GRUB Problem after 10.04 LTS upgrade to latest kernel

[cspaltro]

I've read through similar posts and solutions posted by bcbc, they look quite simple. However, I am having a very similar problem but I do not have a Wubi install. I'm running a dual boot system with WinXP on sda1 and Ubuntu 10.04LTS (kernel 2.6.32-26-generic) on sda5. After running the upgrade my grub is jacked. My system will not boot into either system and just gives me the grub-rescue> prompt. When I boot into the Ubuntu Live CD the system acts like /dev is not mounted but it clearly is because I can browse it using the "Places" window.

I noticed something odd when I ran grub-rescue>ls
(hd0) (hd0,msdos6) (hd0,msdos5) (hd0,msdos1)

In the past my drives were represented by hd0,5. I'm confused as to where this msdos5 came from and I can't find any posts about it.

My grub error reads
error: symbol not found: 'grub_putchar'.

I assume that my grub.cfg file is incorrect or one of the templates responsible for generating the cfg file. I try to re-install GRUB 2 but I can't access sda5 because the system thinks that I'm not mounted to it or it can't find it.

I'm a beginner but capable of interpreting the technical instructions... can anyone identify my problem or help me fix this. I'm also curious as to why this happens every time I upgrade my kernel... I've been through this before but can't seem to find the applicable code to fix what is wrong in the forum.

Thank you

[carl4926]

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

[sikander3786]

If you can't figure it out from the link posted above, please post the output of bootinfoscript as per instructions here.

http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net

It would tell us exactly about your boot setup and we'll be able to advise more efficiently.

Please wrap the output using proper code # tags from the post menu. [/code] at the end and [code] at the beginning.

Thanks.

[drs305]

I noticed something odd when I ran grub-rescue>ls
(hd0) (hd0,msdos6) (hd0,msdos5) (hd0,msdos1)

In the past my drives were represented by hd0,5. I'm confused as to where this msdos5 came from and I can't find any posts about it.


This is the new way Grub2 identifies partitions using the MS-DOS partition table. It's normal with recent versions of Grub2.

My guess is you are going to have to reinstall Grub2 by 'chrooting' into your Ubuntu partition from the LiveCD. We can wait for your RESULTS.txt, but the link I'd provide for the chroot procedure is in my signature line: G2-Chroot.

[garvinrick4]

Put in a live Cd (install cd and choose try ubuntu) get internet working and open a terminal and copy and paste these commands. They just get you into root (chroot) of sda5 with internet and fix dependencies, install grub in sda looking in sda5 for grub files, update and upgrade and then unmount sda5. Without internet connection you can install grub and update-grub just cannot update and upgrade:


sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt && sudo mount -o bind /dev /mnt/dev && sudo mount -o bind /dev/pts /mnt/dev/pts && sudo mount -o bind /sys /mnt/sys && sudo mount -o bind /proc /mnt/proc && sudo cp /etc/resolv.conf /mnt/etc/resolv.conf && sudo chroot /mnt
grub-install --recheck --root-directory=/media/mnt /dev/sda
dpkg --configure -a
update-grub
apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
exit
sudo umount /mnt/dev/pts && sudo umount /mnt/dev && sudo umount /mnt/proc && sudo umount /mnt/sys && sudo umount /mntNow shutdown and restart and boot into Ubuntu and:

sudo update-grub

[cspaltro]

garvinrick4... trying your instructions and ran into a problem.

I booted to a live CD, achieved internet connectivity, and opened a terminal windo. I successfully executed the first line of code. However the second line



grub-install --recheck --root-directory=/media/mnt /dev/sda


resulted in the following response:



mkdir: cannot create directory '/media/mnt/boot': No such file or directory


I double checked my entry and it is exactly as you posted.

This is getting very frustrating. Thank you everyone for your help... any ideas now?

[sikander3786]

garvinrick4... trying your instructions and ran into a problem.

I booted to a live CD, achieved internet connectivity, and opened a terminal windo. I successfully executed the first line of code. However the second line



grub-install --recheck --root-directory=/media/mnt /dev/sda


resulted in the following response:



mkdir: cannot create directory '/media/mnt/boot': No such file or directory


I double checked my entry and it is exactly as you posted.

