Dual boot failed - user needs reboot

[yuler]

My plan is to dual-boot Ubuntu 10.10 and XP, but I must have done something wrong when manually installing Ubuntu into pre-defined partitions made with Gparted. The Ubuntu text boot screen displays a few lines, then the system halts. No software reboot can occur.

I'd read that Windows is easiest installed first, and a dedicated boot partition was best to avoid OS lockout, so I created these partitions:

sda1 XP (2gb)
sda2 bootloader (11mb)
sda5 ubuntu
sda6 winapps
sda7 audio
sda8 general data
sda9 secure
sda10 unallocated

My plan was to put the Linux swap on sda9 for the moment, then point it to sdb1 (yet to be installed) after it's running.

During the Ubuntu install procedure, I chose sda2 as /boot - which I assumed is the bootloader and would auto detect XP on sda1. I'm not sure if I assumed right, as the bootloader shows Ubuntu and XP, but as already stated, Ubuntu fails after a few lines of boot text.

Using the LiveCD, my hope was to find a log file of the boot process to help debug, but I was unable to find one in /var/log. Rather than pester the forums for specific help, I trotted around to find clues. In the process, I discovered boot_info_script (http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/) and managed to run it. I was baffled to see Linux swap on sda6 AND sda11 (which I didn't think was assigned).

I also read that Ubuntu parts could be stored in several places. I'd like my (one user) data to be stored on sda8 (general data). I assume I missed that on the manual partition installation.

Is this easiest repaired or should I wipe the partitions and start over?

I'd love to repair it so I can learn how and why the Linux OS works. I've read the online Wiki, scoured the forums, read the PDF manual, but I'm either brain dense or there is information missing. Any one care to suggest a remedy, aside from a user reboot?



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 #2 for (,msdos2)/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: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /grub/grub.cfg /grub/core.img

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.10
Boot files/dirs: /etc/fstab

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda10: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda11: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 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 * 24,576 4,218,879 4,194,304 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 2,048 24,575 22,528 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 4,220,926 976,773,119 972,552,194 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 4,220,928 67,135,487 62,914,560 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 67,137,536 119,566,335 52,428,800 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 119,568,384 329,283,583 209,715,200 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda8 329,285,632 434,143,231 104,857,600 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda9 434,145,280 643,860,479 209,715,200 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda10 643,862,528 767,057,919 123,195,392 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda11 767,059,968 976,773,119 209,713,152 7 HPFS/NTFS


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda10 ef1abebf-8af9-4642-acc8-502286785770 swap
/dev/sda11 372BEC693358883C ntfs backup
/dev/sda1 A8D4B8BCD4B88E56 ntfs xp
/dev/sda2 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1 ext4 boot
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 22672a0a-841e-4f93-bb46-eecda829da30 ext4 ubuntu
/dev/sda6 6169D9721131CAB2 ntfs winapps
/dev/sda7 474FFAF25A21D641 ntfs audio
/dev/sda8 5AE3AB3457AE7051 ntfs general
/dev/sda9 77A0E81F12D7963B ntfs
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

aufs / aufs (rw)
/dev/sr0 /cdrom iso9660 (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)
/dev/sda9 /media/77A0E81F12D7963B fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096,default_ permissions)
/dev/sr0 /media/apt iso9660 (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 Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

============================= sda2/grub/grub.cfg: =============================

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 22672a0a-841e-4f93-bb46-eecda829da30
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
set locale_dir=($root)/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ "${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 2.6.35-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=/dev/sda5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux16 /memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux16 /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 part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a8d4b8bcd4b88e56
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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

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


.0GB: grub/core.img
.0GB: grub/grub.cfg
.0GB: vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic

=============================== 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 nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=22672a0a-841e-4f93-bb46-eecda829da30 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /boot was on /dev/sda2 during installation
UUID=9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1 /boot ext4 defaults 0 2
# swap was on /dev/sda10 during installation
UUID=ef1abebf-8af9-4642-acc8-502286785770 none swap sw 0 0

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


4.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic.new
=========================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc =======================

Unknown BootLoader on sda3

00000000 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 |................|
*
000001b0 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 00 bc |................|
000001c0 77 06 83 fe ff ff 02 00 00 00 00 00 c0 03 00 fe |w...............|
000001d0 ff ff 05 fe ff ff 95 00 c0 03 6d 07 20 03 00 00 |..........m. ...|
000001e0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
000001f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa |..............U.|
00000200

