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View Full Version : [ubuntu] Transfer GRUB from old external HDD to new one



kingsrook14
December 27th, 2010, 02:31 AM
Hello fellow ubuntu users and gurus,

I have a small issue. I would appreciate some help or pointers which will save somee time for me.
I have a laptop with dual boot Windowz 7 64 bit and Ubuntu 10.04 LTS 64 bit using windows MBR and EasyBCD. I have no issues booting into either.
I also have a 500 GB external HDD which has a NTFS partition for backup data and Linux root and swap partitions at the end. I have GRUB installed on the external HDD MBR and can boot into Ubuntu on the external HDD via bios options.
I recently bought a larger external HDD 1TB. Now so far I have made same partitions as old external HDD namely NTFS for bakup followed by Linux root and swap partitions. Linux partitions were cloned using disk cloning while on NTFS partition I only copied data.
MY QUESTION is HOW do I copy the GRUB from old external HDD to new one so that I can boot into my linux on the new external HDD ?
BTW the new HDD is Western Digital Passport Essential SE, which also has some factory installed image at the start of drive.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks a bunch for reading

presence1960
December 27th, 2010, 03:15 AM
You need to plug in the new external HD and install GRUB to the MBR of that new external HD. See here (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2#Reinstalling%20from%20LiveCD) Use the simplest method by Booting from the Ubuntu Live CD/USB.

If you need more detailed instructions or are unsure do this with the new external plugged in:

Let's get a better look at your setup & boot process. Boot the Ubuntu Live CD/USB. Choose "try ubuntu without any changes", when the desktop loads come back here and do the following:

1. Download the boot info script. There is a link in my signature.
2. Once downloaded move the boot info script to the desktop.
3. Open a terminal and run the command
sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh

This will create a RESULTS.txt file on the desktop. Paste the entire contents of that file back here. Once pasted highlight all text and click the # sign on the toolbar to place code tags around the text.

See here (http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/) for more info on the boot info script.

garvinrick4
December 27th, 2010, 03:58 AM
Drive has an mbr (master boot record) grub must be installed in: If you cloned a linux install
into a partition and it is a good install you must put grub into mbr and have it look
in that install for the boot files. Can be done with a few lines of code. You are better off
giving post #2 the bootscript only takes a few seconds to make sure you have viable boot
files in the cloned Operating System.

kingsrook14
December 27th, 2010, 07:32 AM
Below is the RESULTS.txt file


Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda
=> No boot loader 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/dirs: /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 7
Boot files/dirs: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows XP
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda5 starts
at sector 0. But according to the info from fdisk,
sda5 starts at sector 629356544.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: Grub
Boot sector info: Grub is installed in the boot sector of sda6 and looks
at sector 804540224 of the same hard drive for the
stage2 file, but no stage2 files can be found at this
location.
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab
/boot/grub/core.img

sda7: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda8: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Fat16
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda8 starts
at sector 146. But according to the info from fdisk,
sda8 starts at sector 859252736. According to the info
in the boot sector, sda8 has 0 sectors.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda9: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda9 starts
at sector 2048.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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:

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 9.04
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab

sdb6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

=========================== 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 * 63 208,844 208,782 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 208,901 629,354,495 629,145,595 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 629,354,496 976,768,064 347,413,569 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sda5 629,356,544 791,091,199 161,734,656 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6 791,093,249 850,720,767 59,627,519 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 850,722,138 859,252,589 8,530,452 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda8 859,252,736 859,314,175 61,440 4 FAT16 <32M
/dev/sda9 859,316,224 976,766,975 117,450,752 7 HPFS/NTFS


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 1000.2 GB, 1000170586112 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121597 cylinders, total 1953458176 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 7,616,512 1,892,012,031 1,884,395,520 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb2 1,892,012,032 1,953,456,127 61,444,096 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sdb5 1,892,014,080 1,949,544,447 57,530,368 83 Linux
/dev/sdb6 1,949,546,496 1,953,456,127 3,909,632 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 C42E74F62E74E33A ntfs System Reserved
/dev/sda2 229887D69887A6BF ntfs System
/dev/sda3: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda5 B0E24A234642384A ntfs UserData
/dev/sda6 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ext3
/dev/sda7 swap
/dev/sda8 C221-BB65 vfat HP_TOOLS
/dev/sda9 BC3012323011F45C ntfs RecoveryArea
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 08129CF6129CE9C8 ntfs WD_1TB
/dev/sdb2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb5 17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb ext3
/dev/sdb6 91e99862-cf2b-4809-bee0-695da84d7884 swap
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda6 / ext3 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sdb5 /media/17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb ext3 (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks)
/dev/sr0 /media/Ubuntu 9.04 i386 iso9660 (ro,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks,uid=1000,gid=1000, iocharset=utf8,mode=0400,dmode=0500)
/dev/sdb1 /media/WD_1TB fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096,default_ permissions)
/dev/sda2 /media/System fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096,default_ permissions)


