Here is what I got.
What is in /dev/sdb1 may be quite messed up after all the trial/errors I went through... but that's the one I would like to boot (either directly by setting the BIOS to boot the USB device or through grub on the main HDD).
Thanks a lot for your help.
Boot Info Script 0.60 from 17 May 2011
============================= Boot Info Summary: ===============================
=> Grub Legacy (v0.97) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the
same drive in partition #1 for /grub/stage2 and /grub/menu.lst.
=> Grub2 (v1.97-1.98) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks at sector
1 of the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and
looks in partition 1 for /boot/grub.
sda1: __________________________________________________ ________________________
File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files: /grub/menu.lst
sda2: __________________________________________________ ________________________
File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS
Boot files: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab
sda3: __________________________________________________ ________________________
File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sdb1: __________________________________________________ ________________________
File system: ext3
Boot sector type: Grub Legacy
Boot sector info: Grub Legacy (v0.97) is installed in the boot sector
of sdb1 and looks at sector 1792295143 of the same
hard drive for the stage2 file. A stage2 file is at
this location on /dev/sdb. Stage2 looks on partition
#1 for /boot/grub/menu.lst.
Operating System: Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS
Boot files: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img
============================ Drive/Partition Info: =============================
Drive: sda __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160000000000 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19452 cylinders, total 312500000 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0003cd50
Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System
/dev/sda1 * 63 32,129 32,067 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 32,130 4,915,889 4,883,760 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 4,915,890 5,012,279 96,390 82 Linux swap / Solaris
Drive: sdb __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sdb: 2000.3 GB, 2000396746752 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 243201 cylinders, total 3907024896 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00050fb0
Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 63 3,907,024,064 3,907,024,002 83 Linux
"blkid" output: __________________________________________________ ______________
Device UUID TYPE LABEL
/dev/sda1 75c85a3d-aa6c-438f-b82f-9c1b4f4a88aa ext3
/dev/sda2 6e62c8d0-379f-48d8-8c6f-b788c4106c95 ext3
/dev/sda3 56b91afc-efaa-4e75-ab14-7435c8ded4ea swap
/dev/sdb1 0ebff6ed-9935-451a-83f8-0e8bcd08d8ea ext3
================================ Mount points: =================================
Device Mount_Point Type Options
/dev/sda1 /boot ext3 (rw,relatime)
/dev/sda2 / ext3 (rw,relatime,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sdb1 /media/disk ext3 (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal)
============================= sda1/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 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=6e62c8d0-379f-48d8-8c6f-b788c4106c95 ro
## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0
## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)
## 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 Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-26-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic root=UUID=6e62c8d0-379f-48d8-8c6f-b788c4106c95 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
quiet
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, USB recovered
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-28-generic root=UUID=0ebff6ed-9935-451a-83f8-0e8bcd08d8ea ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-28-generic
quiet
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-26-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic root=UUID=6e62c8d0-379f-48d8-8c6f-b788c4106c95 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /memtest86+.bin
quiet
### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=================== sda1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================
GiB - GB File Fragment(s)
?? = ?? grub/menu.lst
?? = ?? grub/stage2
?? = ?? initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
?? = ?? vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic
=========================== sda2/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 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=6e62c8d0-379f-48d8-8c6f-b788c4106c95 ro
## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0
## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)
## 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 Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-26-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic root=UUID=6e62c8d0-379f-48d8-8c6f-b788c4106c95 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
quiet
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, USB recovered
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-28-generic root=UUID=0ebff6ed-9935-451a-83f8-0e8bcd08d8ea ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-28-generic
quiet
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-26-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic root=UUID=6e62c8d0-379f-48d8-8c6f-b788c4106c95 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /memtest86+.bin
quiet
### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=============================== sda2/etc/fstab: ================================
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda2
UUID=6e62c8d0-379f-48d8-8c6f-b788c4106c95 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sda1
UUID=75c85a3d-aa6c-438f-b82f-9c1b4f4a88aa /boot ext3 relatime 0 2
# /dev/sda3
UUID=56b91afc-efaa-4e75-ab14-7435c8ded4ea none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=================== sda2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================
GiB - GB File Fragment(s)
?? = ?? boot/grub/menu.lst
?? = ?? boot/grub/stage2
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
?? = ?? boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic
?? = ?? initrd.img
?? = ?? vmlinuz
=========================== sdb1/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 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=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro
## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0
## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)
## 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 Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-28-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-28-generic root=UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-28-generic
quiet
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-28-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-28-generic root=UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-28-generic
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-26-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic root=UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
quiet
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-26-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic root=UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-24-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-24-generic root=UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-24-generic
quiet
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-24-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-24-generic root=UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-24-generic
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-23-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-23-generic root=UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-23-generic
quiet
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, kernel 2.6.24-23-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-23-generic root=UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-23-generic
title Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet
### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=============================== sdb1/etc/fstab: ================================
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
/swapfile swap swap defaults 0 0
# /dev/sdb1
UUID=5c1e8e4f-e290-4a52-9214-341762764a68 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sdb5
UUID=a7a6eaaf-c01d-4e52-9f04-3ee786de0772 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
UUID=66fd7917-10c5-462c-884f-52cf6b493b71 /mnt/storage ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
172.16.23.3:/DataVolume/SW_Engineering /mnt/SW_Engineering nfs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=================== sdb1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================
GiB - GB File Fragment(s)
?? = ?? boot/grub/core.img
?? = ?? boot/grub/menu.lst
?? = ?? boot/grub/stage2
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-23-generic
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-23-generic.bak
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-24-generic
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-24-generic.bak
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic.bak
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-28-generic
?? = ?? boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-28-generic.bak
?? = ?? boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-23-generic
?? = ?? boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-24-generic
?? = ?? boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic
?? = ?? boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-28-generic
?? = ?? initrd.img
?? = ?? initrd.img.old
?? = ?? vmlinuz
?? = ?? vmlinuz.old