[Quackers]

That's a very complicated set up for a first try.
According to the boot script 2 of your Ubuntu boot files are in sda2, but the 3rd one (etc/fstab) is in sda5, which is designated as your Ubuntu root (/) partition. I don't know whether that can work or not. I haven't seen it done.
Did Windows boot? Not sure if it will now without fixing the mbr.
I would have one Windows partition and for Ubuntu a root (/) partition and a /home partition and try again. You could leave spaces in the partition table for the creation of other partitions later.
Also the Windows partition needs to be a primary partition whereas the Ubuntu partitions can be logical.
These are just my own views, you understand :-)

BTW welcome to Ubuntu :-)

[oldfred]

Please post result.txt in code tags (#), not quotes.

I do not recommend /boot partitions for standard desktops. Servers, RAID, LVM partitions may have need for a separate /boot.

Any grub2 reinstall instructions your find may not include the additional mount of the /boot. Some have a footnote saying you also have to mount the /boot partition when reinstalling grub2.

Your /boot is not complete and you seem to have part of it in your root?
Your are missing vmlinuz -xx and the two link files that refer to the most recent kernel & vmlinuz.

Did you use manual install? That is where you choose which partitions to use & what format. It autofinds swap. If you use any of the other installs it shrinks a partition and creates new / & swap. It does not give a option to mount the data partition(s), but you can do that afterwards.

I now see Quackers beat me to it. I tend to like to repair, but we sometimes spend days fixing things and a new install is only about an hour. So if you have no data to recover a new install may be best. Are partitions still set up the way you want. If not adjust before installing & use manual install.

[Quackers]

Forget what I said :-) Listen to oldfred. He has forgotten more about partitioning than I'll ever know!

[oldfred]

Thanks, but I only admit I have forgotten it all. Any help at this point is appreciated.

But a link to show manual install with some partitioning. I still like to use gparted in advance of the install. But I have also chosen the wrong partition when I installed a new drive. I had create a lot of partitions and put my install in my planned data partition. I had not copied data, so I just had to go back and relabel and tweak sizes. (I now keep manual notes on which partition is which, or hard copy printouts of fstab or blkid)

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Installing-Ubuntu-10-10-160966.shtml

[yuler]

Thanks for the replies. I'm familiar with partitioning, cluster size, and platter location strategies, so it was not a stretch to extend it to Linux. This was my intended partition strategy:

sda1 XP (2gb)
sda2 bootloader (11mb)
sda5 ubuntu
sda6 winapps
sda7 audio
sda8 general data
sda9 secure
sda10 unallocated
swap on sda9, until OS is running and sdb is installed.

The problem is that I'm unfamiliar with Linux's layout. After many failed attempts at loading Linux packages in the past (mostly due to using proprietary laptops), I figured it was time with Ubuntu v10.10 on a standard desktop.

I didn't choose an automated install because I wanted control over which partitions were assigned data, so I chose a manual install. The first step was installing XP on sda2.

My guess as to why the boot partition is split is because I thought boot partition meant bootloader, when it actually means OS boot files (kernel), so I put /boot on sda2 (MBR partition). Not knowing specificlly, I don't think 11mb is enough room for kernel files.

Since sda9 was 100gb and was to be a temporarily swap location, I assume the installer saw that as too much space and divided it, creating another partition (sda11).

Even though Ububtu failed, I decided to try XP from the GRUB menu per your request. It failed.

Figuring the pointers were wrong and assuming Ubuntu could fix it if I set the parameters right, I reinstalled Ubuntu using manual allcocation.

sda2: do not use
sda5: format as ext4, mount as /
bootloader: sda2

After restart, there was some boot text, the CD kicked out, and a screen full of errors:



squashFS error: unable to read fragment cache entry e40156
squashFS error: unable to read page, block e40156a, size 1cfff
.
.
end request: I/O error, dev sr0m sector 533096
.
.
plymouth post-start process (32390) terminated with status 2
unexpectedly disconnected fron boot system daemon
.
.
plymouth post-start process (32390) terminated with status 1
end request
Not knowing what else to do, I pulled the CD out and reboot. The GRUB menu came up with Ubuntu and XP. XP failed to load. Reboot. Ubuntu, with more errors:



