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Harbard
February 5th, 2011, 07:48 PM
I was forced to move things around on my system, so I just reinstalled everything and tried a new partition layout on my drive.

I installed Windows XP first, then Ubuntu 10.10. Now the Windows partition does not show up in the boot list. After searching through many othe posts and not seeing a solution that will work for me....need help. Unfortunately I absolutely have to run Windows, else I would just delete the damn thing.

Here is the output from the bootinfo 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 #6 for (,msdos6)/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: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:

sda5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda6: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda3: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sda4: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 750.2 GB, 750156374016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 91201 cylinders, total 1465149168 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 * 63 104,857,599 104,857,537 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 104,859,646 419,430,399 314,570,754 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 104,859,648 125,831,167 20,971,520 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6 125,833,216 419,430,399 293,597,184 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 419,430,400 734,003,199 314,572,800 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 734,003,200 1,465,147,391 731,144,192 83 Linux


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda1 2C44EB5A44EB2574 ntfs
/dev/sda2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda3 e252c92f-ea5d-4deb-af37-2b819e188cbf ext4 linux2
/dev/sda4 a036822c-be75-4418-bce6-c4022c80dde7 ext4 homebase
/dev/sda5 5516d386-0725-4806-9653-3db9ecbd6594 swap
/dev/sda6 09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6 ext4 distro1
/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/sda1 /media/2C44EB5A44EB2574 fuseblk (rw,nosuid,nodev,allow_other,blksize=4096,default_ permissions)
/dev/sda6 /media/distro1 ext4 (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks)
/dev/sda3 /media/linux2 ext4 (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks)
/dev/sda4 /media/homebase 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 Home Edition" /fastdetect


=========================== sda6/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,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6
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,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6
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 2.6.35-25-generic-pae' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic-pae root=UUID=09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic-pae
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-25-generic-pae (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-25-generic-pae ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic-pae root=UUID=09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic-pae
}
### 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,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### 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 ###

=============================== 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
# / was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=09f876c7-283e-47c6-969c-bc92880487d6 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /home was on /dev/sda4 during installation
UUID=a036822c-be75-4418-bce6-c4022c80dde7 /home ext4 defaults 0 2
# swap was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=5516d386-0725-4806-9653-3db9ecbd6594 none swap sw 0 0

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


111.8GB: boot/grub/core.img
103.5GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
66.2GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic-pae
111.8GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic-pae
66.2GB: initrd.img
111.8GB: vmlinuz



I think it is related to my specifying a separate /home partition. I have tried reinstalling grub2 and updating grub2. No luck. I assume I need to manually edit grub.

Thanks in advance.

presence1960
February 5th, 2011, 08:45 PM
Did you try booting to ubuntu and running from terminal
sudo update-grub

Harbard
February 5th, 2011, 08:48 PM
yep..here are the results:



dan@alpha:~$ sudo update-grub
[sudo] password for dan:
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-25-generic-pae
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-25-generic-pae
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
done
dan@alpha:~$


It is not seeing the Windows partition.

Harbard
February 6th, 2011, 12:07 AM
update:

I booted from my Windows disk and used fixmbr to restore the the mbr to it's original state. This worked to get me into Windows. Now, of course, I can't boot into Linux. So I re-installed grub 2 from a live disk and it still won't detect the Windows installation.

So is there anyway to manually get the Windows information into grub?

patocardo
February 6th, 2011, 12:14 AM
I have a similar problem. But I know what causes it: I accidentally deleted windows root files.
Any one do know how to restore/copy/download the windows XP pro SP2 root files?
Additionally, I have installed two winXP versions, and I want to avoid reinstall the system, recover grub, etc. etc.

wilee-nilee
February 6th, 2011, 12:20 AM
update:

I booted from my Windows disk and used fixmbr to restore the the mbr to it's original state. This worked to get me into Windows. Now, of course, I can't boot into Linux. So I re-installed grub 2 from a live disk and it still won't detect the Windows installation.

So is there anyway to manually get the Windows information into grub?

I think you need to run a chkdsk. If you install gparted in Ubuntu and look at the XP partition and its information by right clicking you may see this indicated.

Can you open the XP from Ubuntu does it show in the computer tab or in the left panel in home?

wilee-nilee
February 6th, 2011, 12:22 AM
I have a similar problem. But I know what causes it: I accidentally deleted windows root files.
Any one do know how to restore/copy/download the windows XP pro SP2 root files?
Additionally, I have installed two winXP versions, and I want to avoid reinstall the system, recover grub, etc. etc.

You need to start your own thread. There are no legit XP downloads at this time not associated with the computer vendors.

In your own thread though post the bootscript in my signature. You might try a chkdsk /r as well.

Harbard
February 6th, 2011, 12:42 AM
Not sure exactly what you are asking.....

The windows partition can be mounted and accessed normally. There was no indication that the file system is corrupt. Though I used gparted to check the file system anyway, no errors reported.

I am wondering if it's problem that I have the Windows partition on sda1 (a primary partition) and the Ubuntu installation (and the boot directory) in a logical partition sda6 and /home on a primary partition sda4.

Maybe the easiest solution is just re-arrange my partitions?

Things are arranged thusly:

sda1: ntfs (Windows) primary partition
sda2: extended
sda5: linux-swap
sda6: ext4 (Ubuntu)
sda3: ext4 (unused at the moment)
sda4: ext4 (/home)

wilee-nilee
February 6th, 2011, 01:04 AM
Here is a link for editing grub2 proceed with caution, it will open at this part of the menu. The only thing I don't have is the correct stanzas to add.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2#Custom%20Menu%20Entries

You might wait for presence1960 to post again they are quite knowledgeable, or another who knows the stanzas or a fix.

The script looks good the extended partition is okay, although it being sda2 makes me wonder if this is a MS extended. I believe Linux starts the extended at sda4, this may be a problem I'm not sure.

Harbard
February 6th, 2011, 10:45 PM
okay, I found a solution.

After deleting all partitions re-installing windows, re-install Unbuntu 10.10, messing with MBR, grub and anything else I could think of...the ultimate solution was install Fedora 14. This picked up Windows and allows me to dual boot. This is very unsatisfactory though. I want to have the same distro on all my computers. Plus, I want to have a separate /home patition.

All in all, changing to 10.10 was a mistake. Either grub 2 is hosed up or the installer for 10.10 is.

patocardo
February 7th, 2011, 01:07 PM
You need to start your own thread. There are no legit XP downloads at this time not associated with the computer vendors.

In your own thread though post the bootscript in my signature. You might try a chkdsk /r as well.

Thanks wilee-nilee! I'm opening my own thread now with the Title :"cannot run windows anymore"

oldfred
February 7th, 2011, 06:02 PM
This is a typical windows entry. We used to have to add entries with old grub, but almost never with grub2's osprober and a working windows.

gksudo gedit /etc/grub.d/40_custom


menuentry "WinXP" {
set root=(hd0,1)
insmod chain
chainloader +1
}

Then run this to add it to grub.cfg:
sudo update-grub


Some entries add these lines:
insmod ntfs

and a search line that overrides the set root if set root does not work.
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 2C44EB5A44EB2574