Can't boot into Windows after install

[DRSorensen]

I've been using Ubuntu 11.04 via the Wubi installer for about a month now. It had some problems and I ended up deleting it so that I could do a full install. I already have Ubuntu on a USB drive (just in case)


Anyway, after numerous problems (my laptop seems to follow Murphy's Law quite strictly), I was able to complete the install. Unfortunately, Grub does not work. It would boot right into Windows Vista. After following advice from at least 10 different threads, still nothing worked.

So after failing to install/reinstall/update Grub, I restarted my computer to find that now, it boots straight into Ubuntu, and I don't even have an option to get into Vista.

Any ideas? My laptop has never been able to do anything without hours of troubleshooting...


For reference, here's some terminal output:


sudo fdisk -l:

Disk /dev/sda: 60.0 GB, 60011642880 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 7296 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xf54413eb

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 6515 52330713+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 6516 7296 6272001 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 6516 7053 4316160 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 7053 7296 1954816 82 Linux swap / Solaris



sudo grub:

sudo: grub: command not found (tried /sbin/grub and others, can't find grub launcher)



sudo grub-install --boot-directory=/mnt/boot /dev/sda (after mounting /dev/sda5):

/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Sector 5 is already in use by ZISD; avoiding it. This software may cause boot or other problems in future. Please ask its authors not to store data in the boot track.
Installation finished. No error reported.

[YesWeCan]

In Ubuntu run
sudo update-grub
This should detect your Vista and add it to the menu.

The Grub warning about ZISD is because Grub uses some unallocated sectors on the disk that another app has also used. This is not causing your Vista absence.

[DRSorensen]

After running sudo grub-update (which I'm pretty sure I've tried already) and rebooting, I now get:

Error: File not found.

Grub rescue>

at startup. The update didn't have any errors.

I'm running off of my USB drive now. For some reason it has no unity bar or bar of any kind. I had to search through the bin (which I could only get open through the 'Examples' folder on the desktop) to find the firefox launcher.

[Quackers]

Please go to the site below and download the boot script. This will give you a zip file which should be extracted in the same directory as it was downloaded. This produces a folder which contains the script and a changelog file.
You then need to cd to that directory in the terminal (for example
cd Downloads/boot_info_script060 if you downloaded it to your Downloads folder). You don't need to do that if you downloaded it to your home folder.
Then enter

sudo bash boot_info_script.sh

This will produce a results.txt file in the same directory as the downloaded boot script. Please copy the contents of that file and paste them in your next post between CODE tags. For CODE tags click on New Reply (not quick reply)and then click on the # symbol in the toolbar.
This will give a full overview of your current system.
Thanks.

http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/

[DRSorensen]

Don't know if it's important, but the terminal showed

"gawk" could not be found, using "busybox awk" instead.
This may lead to unreliable results.



Boot Info Script 0.60 from 17 May 2011


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

=> Grub2 (v1.99) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector 1 of
the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and looks
for (,msdos5)/mnt/boot/grub on this drive.
=> Syslinux MBR (3.61-4.03) 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: Windows Vista
Boot files: /bootmgr /Boot/BCD /Windows/System32/winload.exe /GRLDR

sda2: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda6: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: SYSLINUX 4.02 debian-20101016 ...........>...r>.......I..V...0...~.k...~...f...M.f.f....f..8~....>2}
Boot sector info: Syslinux looks at sector 1445258 of /dev/sdb1 for its
second stage. SYSLINUX is installed in the directory.
The integrity check of the ADV area failed. No errors
found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /syslinux/syslinux.cfg /ldlinux.sys

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

Drive: sda __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sda: 60.0 GB, 60011642880 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 7296 cylinders, total 117210240 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sda1 * 2,048 104,663,474 104,661,427 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sda2 104,665,086 117,209,087 12,544,002 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 104,665,088 113,297,407 8,632,320 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 113,299,456 117,209,087 3,909,632 82 Linux swap / Solaris


Drive: sdb __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 4047 MB, 4047502848 bytes
4 heads, 32 sectors/track, 61759 cylinders, total 7905279 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 32 7,905,278 7,905,247 b W95 FAT32


GUID Partition Table detected, but does not seem to be used.

Partition Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors System
/dev/sdb1 1,794,048 3,891,199 2,097,152 Data partition (Windows/Linux)
/dev/sdb2 4,096 36,863 32,768 -
/dev/sdb3 36,864 1,794,047 1,757,184 -
/dev/sdb4 3,956,736 3,989,503 32,768 -
/dev/sdb5 3,989,504 3,989,504 1 -
/dev/sdb6 34 34 1 -
/dev/sdb7 35 35 1 -
/dev/sdb8 3,891,200 3,923,967 32,768 Data partition (Windows/Linux)
/dev/sdb9 36 36 1 -
/dev/sdb10 37 37 1 -
/dev/sdb11 38 38 1 -
/dev/sdb12 3,923,968 3,956,735 32,768 EFI System partition
/dev/sdb121 8,273,188,659,167 2,147,483,648-8,271,041,175,518 -
/dev/sdb122 1,281,361,340,349,593,6774,282,394,793,129,366,608 3,001,033,452,779,772,932 -
/dev/sdb123 1,801,862,997,568,683,584301,282,515,846,653,563-1,500,580,481,722,030,020 -
/dev/sdb124 178,489,717,203,957,7664,397,328,831,963,214,0804, 218,839,114,759,256,315 -
/dev/sdb125 0 0 1 -