[0.544686] kernel panic - not syncing: VFS : unable to mount root FS on unknown block (0,0)
[0.544756] Pid: 1, comm: swapper not tainted 2.6.35-22-generic #33-Ubuntu
[0.544818] Call Trace:
[0.544882]
[<c05c6468>] ? printk+0x2d/0x35
[<c05c6468>] panic+...
[<c05c6468>] mount_block_root+...
[<c05c6468>] ? sys_mkmod+...
[<c05c6468>] mount_root+...
[<c05c6468>] prepare namespace+...
[<c05c6468>] sys_acces+...
[<c05c6468>] kernel_int+...
[<c05c6468>] ? kernel_init+...
[<c05c6468>] kernel_thread_helper+...
That's where it stopped, keyboard indicator lights blinking. No soft boot allowed. Had to hard reboot into the LiveCD, which is where I'm at now.

Apparently, I still don't understand Linux's layout. What options do I choose if I want:

bootloader on sda2 (11mb)
Ubuntu on sda5
swap on sda9

I found I could not set /home to NTFS, FAT, or FAT32, so I'll just have to accept it as sda5 (with the rest of the Ubuntu files) for now and change it later.

[wilee-nilee]

I would just say here since you are obviously experienced, loading the bootloader whether MS or grub or any to the HD mbr to boot is easy. The boot partition is not needed the regular mbr the first 512Mib of the HD is fine, you have heard inaccurate descriptions of dual booting problems cross distros.

As was mentioned you where missing files in the original script, and you have messed around so generally we ask to see another script if things are different.

If it was me I would reload the MS bootloader to the HD mbr to confirm XP runs, you know the drill I suspect, fixmbr from the XP install disc repair command line.

I would then just reinstall Ubuntu to the partition you want it in and let grub go to the mbr at the front of the disc. Get rid of the boot partition it is not needed.

[oldfred]

You may be mixing up /boot partition which is where the kernel & grub are and the boot loader which is installed in the MBR. BIOS only boots from the MBR. If you install the part of grub that goes into the MBR into a partition it is considered less reliable. Also if you install to a windows partition it corrupts windows as windows has to have the second part of its boot loader in the PBR or partition boot sector. Grub does not normally use the PBR.

[yuler]

Thanks again. I ran the script again and compared it with the old, but I'm not at the machine at the moment to paste it. However, I can tell you what I did in the interim:

1) Booted to XP CD, ran fixmbr. Reboot. No OS.
2) Booted to XP CD, ran fixboot. Reboot. No OS.
3) Booted to Hiren's Boot CD, ran GRUB2 entry:



title ³ Boot from Hard Drive - Windows XP (NTLDR) ³\n
find --set-root --ignore-floppies --ignore-cd /ntldr
map () (hd0)
map (hd0) ()
map --rehook
find --set-root --ignore-floppies --ignore-cd /ntldr
chainloader /ntldr
savedefault --wait=2
XP booted.

4) Booted into Ubuntu LiveCD. Compared sda2 (the boot partition) to sda5/boot (Ubuntu). The files are exactly the same (GRUB2, etc).

5) Booted to Hiren's Boot CD to launch the boot partition. Ran GRUB2 entry:


title Boot HDD 1 Partition 2\n
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
chainloader +1
That was intended for sda2 (boot partition). No OS.

I don't recall if I ran Hiren's Boot CD GRUB2 menu to launch sda5 (Ubuntu).

6) Ran Hiren's Boot CD > MBR utils > MBRwork to look at the MBR pointers.


Partition 0 (sda1) pointed to the CHS/LBA corrosponding to the XP partition.
Partition 1 (sda2) pointed to the CHS/LBA corrosponding to the boot partition (starting at sector 2048, I believe).
Partition 2 (sda5) pointed to the CHS/LBA corrosponding to the Ubuntu partition

Taking a cue from the UbuntuGuide Multiple OS Installation (http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Multiple_OS_Installation), my intention is to use the "boot partition" (sda2) as a master bootloader. I don't want the master bootloader inside the Ubuntu /boot folder, which is what I suspect the default setttings do. If I decide to wipe the Ubuntu partition, I won't be able to get into XP. Further, I may decide to have partitions for current and previous versions of Ubuntu, or try out other flavors of Ubuntu. In short, I want the boot path to look like:

MBR > boot partition with GRUB2 > branch to OS's, other options

[oldfred]

You can do what you what and I did have a dedicated grub partition with grub legacy. But If you do that you have to manually edit all grub stanzas. If you understand grub that is not impossible, but many versions want grub2 installed to a PBR so you can chainboot.

