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eddiewar
May 2nd, 2011, 03:29 AM
Missing LogIn Menu

I have a computer on which I installed both Ubuntu and Windows XP and was able originally at startup to choose which OS to load. Recently I decided to upgrade the Ubuntu from 10.10 to 11.04 and now the startup menu does not load and I am unable to access WindowsXP.
I have to state that I am a COMPLETE NEWBIE so hopefully if anyone answers this question they will reply in easily understood instructions.
If it wasn't for the fact that I have a family history program in XP I would just delete the partition and start over.
Although I downloaded and installed Startup manager and it did show the XP system it didn't provide the startup menu..........
I would be very grateful for someone's help - please

garvinrick4
May 2nd, 2011, 03:39 AM
Missing LogIn Menu

I have a computer on which I installed both Ubuntu and Windows XP and was able originally at startup to choose which OS to load. Recently I decided to upgrade the Ubuntu from 10.10 to 11.04 and now the startup menu does not load and I am unable to access WindowsXP.
I have to state that I am a COMPLETE NEWBIE so hopefully if anyone answers this question they will reply in easily understood instructions.
If it wasn't for the fact that I have a family history program in XP I would just delete the partition and start over.
Although I downloaded and installed Startup manager and it did show the XP system it didn't provide the startup menu..........
I would be very grateful for someone's help - please
First try, open a terminal and:

sudo update-grub
See if that does it and report back, there is a lot of ways and users to get you bootable.

eddiewar
May 2nd, 2011, 04:35 AM
First try, open a terminal and:

sudo update-grub
See if that does it and report back, there is a lot of ways and users to get you bootable.

Thanks but that unfortunately did not work :-)

The PC boots and the first screen that appears is autologin screen for 10.10 and then this changes and becomes the 11.04 desktop. still no option to load XP.

garvinrick4
May 2nd, 2011, 05:06 AM
#Hold down shift key while it is booting and will show boot menu entrys.
#Also you can run this in a terminal and will show menuentrys:


grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg

##Normally it boots straight into a operating system when only one available.

eddiewar
May 3rd, 2011, 04:00 AM
Thanks for your reply - appreciated.

However your suggestions did not produce any new results - holding the shift key had no effect at all on the bootup and the "grep menuentry..........." just produced the text of the menu that SHOULD appear at bootup.

What would be the possible result if I just attempt to re-install 10.1 from a live CD?

Dutch70
May 3rd, 2011, 04:58 AM
What would be the possible result if I just attempt to re-install 10.1 from a live CD?

Well, If you choose the partitions that you want to install to manually & select the same ones, it should be fine. Otherwise, you may end up with 2 installs and even bigger problems.

Or...We can take a look at your boot info script to try & see why it's not booting.

From the live cd, run the following command in a terminal.(copy&paste)

wget -O boot_info_script.sh 'http://bootinfoscript.git.sourceforge.net/git/gitweb.cgi?p=bootinfoscript/bootinfoscript;a=blob_plain;f=boot_info_script.sh; hb=HEAD'

That should put the boot info script in your downloads folder. Cut & Paste it to your desktop, and run this command.

sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh

This will create a results.txt file on your desktop. Open that file and copy/paste the info between code tags using the "#" symbol in the tool bar of your next post.

Again, to put it between code tags, just click the # symbol in the tool bar & paste it between [CODE] [ /CODE] tags.
Do not skip this step or you will lose the formatting & I doubt if anyone will even look at it.

eddiewar
May 3rd, 2011, 03:35 PM
Thanks for your help = hopefully this is what you are asking for :-)


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

=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for cbdc4.
=> No boot loader 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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 11.04
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 40.0 GB, 40000000000 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4863 cylinders, total 78125000 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 78,124,094 78,124,032 7 HPFS/NTFS


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 203.9 GB, 203928109056 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24792 cylinders, total 398297088 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 2,048 393,691,135 393,689,088 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 393,693,182 398,295,039 4,601,858 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 393,693,184 398,295,039 4,601,856 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 7204447C04444577 ntfs
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ext4
/dev/sdb2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb5 4293fd01-7e22-42bc-a55a-677b57a81dfc swap
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sdb1 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0)


================================ 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


=========================== sdb1/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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="6"
if [ "${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 video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_CA
insmod gettext
if [ "${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
if background_color 44,0,30; then
clear
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-8-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ro splash vga=795 quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-8-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.38-8-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ro single splash vga=795
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
submenu "Previous Linux versions" {
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-28-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic root=UUID=9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ro splash vga=795 quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-28-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-28-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-28-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic root=UUID=9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ro single splash vga=795
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-28-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='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
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)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7204447C04444577
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 ###

=============================== sdb1/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
/dev/sdb1 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdb5 during installation
UUID=4293fd01-7e22-42bc-a55a-677b57a81dfc none swap sw 0 0
/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


94.6GB: boot/grub/core.img
4.5GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-28-generic
.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
94.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic
1.9GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic
.6GB: initrd.img
.6GB: initrd.img.old
1.9GB: vmlinuz
94.6GB: vmlinuz.old

Dutch70
May 5th, 2011, 01:30 AM
Nope!...That is quote tags...[QUOTE][ /QUOTE]

This is code tags...[CODE][ /CODE]

eddiewar
May 9th, 2011, 10:18 PM
Hopefully I got it right this time :-)


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

=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for cbdc4.
=> No boot loader 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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 11.04
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 40.0 GB, 40000000000 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4863 cylinders, total 78125000 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 78,124,094 78,124,032 7 HPFS/NTFS


