099)

If you continue to get a rescue prompt, you can also take a look at this link (make sure you read the "Have you tried..." which will take you to the above thread first).
Grub Rescue Prompt Megathread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1594052)

[dondiego3]

Thanks. I tried the install via an upgrade. I am downloading 10.10 right now and will make a CD and give your method a try.