Grub2 has an osprober that is very good at finding other systems and setting up the boot stanza. Since grub2 I rarely use my grub partiiton. If I install another system, I decide which I want in charge and either update the MBR or not. When I reboot the system in charge I can run sudo update-grub and it finds the new system.

A boot stanza that boots a partition not the specific system. Ubuntu puts links in / that link to the newest kernel & initrd.

Ranch hand
Note that this does not define the kernel. It defines the partition. It boots the newest boatable kernel that it finds at that partition.

menuentry "Daily on sda13" {
set root=(hd0,13)
linux /vmlinuz root=/dev/sda13 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img
}

http://members.iinet.net/~herman546/p20/GRUB2%20Bash%20Commands.html#GRUB_to_a_Partition
grub-setup -v /dev/sda6
Attempting to install GRUB to a partition instead of the MBR. This is a BAD idea.
Embedding is not possible, GRUB can only be installed in this setup by using blocklists. However blocklists are UNRELIABLE and its use is discouraged.
error: If you really want blocklists, use --force

Herman on separate grub partition:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1320270
Grub partition slakkie
http://blog.opperschaap.net/2009/11/13/all-your-grub-are-belong-to-us/


Grub2 with chainboot examples
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?action=printpage;topic=3106368.0

[yuler]

Here is the boot script, generated after the last Ubuntu format/reinstall.



Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda

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: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 12880720 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /grub/grub.cfg /grub/core.img

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.10
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda10: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda11: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 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 * 24,576 4,218,879 4,194,304 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 2,048 24,575 22,528 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 4,220,926 976,773,119 972,552,194 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 4,220,928 67,135,487 62,914,560 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 67,137,536 119,566,335 52,428,800 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 119,568,384 329,283,583 209,715,200 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda8 329,285,632 434,143,231 104,857,600 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda9 434,145,280 643,860,479 209,715,200 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda10 643,862,528 767,057,919 123,195,392 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda11 767,059,968 976,773,119 209,713,152 7 HPFS/NTFS


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda10 ef1abebf-8af9-4642-acc8-502286785770 swap
/dev/sda11 372BEC693358883C ntfs backup
/dev/sda1 A8D4B8BCD4B88E56 ntfs xp
/dev/sda2 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1 ext4 boot
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 ext4 ubuntu
/dev/sda6 6169D9721131CAB2 ntfs winapps
/dev/sda7 474FFAF25A21D641 ntfs audio
/dev/sda8 5AE3AB3457AE7051 ntfs general
/dev/sda9 77A0E81F12D7963B ntfs secure
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

aufs / aufs (rw)
/dev/sr0 /cdrom iso9660 (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)


================================ 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/grub.cfg: =============================

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 22672a0a-841e-4f93-bb46-eecda829da30
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
set locale_dir=($root)/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ "${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 2.6.35-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=/dev/sda5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux16 /memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux16 /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 part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a8d4b8bcd4b88e56
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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

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


.0GB: grub/core.img
.0GB: grub/grub.cfg
.0GB: vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic

=========================== sda5/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
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 2.6.35-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
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 part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a8d4b8bcd4b88e56
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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_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 nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda10 during installation
UUID=ef1abebf-8af9-4642-acc8-502286785770 none swap sw 0 0

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


6.5GB: boot/grub/core.img
30.2GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
13.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
2.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic
13.5GB: initrd.img
2.5GB: vmlinuz
=========================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc =======================

Unknown BootLoader on sda3

00000000 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 |................|
*
000001b0 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 00 bc |................|
000001c0 77 06 83 fe ff ff 02 00 00 00 00 00 c0 03 00 fe |w...............|
000001d0 ff ff 05 fe ff ff 95 00 c0 03 6d 07 20 03 00 00 |..........m. ...|
000001e0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
000001f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa |..............U.|
00000200

[yuler]

Attempting to install GRUB to a partition instead of the MBR. This is a BAD idea.


Earlier, I said I wanted to make a "boot" partition, but I may have obscured my intention by using improper vernacular. Boot partitions, from my understanding, are for Linux kernels. This is NOT what I meant. I want a GRUB2 partition that is handed control from the MBR. In this GRUB2 partition, I want to launch the OS's.

Still learning the Linux layout and lingo...

