Dual boot help: XP on laptop and Ubuntu on ext HD

[digital_nite]

Hi everyone,
I've been having a difficult time with a dual boot. I hope someone out there can help me. Here's what's going on. I'm on a laptop and have an external hard drive. I have XP on the laptop and Ubuntu on the external hard dirve. For some reason every time I turn my computer on I get this weird message, something like "no device [...] found", and then I'm stuck with a command line that states "grub restore>". I've been able to gain access to the system by starting my computer with the Ubuntu 10.10 live disk then choosing restart from a menu inside of it. However, this isn't how things should be. I should be able to start my system and choose what operating system I want to run without a disk.

Special note: I used to run Ubuntu through the Wubi installer and things worked perfect, but one day I started having booting problems. I let my system do an update in Ubuntu and ever since then I've been where I am now. All help is welcome.

Thanks everyone,
digital_nite

[bcbc]

So I am unclear... do you currently have Wubi installed on the external?

Do you get a grub prompt whether you have the external drive plugged in or not?

If you are running a Wubi install, then you've accidentally told Grub to install its bootloader on your laptop drive. You need to boot from a windows repair CD and reinstall the windows bootloader. For XP run "fixmbr", for Vista/7 run "bootrec.exe /fixmbr"
See http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1639198 Problem #1.

[Rubi1200]

I suggest you run the boot info script and post the results here for us to get a better overview of the current state of your system.

Boot the Ubuntu Live CD/USB. Choose the option "Try Ubuntu without any changes." Once 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.

[digital_nite]

Hello again,
I've been really busy so please excuse the delayed response. I followed the advice of Rubi1200 and have the "RESULTS." from the boot info script. It should help everyone see what's going on on my system.


Thanks to everyone for your help.
digital_nite


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.
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive in
partition #256 for /boot/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: vfat
Boot sector type: HP Recovery
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows XP
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: 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

sdb6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 120.0 GB, 120034123776 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14593 cylinders, total 234441648 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 * 14,346,045 234,420,479 220,074,435 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 63 14,346,044 14,345,982 b W95 FAT32


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 1000.2 GB, 1000202043392 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121600 cylinders, total 1953519616 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 2,048 1,638,079,102 1,638,077,055 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb2 1,638,080,510 1,953,517,567 315,437,058 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 1,638,080,512 1,948,303,359 310,222,848 83 Linux
/dev/sdb6 1,948,305,408 1,953,517,567 5,212,160 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 C040DD3E40DD3C3A ntfs
/dev/sda2 6A5F-1690 vfat
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 BA78CD6178CD1D4F ntfs Elements
/dev/sdb2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb5 4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86 ext4
/dev/sdb6 4f9b84e0-cc77-491e-9315-ab6f0e3501e7 swap
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sdb5 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0)
/dev/sdb1 /media/Elements fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096,default_ permissions)


================================ 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="Windows XP Media Center Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /usepmtimer

=========================== sdb5/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='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86
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='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86
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='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86 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='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86 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='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows XP Media Center Edition (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set c040dd3e40dd3c3a
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows NT/2000/XP (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod fat
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 6a5f-1690
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 ###

=============================== sdb5/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/sdb5 during installation
UUID=4ad32ca4-4d6a-4dd2-a1c5-1216bd14bf86 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=4f9b84e0-cc77-491e-9315-ab6f0e3501e7 none swap sw 0 0

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


881.8GB: boot/grub/core.img
860.3GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
839.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
881.8GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic
839.6GB: initrd.img
881.8GB: vmlinuz

[bcbc]

Likely you want your laptop to boot windows when the external is not plugged in.
When the external is plugged in, you want to select to boot from it and then boot Ubuntu.

If you get a grub rescue prompt when you boot up with the external plugged in then likely your bios is set to boot from it first (when present). (Which is good)

So what I would do is, boot a live CD:

sudo apt-get install lilo
sudo lilo -M /dev/sda mbr
sudo mount /dev/sdb5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sdb


Reboot, with external plugged in: you should see your grub menu
Shutdown, remove external, and boot again: you should go right into Windows.

Note: when you run apt-get install lilo you'll get a big splash screen warning about running linux from lilo - ignore this - as you're booting windows. If you prefer you can also install the windows bootloader to your laptop drive (boot without external from a windows disc to a repair prompt and run: fixmbr).

PS If my assumptions aren't correct, you aren't sure, or you want more information - let me know

[digital_nite]

Hey BCBC,
About my external drive, I've been using it as storage for both my operating systems.
I would like to continue using it for this, but simply add on the ability to boot linux. If I take your suggestion, can I access the drive in XP by perhaps plugging it in after boot up?

Thanks,
digital_nite

[bcbc]

Hey BCBC,
About my external drive, I've been using it as storage for both my operating systems.
I would like to continue using it for this, but simply add on the ability to boot linux. If I take your suggestion, can I still access the drive in XP by perhaps plugging it in after boot up?

Thanks,
digital_nite
Yes - it would work the same. The changes you are making are only for the bootloaders (only affects computer at boot time). You will still be able to boot Windows from Grub2 (when the external is plugged in at boot time), and you can still access existing ntfs or fat partitions from Windows from the external.

[digital_nite]

Hey BCBC,
I have a problem. I followed all your steps and now I don't get a boot menu to log into ubuntu. In addition, I can't get into Ubuntu at all. What should I do? I'd hate to reformat the external drive and reinstall linux completely.

digital_nite

[bcbc]

You don't need to reinstall Ubuntu. You just need to choose the external as the first boot device.

Either go into your BIOS and select to boot first from USB devices, or press the BIOS boot menu override key and select to boot from the USB each time you want Ubuntu.

[digital_nite]

Hello again,
Looks like everything's coming together BCBC. I'm getting closer to dual booting successfully. I just have one problem. When I change my boot order I get to a grub command line. What do I do to boot into Ubuntu from here? Thanks again for the help.

digital_nite

[bcbc]

Did you reinstall grub to the external MBR?

sudo mount /dev/sdb5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sdb

Is it a grub rescue prompt or a normal grub command line?

If you can't get it working by reinstalling grub, then run the bootinfoscript and post it again.

[digital_nite]

Hi bcbc,
When I start my computer I can boot to grub but don't know what to do to boot linux. What should I do? Thanks for all your help

digital_nite

[bcbc]

So... did you install grub2 bootloader to /dev/sdb? When you boot, you select to boot from the external, and then it drops you at a grub prompt? (or a rescue grub prompt?).

What does the bootinfoscript say?