This is getting very frustrating. Thank you everyone for your help... any ideas now?
Insteading of guessing your setup, I would still like to see the output of bootinfoscript as mentioned above.

Or if you don't want to post that, try this great tutorial here.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1581099

[cspaltro]

I'll grab it... just a few minutes... working on two computers here since my problem computer won't boot into anything.

[cspaltro]

Here are the results of my boot_info_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 #5 for (,msdos5)/boot/grub.
=> Syslinux is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb
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: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda5 and
looks at sector 41885285 of the same hard drive for
core.img, core.img is at this location on /dev/sda and
looks on partition #5 for /boot/grub.
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /grub/core.img
/boot/grub/core.img
sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Windows XP: Fat32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:
=========================== Drive/Partition Info: =============================
Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___
Disk /dev/sda: 60.0 GB, 60011642880 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 7296 cylinders, total 117210240 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 40,965,749 40,965,687 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 40,965,750 117,210,239 76,244,490 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 40,965,813 112,262,219 71,296,407 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 112,262,283 117,210,239 4,947,957 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___
Disk /dev/sdb: 8019 MB, 8019509248 bytes
102 heads, 38 sectors/track, 4041 cylinders, total 15663104 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Partition Boot Start End Size Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 2,192 15,663,103 15,660,912 b W95 FAT32

blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________
Device UUID TYPE LABEL
/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda1 3C743B27743AE376 ntfs
/dev/sda2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 ext4
/dev/sda6 851b4f52-7ae2-477f-ab1b-427e5e9ede23 swap
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 9CCE-F377 vfat PENDRIVE
/dev/sdb: 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/sda5 /mnt ext4 (rw)
/dev /mnt/dev none (rw,bind)
/dev/pts /mnt/dev/pts none (rw,bind)
/dev/sdb1 /media/PENDRIVE vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks,uid=999,gid=999,sh ortname=mixed,dmask=0077,utf8=1,showexec,flush)

================================ 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
=========================== sda5/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $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 ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=30
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 2.6.32-26-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic root=UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-26-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-26-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-26-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic root=UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-26-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-24-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-24-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-24-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.31-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 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='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.31-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925
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 3c743b27743ae376
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
=============================== sda5/etc/fstab: ===============================
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=ea114f50-e47c-4ef0-841e-bfddc26d7925 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=851b4f52-7ae2-477f-ab1b-427e5e9ede23 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
=================== sda5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================

21.2GB: boot/grub/core.img
22.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
28.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
30.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
31.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
32.9GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-26-generic
27.2GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic
30.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic
31.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic
29.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic
21.4GB: grub/core.img
32.9GB: initrd.img
31.6GB: initrd.img.old
29.5GB: vmlinuz
31.3GB: vmlinuz.old

[sikander3786]

The problems seems to lie here.


sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________
File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda5 and
looks at sector 41885285 of the same hard drive for
core.img, core.img is at this location on /dev/sda and
looks on partition #5 for /boot/grub.
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /grub/core.img
/boot/grub/core.img


Taking the chroot and purging and re-installing Grub would definitely fix the problem. And that is well explained in the thread I linked above. drs305's signature > G2-Chroot (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1581099).

[garvinrick4]

#I agree has grub/core.img in sda5. Should not be there.
Should have let sikander and drs305 see bootscript first.
#Seems like grub2 was installed in sda5 instead of sda previously
and does need to be purged from there and reinstalled in sda
#Needed a grub purge && install command in my code before the grub installed in sda
Would have known that if looked at bootscript first. I errored by not
looking at it first.
# I apoligize cspaltro should be no problem repairing your Grub:

#sda5: location of files loaded by Grub
21.2GB: boot/grub/core.img
22.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
28.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
30.7GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
31.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
32.9GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-26-generic
27.2GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic
30.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic
31.3GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic
29.5GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic
21.4GB: grub/core.img
32.9GB: initrd.img
31.6GB: initrd.img.old
29.5GB: vmlinuz
31.3GB: vmlinuz.old

[cspaltro]

That worked. I figured that I had to reinstall GRUB 2 but couldn't figure out how to get it installed on my "real" Ubuntu installation while booted into the LiveCD. Thank you very much for your help!