[efflandt]

One thing nobody seems to have mentioned yet is that your partition order is mixed up. sda1 is "after" sda2. I do not know if that causes boot issues, but many people who have problems seem to have mixed up partitions.

But if you leave things like they are for now, grub2 is currently on sda2, so try running gparted and mark /dev/sda2 as the boot partition. Ignore the "core.img can not be found at this location." (boot info script always says that when grub is on a partition). Then the standard Windows mbr should boot grub on sda2. But if that does not work your may need to run grub-install on /dev/sda2 but mount /dev/sda5 somewhere to point to for the rest of grub files so it boots /dev/sda5. I don't know if grub would work simply installed to sda5 because I don't know if the Windows mbr can boot a logical partition.

if that boots Ubuntu, then run sudo update-grub, see if that comes up with errors, or if you are then able to boot Ubuntu and Windows.

[yuler]

One thing nobody seems to have mentioned yet is that your partition order is mixed up. sda1 is "after" sda2. I do not know if that causes boot issues, but many people who have problems seem to have mixed up partitions.

Thank you, efflandt.

The hard drive was originally partitioned for XP in a primary partition (sda1), and with the remaining partitions as logical. It was only afterward that I realized I wanted a grub/boot partition, so I shrunk sda1 by 11mb, made a primary partition from it, which moved the XP sda1 to sda2 and the grub/boot 11mb as sda2.


But if you leave things like they are for now, grub2 is currently on sda2, so try running gparted and mark /dev/sda2 as the boot partition.

When I go to system > admin > disk util > hard drive > sda2 and mark it as bootable, the busy circle sits there. Since it was unmounted, I tried to mount it, but it said it was busy. Although there is likely a way to end the process, I do not know how to do that. Should I just reboot into the LiveCD again and mount it first before marking it bootable? Or is there something else going on?

[oldfred]

Besides Disk Utility, you can use gparted, right click on partition & manage flags, Disk Utility, or command line:
set boot flag on for sda2 (off on others)
sudo sfdisk -A2 /dev/sda
OR:
#make a partition active ("makeactive" in grub legacy)
parttool (hd0,4) boot+

#remove active flag from a partition
parttool (hd0,3) boot-

Partition editing is best from liveCD but I have changed boot flags from working systems, just not sure if partition was mounted or not. Not mounted is always better, & that is why liveCD works better.

If you have proven your windows boots ok, then I would still install grub2 to the MBR and sda2, then you can manually create your grub.cfg with windows and Ubuntu boot stanzas.

After installing grub2 to sda2 & the MBR this should work as your grub.cfg. Double check that I have your correct UUID for windows.


menuentry "Windows NT/2000/XP (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod ntfs
set root=(hd0,1)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set A8D4B8BCD4B88E56
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}


menuentry "Ubuntu on sda5" {
set root=(hd0,5)
linux /vmlinuz root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img


menuentry "Reboot" {
reboot
}

[yuler]

Besides Disk Utility, you can use gparted, right click on partition & manage flags, Disk Utility, or command line:
set boot flag on for sda2 (off on others)
sudo sfdisk -A2 /dev/sda


Upon scouring the forums, I realized I could use Gparted and successfully changed the boot flag. However, reboot resulted in the "No OS" error, so I booted back to LiveCD, loaded Gparted, and changed it back. Over time, I'll become more familiar with the CLI commands.

Incidentally, there was a crash report available after attempting to change the boot flag with system > admin > disk util, but it could not load. I suspect it timed out, but I'll never know.

I'll try to reinstall grub2 to sda2 per your instructions and report back with results. Thanks for being patient.

[yuler]

If you have proven your windows boots ok, then I would still install grub2 to the MBR and sda2Yes, the XP partition (sda1) can be booted with the right grub2 settings, which was launched from Hiren's Boot CD. It had a GRUB2 entry to boot NTLDR.

I tried this:

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ grub-setup -v sda2and got this:

grub-setup: info: cannot open `/boot/grub/device.map'.
Invalid device `sda2'.
Try `grub-setup --help' for more information.So I tried:

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ grub-setup --helpand noticed this:

Usage: grub-setup [OPTION]... DEVICE
Set up images to boot from DEVICE.
DEVICE must be a GRUB device (e.g. `(hd0,1)').
You should not normally run grub-setup directly. Use grub-install instead.So I did:

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ grub-install -v sda2.and got this:

grub-install (GRUB) 1.98+20100804-5ubuntu3.I didn't notice any change in the files or flags on sda2. Did I do that correctly?