=========================== sda6/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-legacy-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 3

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Chainload into GRUB 2
uuid 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
kernel /boot/grub/core.img

title ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
root

title When you have verified GRUB 2 works, you can use this command to
root

title complete the upgrade: upgrade-from-grub-legacy
root

title ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
root

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, kernel 2.6.35-kingsrook
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35 root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
quiet

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, kernel 2.6.35-kingsrook (recovery)
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35 root=/dev/sda5 ro single

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, kernel 2.6.34.2-candela
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34.2-candela root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
quiet

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, kernel 2.6.34.2-candela (recovery mode)
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34.2-candela root=/dev/sda5 ro single

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, kernel 2.6.32-24-generic
uuid 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, kernel 2.6.32-24-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, kernel 2.6.32-21-generic
uuid 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, kernel 2.6.32-21-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic

title Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS, memtest86+
uuid 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

=========================== sda6/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

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

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

function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
set locale_dir=($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-candela' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-candela root=/dev/sda6 ro quiet splash
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-candela (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-candela ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-candela root=/dev/sda6 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.34-020634-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-020634-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.34-020634-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.34-020634-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.34-020634-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-020634-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.34-020634-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-26-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 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='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-26-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 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='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 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='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-24-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c42e74f62e74e33a
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

=============================== sda6/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0


UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
UUID=ddeda346-31b6-4e65-ac65-5656832794fa none swap sw 0 0
UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 / ext3 errors=remount-ro 0 1
UUID=ddeda346-31b6-4e65-ac65-5656832794fa none swap sw 0 0
UUID=4ae355fd-304b-432f-bd5b-9de0e32e32e9 / ext3 errors=remount-ro 0 1
UUID=ddeda346-31b6-4e65-ac65-5656832794fa none swap sw 0 0

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


412.0GB: boot/grub/core.img
409.9GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
412.3GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
409.9GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
409.9GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-26-generic
412.3GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.34-020634-generic
418.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic
418.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic
411.9GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-020634-generic
412.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-candela
409.9GB: initrd.img
412.3GB: initrd.img.old
418.7GB: vmlinuz
411.9GB: vmlinuz.old

=========================== sdb5/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic
uuid 17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic

title Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+
uuid 17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

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


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista (loader)
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
savedefault
chainloader +1


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Windows Vista (loader)
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
savedefault
chainloader +1


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda3
title Windows Vista (loader)
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
savedefault
chainloader +1


=============================== sdb5/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'vol_id --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/sdc5 during installation
UUID=17a754dc-bf72-4d5f-a9d3-feb5cce9a9cb / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdc6 during installation
UUID=91e99862-cf2b-4809-bee0-695da84d7884 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

=================== sdb5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


984.7GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
984.6GB: boot/grub/stage2
984.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
984.7GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic
984.6GB: initrd.img
984.7GB: vmlinuz

kingsrook14
December 27th, 2010, 07:44 AM
As far as I understand
1. if I boot from /dev/sda5 (my laptop install of Ubuntu)
2. then mount /dev/sdb5 (cloned linux partition on new external hdd) to a suitable /mnt/NewHDD point
3. run sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/NewHDD /dev/sdb
This will install GRUB on new HDD MBR ?
Then I can boot into new HDD GRUB and sudo update-grub to include /dev/sdb5 into grub menu and any kernel it finds on /dev/sdb5 ?

Will this keep my laptop install and MBR untouched?
BTW I didn't use live cd but used laptop install of Ubuntu to run the boot info script

Thanks again
Ketan Rane

presence1960
December 27th, 2010, 03:15 PM
Your external disk ubuntu is Jaunty 9.04 with Legacy Grub. I am not sure but I believe the newer Ubuntu Live CDs do not support legacy grub. I would boot the Jaunty Live CD/USB with the external disk plugged in. Choose "Try ubuntu without any changes". When the desktop loads open a terminal and do this:


1. Type sudo grub. Should get text of which last line is grub>
2. Type "find /boot/grub/stage1". You'll get a response like "(hd1,4)".
Use whatever your computer spits out for the following lines.
3. Type "root (hd1,4)", or whatever your hard disk + boot partition numbers are for Ubuntu.
4. Type "setup (hd1)", to install GRUB to MBR
5. Quit grub by typing "quit".
6. Reboot and remove the bootable CD.

Note: When you run #2 above it may say your legacy grub is located at hd(0,4). If that is the case then substitute "0" for the "1" in #3 & #4 above.

kingsrook14
January 2nd, 2011, 03:46 PM
Hello everyone,
Thanks for the help so far.
I did some changes to the orignal problem and would like some more help.

When I realized that the cloned partition on external HDD was Jaunty 9.04 with Legacy Grub I deleted it.
Then I cloned the linux partition from my laptop HDD which is Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS (/dev/sda6) onto my new external HDD.
I hope this removes the need for legacy Grub. I am going to do BOOT INFO SCRIPT again and post results here.

thanks