I am curious though... why does this happen every time I do a kernel upgrade? Do I have my GRUB 2 files installed in the wrong place or am I applying the updates incorrectly? I use the update manager in Ubuntu to automatically download and install updates and upgrades.

[oldfred]

I did not think grub2 remembered where to install. Did you by any chance install to sda5 on the original install?

enter thru the first couple of screens:
to get grub to remember where to reinstall on updates:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc
spacebar to choose/unchoose drive - sda, sdb etc, enter to accept, do not choose partitions like sda5, sdb1 etc.

[cspaltro]

I did not think grub2 remembered where to install. Did you by any chance install to sda5 on the original install?

enter thru the first couple of screens:
to get grub to remember where to reinstall on updates:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc
spacebar to choose/unchoose drive - sda, sdb etc, enter to accept, do not choose partitions like sda5, sdb1 etc.

I may have installed to sda5, I don't remember. I know for a fact that I installed to sda this time. I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens on my next update.

[lalop]

Sorry for the bump, but could someone advise me on what is essentially the exact same problem? (Downgrading to 10.04 from natty.) My own boot_info_script gives:
Boot Info Script 0.60 from 17 May 2011


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

=> Grub2 (v1.99) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector 1 of
the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and looks
for (,msdos7)/grub on this drive.
=> Syslinux MBR (3.61-4.03) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb.

sda1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda2: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows Vista
Boot files: /bootmgr /Boot/BCD /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda3: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda6: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda7: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub2 (v1.97-1.98)
Boot sector info: Grub2 (v1.97-1.98) is installed in the boot sector of
sda7 and looks at sector 192545282 of the same hard
drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and
looks in partition 7 for /grub.
Operating System:
Boot files: /grub/grub.cfg /grub/core.img

sda8: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04.2 LTS
Boot files: /etc/fstab

sda9: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: SYSLINUX 4.02 debian-20101016 ...........>...r>..........V...0...~.k...~...f...M.f.f....f..8~....>2}
Boot sector info: Syslinux looks at sector 520 of /dev/sdb1 for its
second stage. SYSLINUX is installed in the directory.
No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files: /syslinux/syslinux.cfg /ldlinux.sys

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

Drive: sda __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sda: 320.1 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sda1 2,048 27,443,199 27,441,152 27 Hidden NTFS (Recovery Environment)
/dev/sda2 * 27,443,200 178,184,855 150,741,656 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sda3 178,193,104 625,141,759 446,948,656 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 566,548,480 625,141,759 58,593,280 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 178,193,106 192,522,959 14,329,854 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 192,524,288 192,815,103 290,816 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 530,708,480 566,548,479 35,840,000 83 Linux
/dev/sda9 192,817,152 530,706,431 337,889,280 83 Linux


Drive: sdb __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 2029 MB, 2029518848 bytes
129 heads, 32 sectors/track, 960 cylinders, total 3963904 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 32 3,963,903 3,963,872 6 FAT16


"blkid" output: __________________________________________________ ______________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/loop1 0d449045-bdbd-43da-ba19-e9076e0d1b85 ext3
/dev/sda1 02104AE8104AE1F1 ntfs Recovery
/dev/sda2 BC8EE3B28EE3637E ntfs
/dev/sda5 6dd391ab-6c42-4a66-965a-a3cb9bd48083 ext4
/dev/sda6 swap
/dev/sda7 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78 ext4
/dev/sda8 5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e ext4
/dev/sda9 916ca90f-d80a-46a3-9399-c8e2261ce4f6 ext4
/dev/sdb1 C2F8-E4F2 vfat

================================ Mount points: =================================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)
/dev/sdb1 /cdrom vfat (rw,relatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=cp437, iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)