[oldfred]

Grub does not use the boot flag. Windows does. About the only way to see what is installed in MBR or partition boot sectors is to run the boot info script.

[yuler]

Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda

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: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 12880720 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /grub/grub.cfg /grub/core.img

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.10
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda10: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda11: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 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 * 24,576 4,218,879 4,194,304 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 2,048 24,575 22,528 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 4,220,926 976,773,119 972,552,194 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 4,220,928 67,135,487 62,914,560 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 67,137,536 119,566,335 52,428,800 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 119,568,384 329,283,583 209,715,200 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda8 329,285,632 434,143,231 104,857,600 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda9 434,145,280 643,860,479 209,715,200 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda10 643,862,528 767,057,919 123,195,392 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda11 767,059,968 976,773,119 209,713,152 7 HPFS/NTFS


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda10 ef1abebf-8af9-4642-acc8-502286785770 swap
/dev/sda11 372BEC693358883C ntfs backup
/dev/sda1 A8D4B8BCD4B88E56 ntfs xp
/dev/sda2 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1 ext4 boot
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 ext4 ubuntu
/dev/sda6 6169D9721131CAB2 ntfs winapps
/dev/sda7 474FFAF25A21D641 ntfs audio
/dev/sda8 5AE3AB3457AE7051 ntfs general
/dev/sda9 77A0E81F12D7963B ntfs secure
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

aufs / aufs (rw)
/dev/sr0 /cdrom iso9660 (ro,noatime)
/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)
/dev/sda2 /media/boot ext4 (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks)
/dev/sda5 /media/ubuntu ext4 (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks)


================================ 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/grub.cfg: =============================

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 22672a0a-841e-4f93-bb46-eecda829da30
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
set locale_dir=($root)/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ "${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 2.6.35-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=/dev/sda5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux16 /memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9dd2845c-04c4-43df-a99f-088edf6bc2c1
linux16 /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 part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a8d4b8bcd4b88e56
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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

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


.0GB: grub/core.img
.0GB: grub/grub.cfg
.0GB: vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic

=========================== sda5/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
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 2.6.35-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
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 part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a8d4b8bcd4b88e56
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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_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 nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda10 during installation
UUID=ef1abebf-8af9-4642-acc8-502286785770 none swap sw 0 0

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


6.5GB: boot/grub/core.img
30.2GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
13.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
2.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic
13.5GB: initrd.img
2.5GB: vmlinuz
=========================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc =======================

Unknown BootLoader on sda3

00000000 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 |................|
*
000001b0 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 f6 00 bc |................|
000001c0 77 06 83 fe ff ff 02 00 00 00 00 00 c0 03 00 fe |w...............|
000001d0 ff ff 05 fe ff ff 95 00 c0 03 6d 07 20 03 00 00 |..........m. ...|
000001e0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
000001f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa |..............U.|
00000200


Unless I am seeing this wrong, it appears I did not install GRUB2 into the MBR.


=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda

That means grub-install -v sda2 did not work, so I tried:



ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo grub-install sda
/usr/sbin/grub-probe: error: cannot find a device for /boot/grub (is /dev mounted?).


OK, so I can't install into sda. What do I type to install grub2 into the MBR?

[wkhasintha]

You may be mixing up /boot partition which is where the kernel & grub are and the boot loader which is installed in the MBR. BIOS only boots from the MBR. If you install the part of grub that goes into the MBR into a partition it is considered less reliable. Also if you install to a windows partition it corrupts windows as windows has to have the second part of its boot loader in the PBR or partition boot sector. Grub does not normally use the PBR.

[yuler]

You may be mixing up /boot partition which is where the kernel & grub are and the boot loader which is installed in the MBR. BIOS only boots from the MBR. If you install the part of grub that goes into the MBR into a partition it is considered less reliable. Also if you install to a windows partition it corrupts windows as windows has to have the second part of its boot loader in the PBR or partition boot sector. Grub does not normally use the PBR.

I realise you are quoting Oldfred, but unfortunately, it does not help me understand what exactly I must do to install GRUB2 into the MBR.

[yuler]

From Herman's Illustrated MBR page, (http://members.iinet.net.au/%7Eherman546/p6.html) I've dumped the MBR to console.



ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo dd if=/dev/sda count=1 | hexdump -C

00000000 33 c0 8e d0 bc 00 7c fb 50 07 50 1f fc be 1b 7c |3.....|.P.P....||
00000010 bf 1b 06 50 57 b9 e5 01 f3 a4 cb bd be 07 b1 04 |...PW...........|
00000020 38 6e 00 7c 09 75 13 83 c5 10 e2 f4 cd 18 8b f5 |8n.|.u..........|
00000030 83 c6 10 49 74 19 38 2c 74 f6 a0 b5 07 b4 07 8b |...It.8,t.......|
00000040 f0 ac 3c 00 74 fc bb 07 00 b4 0e cd 10 eb f2 88 |..<.t...........|
00000050 4e 10 e8 46 00 73 2a fe 46 10 80 7e 04 0b 74 0b |N..F.s*.F..~..t.|
00000060 80 7e 04 0c 74 05 a0 b6 07 75 d2 80 46 02 06 83 |.~..t....u..F...|
00000070 46 08 06 83 56 0a 00 e8 21 00 73 05 a0 b6 07 eb |F...V...!.s.....|
00000080 bc 81 3e fe 7d 55 aa 74 0b 80 7e 10 00 74 c8 a0 |..>.}U.t..~..t..|
00000090 b7 07 eb a9 8b fc 1e 57 8b f5 cb bf 05 00 8a 56 |.......W.......V|
000000a0 00 b4 08 cd 13 72 23 8a c1 24 3f 98 8a de 8a fc |.....r#..$?.....|
000000b0 43 f7 e3 8b d1 86 d6 b1 06 d2 ee 42 f7 e2 39 56 |C..........B..9V|
000000c0 0a 77 23 72 05 39 46 08 73 1c b8 01 02 bb 00 7c |.w#r.9F.s......||
000000d0 8b 4e 02 8b 56 00 cd 13 73 51 4f 74 4e 32 e4 8a |.N..V...sQOtN2..|
000000e0 56 00 cd 13 eb e4 8a 56 00 60 bb aa 55 b4 41 cd |V......V.`..U.A.|
000000f0 13 72 36 81 fb 55 aa 75 30 f6 c1 01 74 2b 61 60 |.r6..U.u0...t+a`|
00000100 6a 00 6a 00 ff 76 0a ff 76 08 6a 00 68 00 7c 6a |j.j..v..v.j.h.|j|
00000110 01 6a 10 b4 42 8b f4 cd 13 61 61 73 0e 4f 74 0b |.j..B....aas.Ot.|
00000120 32 e4 8a 56 00 cd 13 eb d6 61 f9 c3 49 6e 76 61 |2..V.....a..Inva|
00000130 6c 69 64 20 70 61 72 74 69 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 61 |lid partition ta|
00000140 62 6c 65 00 45 72 72 6f 72 20 6c 6f 61 64 69 6e |ble.Error loadin|
00000150 67 20 6f 70 65 72 61 74 69 6e 67 20 73 79 73 74 |g operating syst|
00000160 65 6d 00 4d 69 73 73 69 6e 67 20 6f 70 65 72 61 |em.Missing opera|
00000170 74 69 6e 67 20 73 79 73 74 65 6d 00 00 00 00 00 |ting system.....|
00000180 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
*
000001b0 00 00 00 00 00 2c 44 63 8d f5 8d f5 00 00 80 87 |.....,Dc........|
000001c0 07 01 07 9c 56 06 00 60 00 00 00 00 40 00 00 20 |....V..`....@.. |
000001d0 21 00 83 87 06 01 00 08 00 00 00 58 00 00 00 bc |!..........X....|
000001e0 75 06 05 fe ff ff fe 67 40 00 02 f8 f7 39 00 00 |u......g@....9..|
000001f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa |..............U.|
00000200
1+0 records in
1+0 records out
512 bytes (512 B) copied, 0.00075281 s, 680 kB/s




Boot Loader Code Area
The MBR consists of 512 bytes of data, and the first 446 bytes of the MBR, (the lines between 00000000 and 000001b0) that look like this, 'eb 63 90 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00', may contain code for the bootloader if you have one installed. This code is essentially for pointing the BIOS to some other location in a hard disk where it should find more code for a boot loader. If no boot loader has code written in this area, it can be empty or contain garbage. If there is no bootloader code in the MBR, the BIOS will go to boot sector of the active partition, (whichever partition is marked with the 'boot flag' in the partition table).