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 203.9 GB, 203928109056 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24792 cylinders, total 398297088 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 2,048 393,691,135 393,689,088 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 393,693,182 398,295,039 4,601,858 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 393,693,184 398,295,039 4,601,856 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 7204447C04444577 ntfs
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ext4
/dev/sdb2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb5 4293fd01-7e22-42bc-a55a-677b57a81dfc swap
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sdb1 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0)


================================ 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


=========================== sdb1/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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="6"
if [ "${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 video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_CA
insmod gettext
if [ "${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
if background_color 44,0,30; then
clear
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-8-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ro splash vga=795 quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-8-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.38-8-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ro single splash vga=795
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
submenu "Previous Linux versions" {
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-28-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic root=UUID=9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ro splash vga=795 quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-28-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-28-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.35-28-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic root=UUID=9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118 ro single splash vga=795
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-28-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='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9757a38a-2057-4758-8f47-e60a4605a118
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)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7204447C04444577
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 ###

=============================== sdb1/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
/dev/sdb1 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdb5 during installation
UUID=4293fd01-7e22-42bc-a55a-677b57a81dfc none swap sw 0 0
/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


94.6GB: boot/grub/core.img
4.5GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-28-generic
.6GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
94.6GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-28-generic
1.9GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic
.6GB: initrd.img
.6GB: initrd.img.old
1.9GB: vmlinuz
94.6GB: vmlinuz.old

Hedgehog1
May 10th, 2011, 06:18 AM
Based on the second script output you have posted, you have a mix of boot loader remnants on your 1st hard drive:


Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for cbdc4.

This should be looking for /boot/grub instead of cbdc4.

Please download the Natty/11.04 ISO and create a LiveCD (or a LiveUSB) with it.

The boot from the LiveCD/LiveUSB, select 'TRY'.

In the Terminal (Menu to: Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal):


sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt

sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda

This will (hopefully) reinstall grub properly so you can use both XP and Ubuntu again.


The Hedge

:KS

eddiewar
May 10th, 2011, 07:46 PM
Thanks for your suggestions BUT I am sorry to say it didn't change anything.

I carried out your instructions (twice) and each time I received the message "installation finished no errors reported" I completely disconnected the PC from the power before rebooting.

Sooooooo it is now up to you guys if you want to continue with trying to solve this - if not I will just reformat and install some other Ubunutu distro.

Regards and again thanks

Edward

Dutch70
May 12th, 2011, 09:05 PM
If you haven't reinstalled yet, It think the commands you want to run from the live cd/usb are...

sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt
and...

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

That is going to install the boot loader into the MBR of sdb, so you may want to see if someone else has anything to add to this.

I can tell you that I have 2 hdd's and have the boot loader installed to both. That way if I take one out, I can still boot, but I'll leave that up to you.

eddiewar
May 14th, 2011, 03:43 PM
If you haven't reinstalled yet, It think the commands you want to run from the live cd/usb are...

sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt
and...

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

That is going to install the boot loader into the MBR of sdb, so you may want to see if someone else has anything to add to this.

I can tell you that I have 2 hdd's and have the boot loader installed to both. That way if I take one out, I can still boot, but I'll leave that up to you.

Thanks Dutch --

BUT I am sorry to say there has been no change in my situation - still cannot access XP.

I did notice that your instructions were just slightly different to Hedgehog's - you stated ......./dev/sda and he gave ...../dev/sdb but after carrying out both your instructions (very carefully) I still received the same negative result.

My sincere thanks for both of you for trying to help - looks as though I am stuck with this.

Edward

Dutch70
May 14th, 2011, 06:47 PM
Sorry to hear that Edward. Please refer to post#6 & repost a new boot info script since you've made changes.

eddiewar
May 15th, 2011, 06:13 PM
Sorry to hear that Edward. Please refer to post#6 & repost a new boot info script since you've made changes.

Thanks Dutch -- BUT this time I was not able to download the bootinfoscript file from sourceforge. Tried three times but received the same result "error 404 ....not found". I cannot understand because this command worked OK the first time you posted it.

Edward

Dutch70
May 15th, 2011, 07:46 PM
If you had/have an Internet connection, the server may have been down. I just tried it myself & it worked fine.

eddiewar
May 16th, 2011, 09:28 PM
If you had/have an Internet connection, the server may have been down. I just tried it myself & it worked fine.

Thanks Dutch --

BUT I seem to be digging a deeper hole somehow :-)

I completely shutdown and disconnected the computer before booting with the live CD. When I chose the "Try Ubuntu" option, after some time I received the message "fixing recusive fault but reboot is needed". I could not reboot so had to again completely disconnect the PC.

So now I am unable to boot with the live CD..........

Dutch70
May 18th, 2011, 12:25 AM
Wow, maybe your cd has gotten dirty or scratched, because it doesn't use your hdd when you're booting from the cd.

eddiewar
May 18th, 2011, 07:34 PM
Wow, maybe your cd has gotten dirty or scratched, because it doesn't use your hdd when you're booting from the cd.

Well I have finally managed to download the boot_info_script file and place it on the desktop HOWEVER when I run the command sudo bash ~/desktop/boot_info_script*.sh I receive the error message "no such file or directory"

Any further suggestions or have I reached the end of the road?

Dutch70
May 18th, 2011, 09:35 PM
Well, if you can reinstall without losing anything, that's usually always the best option. I don't know for sure that getting that boot script will tell us anything. Upgrades are just never the way to go IMHO.

You can also try "renewing your installation" I've never tried it so, I can't tell you how safe it is. This video will show you how.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGnsYuWS0xY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGnsYuWS0xY)
You can even use that to go back to an older version.
I recommend having a separate /home partition so you can always reinstall without losing your data or settings.

As for the boot script, are you copying & pasting the command from my previous post? If not, definitely try that if you want to continue to try & fix it.