============================= sda7/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 ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
set locale_dir=($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 2.6.38-8-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-8-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.38-8-generic ...'
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-28-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic root=UUID=5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.35-28-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-28-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-28-generic ...'
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic root=UUID=5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.35-28-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-28-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.32-28-generic root=UUID=5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.32-28-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-28-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-28-generic ...'
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.32-28-generic root=UUID=5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.32-28-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
linux16 /memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78
linux16 /memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 02104ae8104ae1f1
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set bc8ee3b28ee3637e
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 ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda7: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

91.812768936 = 98.583209984 grub/core.img 1
91.814949989 = 98.585551872 grub/grub.cfg 1
91.888618469 = 98.664652800 initrd.img-2.6.32-28-generic 1
91.934593201 = 98.714017792 initrd.img-2.6.35-28-generic 2
91.855981827 = 98.629609472 initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic 1
91.861443520 = 98.635473920 vmlinuz-2.6.32-28-generic 1
91.939592361 = 98.719385600 vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic 1
91.830386162 = 98.602126336 vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic 2

=============================== sda8/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/sda8 during installation
UUID=5fd16bf7-ba8c-4831-9b14-e79e99d7ea1e / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /boot was on /dev/sda7 during installation
UUID=31ae9413-fe3c-441b-a38c-3ac50a22cc78 /boot ext4 defaults 0 2
# /home was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=6dd391ab-6c42-4a66-965a-a3cb9bd48083 /home ext4 defaults 0 2
# /random was on /dev/sda9 during installation
UUID=916ca90f-d80a-46a3-9399-c8e2261ce4f6 /random ext4 defaults 0 2
/dev/sda6 none swap sw 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

========================= sdb1/syslinux/syslinux.cfg: ==========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
include menu.cfg
default vesamenu.c32
prompt 0
timeout 50
gfxboot bootlogo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

================= sdb1: Location of files loaded by Syslinux: ==================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

?? = ?? ldlinux.sys 1
?? = ?? syslinux/syslinux.cfg 1
?? = ?? syslinux/vesamenu.c32 1

============== sdb1: Version of COM32(R) files used by Syslinux: ===============

syslinux/vesamenu.c32 : COM32R module (v3.xx)

======================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc: ========================

Unknown BootLoader on sda3

00000000 e2 ab 4d b3 03 1e 67 90 14 e1 c4 01 6c e7 09 6f |..M...g.....l..o|
00000010 02 d8 57 ef 2d f8 79 f3 78 ce 99 f6 5f 92 41 bd |..W.-.y.x..._.A.|
00000020 5d 9e 22 9a de 7b f3 32 4f 2f 2e 5b c9 bb fd f4 |]."..{.2O/.[....|
00000030 f2 ad 17 df 9c e4 08 c9 6a 3c 65 71 90 20 fc 54 |........j<eq. .T|
00000040 7b 53 cb 30 54 22 82 98 f8 de 88 12 81 2a 20 8d |{S.0T".......* .|
00000050 59 77 24 df d4 8d 5e b6 c9 d0 23 26 cf ba 02 6a |Yw$...^...#&...j|
00000060 e7 3e 8d f8 d0 3b 19 c8 67 bf 15 3e 9f d7 48 d3 |.>...;..g..>..H.|
00000070 db 01 7e 25 47 b0 02 bd 5c c4 5a f3 4b 50 72 48 |..~%G...\.Z.KPrH|
00000080 42 e2 b2 cf d1 93 e8 da 6c 15 e1 30 3a 27 1f df |B.......l..0:'..|
00000090 e8 62 76 7f 9b 94 ce 64 80 44 ca 67 0b ad f5 fc |.bv....d.D.g....|
000000a0 58 a3 78 a1 27 fa 3d 7b b9 ce fa de 47 46 cc b7 |X.x.'.={....GF..|
000000b0 4c 65 41 29 36 b8 a5 ae 90 50 9f ff 92 67 11 1a |LeA)6....P...g..|
000000c0 73 cc f2 4f 35 0c af f7 57 64 1c 40 70 4e 99 99 |s..O5...Wd.@pN..|
000000d0 e5 f9 87 77 8b 65 a3 93 06 bd dd a1 ae 44 6c ee |...w.e.......Dl.|
000000e0 76 7f 5e 0e c4 d2 e8 d9 d4 31 84 95 e6 41 ed 9d |v.^......1...A..|
000000f0 5b 3d ab c9 d8 3e 8e c9 97 b6 25 f6 c4 b4 b7 55 |[=...>....%....U|
00000100 4d 3f b3 bc ed c8 68 7f 2f 78 03 e6 4e c6 cc 17 |M?....h./x..N...|
00000110 df f5 9d 3c 3f 06 a0 77 55 dd 98 0e 29 4c a2 f0 |...<?..wU...)L..|
00000120 48 44 eb ff 25 57 cb 33 33 a3 d2 ed 29 00 48 c8 |HD..%W.33...).H.|
00000130 61 dc e9 18 57 8b 8b 24 ee 04 ed 3e 22 c6 d1 63 |a...W..$...>"..c|
00000140 4d 05 a4 57 9a 76 b3 6b df 07 fd d6 a4 bd cc ae |M..W.v.k........|
00000150 f8 25 54 83 14 08 1e 03 01 5f 49 4f 90 00 dd c1 |.%T......_IO....|
00000160 94 5e 7a 09 78 f4 07 ac 69 cc e7 07 24 0e ae 99 |.^z.x...i...$...|
00000170 f7 60 8d 06 86 16 24 14 2c 5c ca d7 f6 ff 93 ba |.`....$.,\......|
00000180 6b 73 df 28 48 7c ff 5d f8 a5 da 7f 6d 2c 04 81 |ks.(H|.]....m,..|
00000190 f1 0a 65 e0 a4 14 b8 7e 61 c9 30 5b e7 fc e9 ce |..e....~a.0[....|
000001a0 ef 37 5d a6 2c ca 7d e5 77 2a 41 7c 9b 65 18 68 |.7].,.}.w*A|.e.h|
000001b0 53 df cb c7 8f 1c ba f8 c6 08 c9 0f 30 dc 00 fe |S...........0...|
000001c0 ff ff 83 fe ff ff 30 d5 25 17 00 10 7e 03 00 fe |......0.%...~...|
000001d0 ff ff 05 fe ff ff 01 00 00 00 ff a7 da 00 00 00 |................|
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