Looking at the lines between 00000000 and 000001b0), in particular 00000120-00000170, it appears there is no boot loader code.



00000120 32 e4 8a 56 00 cd 13 eb d6 61 f9 c3 49 6e 76 61 |2..V.....a..Inva|
00000130 6c 69 64 20 70 61 72 74 69 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 61 |lid partition ta|
00000140 62 6c 65 00 45 72 72 6f 72 20 6c 6f 61 64 69 6e |ble.Error loadin|
00000150 67 20 6f 70 65 72 61 74 69 6e 67 20 73 79 73 74 |g operating syst|
00000160 65 6d 00 4d 69 73 73 69 6e 67 20 6f 70 65 72 61 |em.Missing opera|
00000170 74 69 6e 67 20 73 79 73 74 65 6d 00 00 00 00 00 |ting system.....|


So, the final question is - how to I install GRUB2 into the MBR?

[wilee-nilee]

n

[oldfred]

You cannot just say to install grub unless you are already booted in Ubuntu as it has to know which partition grub is in. If booted it knows, but when using liveCD you have to mount the partition with grub so it can use that. I have grub in several partitions so I have to be specific.

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

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2#Reinstalling%20from%20LiveCD

Install MBR from LiveCD, Ubuntu install on sda5 and want grub2 in drive sda's MBR:
Find linux partition, change sda5 if not correct, and/or even sda if sdb wanted:
sudo fdisk -l
sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda
If that returns any errors run:
sudo grub-install --recheck --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda

If you are using a boot partition in sda2 you also have to mount it. But now your install in sda5 looks complete?

If separate /boot
$ sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
$ sudo mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/boot
$ grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda

[wkhasintha]

I realise you are quoting Oldfred, but unfortunately, it does not help me understand what exactly I must do to install GRUB2 into the MBR.

sorry bro. I have know idea

[yuler]

Install MBR from LiveCD, Ubuntu install on sda5 and want grub2 in drive sda's MBR:
Find linux partition, change sda5 if not correct, and/or even sda if sdb wanted:
sudo fdisk -l
sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda
If that returns any errors run:
sudo grub-install --recheck --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda


Hallelujah! It actually booted from the hard drive. Thank you!

I am able to continue into Ubuntu from sda5, but I'm wondering - do I not want the MBR to pass control to sda2/boot/grub? Having grub2 on a separate partition from the OS (XP/sda1, Ubu/sda5) was the reason for creating sda2.

Also noticed I cannot boot to XP from the grub2 menu. However, sad5/boot/grub/grub.cfg is different than your suggested settings. I thought I'd cut-n-paste, but accessing it through gedit doesn't work (read-only). I suspect the boot folder itself is root only. I'll comb over the provided Windows boot links to see if I can get figure out how to edit it.



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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
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 2.6.35-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 9c828ded-432e-4028-b090-0659ac21aa19
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 part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a8d4b8bcd4b88e56
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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

[oldfred]

You are not using the grub partition to boot. I stopped using a separate grub partition once I learned how well grub2 works.

You do not edit grub.cfg in Ubuntu. If you have a grub.cfg in a grub partition or on a USB flash drive then you can only manual edit it as the automatic edits do not work. Then you have to know exactly what boot stanza to add.

If you want custom configurations in Ubuntu's grub.cfg you can use 40_custom.

How to: Create a Customized GRUB2 Screen that is Maintenance Free.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1542338

OR Partial Custom menu:
I used drs305's command to limit ubuntu entries to two, turned off os_prober so it does not look for other systems and totally customized my 40_custom.
includes line to limit display to two, also hiding of windows recovery partition
Grub 2 Title Tweaks Thread -drs305
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1287602
In /etc/default/grub I added this:
gksudo gedit /etc/default/grub
GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=true
or
sudo chmod a-x /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober

One way to fix the descriptions is to move the windows entries to 40_custom and edit at will.

I used drs305's command to limit ubuntu entries to two, turned off os_prober so it does not look for other systems and totally customized my 40_custom.
Copy the windows entries from this:
gedit /boot/grub/grub.cfg
Copy them to and edit :
gksudo gedit /etc/grub.d/40_custom

Does grub transfer boot to windows and it is a windows boot issue? All grub does is jump to the partition boot sector of the windows partition to boot windows. This is all the windows boot loader in the MBR does, so if windows is not booting, it is usually a windows issue not a grub issue.