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

unlzma: Decoder error
As a (probably) related question, I made a /boot directory about 2 installations ago: it is sda7 above. I can't remember what I did that installation, but the next time, when I installing natty, I installed grub into sda, but it came up with a similar boot error and I recall I had to chroot into sda7 [if this makes no sense, then I'm remembering wrong and it was sda8, the / directory] to fix it. This is why, this time, I told the installer to install grub into sda7 (and probably also why there are two grubs in the above code). Was this a mistake, and what should I have done?

[drs305]

lalop,

Do you want a separate /boot partition now (sda7) or not? And just confirm you want Lucid and not Natty, and that Lucid installed completely (other than the bootloader)? Depending on your answers we can help you sort things out.

[lalop]

lalop,

Do you want a separate /boot partition now (sda7) or not? And just confirm you want Lucid and not Natty, and that Lucid installed completely (other than the bootloader)? Depending on your answers we can help you sort things out.

Sorry for the lateness of my reply; I've been working out the dare and have since fixed the issue by following the instructions linked in this thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1581099) for chrooting into sda and installing the bootloader there.

In general, though, I would still like to know where I should be installing the bootloader in future versions. (To answer, I did downgrade to lucid due to screen tearing in videos, and I do still want the /boot partition sda7.)

Thanks a lot!

[drs305]

In general, though, I would still like to know where I should be installing the bootloader in future versions. (To answer, I did downgrade to lucid due to screen tearing in videos, and I do still want the /boot partition sda7.)

Thanks a lot!

For future installations, if you want a /boot partition:
If you do an online upgrade, your current /boot partition will be mounted and everything should be done automatically. Any new Grub files should be placed in the correct location (whatever the partition is mounted as /boot).

If you do an installation from a CD, when you get to the partitioning screen you should designate the /boot partition (the same screen where you would designate / and /home). At the end of the installation if it asks where you want Grub installed you should designation the drive the installation is on. Don't specify a partition - the installer will know where the Grub files are located and really just wants to know if it should write to the drive MBR or to a partition's boot record.