"blkid" output: __________________________________________________ ______________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/loop1 8574db77-1e6a-4884-9d1a-53d05427c46e ext3
/dev/sda1 90B45177B4516130 ntfs
/dev/sda5 f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a ext4
/dev/sda6 1e594623-761e-4293-afc6-5bcd4d11189f swap
/dev/sdb1 6B1A-011B vfat

================================ Mount points: =================================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)
/dev/sdb1 /cdrom vfat (rw,relatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=cp437, iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)


=========================== sda5/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 video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a
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/sda,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
if [ "${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=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-8-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.38-8-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-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/sda,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 90B45177B4516130
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 ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda5/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/sda5 during installation
UUID=f64660a2-e12f-4f4a-a602-261f5ca7758a / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=1e594623-761e-4293-afc6-5bcd4d11189f none swap sw 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

52.581726074 = 56.459198464 boot/grub/core.img 1
50.916233063 = 54.670888960 boot/grub/grub.cfg 1
51.053256989 = 54.818017280 boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic 1
53.056140900 = 56.968597504 boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic 1
51.053256989 = 54.818017280 initrd.img 1
53.056140900 = 56.968597504 vmlinuz 1

=========================== sdb1/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

if loadfont /boot/grub/font.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
insmod efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod gfxterm
terminal_output gfxterm
fi

set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray

menuentry "Try Ubuntu without installing" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux /casper/vmlinuz file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper quiet splash --
initrd /casper/initrd.lz
}
menuentry "Install Ubuntu" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux /casper/vmlinuz file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed boot=casper only-ubiquity quiet splash --
initrd /casper/initrd.lz
}
menuentry "Check disc for defects" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux /casper/vmlinuz boot=casper integrity-check quiet splash --
initrd /casper/initrd.lz
}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

========================= sdb1/syslinux/syslinux.cfg: ==========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# D-I config version 2.0
include menu.cfg
default vesamenu.c32
prompt 0
timeout 50
ui gfxboot bootlogo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

?? = ?? boot/grub/grub.cfg 1

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

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

?? = ?? ldlinux.sys 1
?? = ?? syslinux/gfxboot.c32 1
?? = ?? syslinux/syslinux.cfg 1
?? = ?? syslinux/vesamenu.c32 1

============== sdb1: Version of COM32(R) files used by Syslinux: ===============

syslinux/gfxboot.c32 : COM32R module (v4.xx)
syslinux/vesamenu.c32 : COM32R module (v4.xx)

======================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc: ========================

Unknown GPT Partiton Type
5d2a3afe324fa741b725accc3285a309
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
02e2b83c7e3bdd478a3c7ff2a13cfcec
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
5d2a3afe324fa741b725accc3285a309
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
02e2b83c7e3bdd478a3c7ff2a13cfcec
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
5d2a3afe324fa741b725accc3285a309
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
02e2b83c7e3bdd478a3c7ff2a13cfcec
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
3d750a2e489eb0438337b15192cb1b5e
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
3d750a2e489eb0438337b15192cb1b5e
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
3d750a2e489eb0438337b15192cb1b5e
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
eb58905359534c494e55580002082000
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
b106893f894702f364a58a0e187c884d
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
7d0066b88a0d160066ba00000000bb00
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
064108e188c588d6b80102e837006661
Unknown GPT Partiton Type
52526141000000000000000000000000
Unknown BootLoader on sda2

00000000 b3 fe 8f f1 ff 00 46 bd 57 f8 be 0f 3f 87 ed f3 |......F.W...?...|
00000010 f9 ff 00 96 9d 57 77 62 7f c5 e7 7c 7f d9 3f 7f |.....Wwb...|..?.|
00000020 9a cb 7f d9 3b ff 00 c0 6f a9 ff 00 d7 8f fe 38 |....;...o......8|
00000030 ff 00 cd 8f 62 0b bf f8 83 f0 7f 66 38 7f a6 3c |....b......f8..<|
00000040 3f a3 e9 f2 e8 da 3f ec 1f 87 11 f1 70 ff 00 57 |?.....?.....p..W|
00000050 f9 7a 17 fb 4f fe 3c de 97 ff 00 8b b7 f9 ae b7 |.z..O.<.........|
00000060 ff 00 8f bf fc ff 00 fc 5a 6a bf e3 cd ff 00 9b |........Zj......|
00000070 ff 00 f2 a9 fe 1e 4f 65 cf f1 dc fc 7f d8 7f a1 |......Oe........|
00000080 7c 7f 0f 9f fc 2f d7 e7 ab a4 d0 fc 6f c3 83 70 ||..../......o..p|
00000090 f8 78 8e 3f 3e 93 9d e3 ff 00 16 5d 8f fe 63 fe |.x.?>......]..c.|
000000a0 2d 19 3f f3 ff 00 f3 35 ff 00 4d 47 fc 7c df f5 |-.?....5..MG.|..|
000000b0 64 ff 00 95 0f f1 bf b2 c4 f8 a2 fe cb e0 6f f4 |d.............o.|
000000c0 bc 0f c5 f3 f5 fe 97 5e 8b e0 b8 e3 f1 79 70 f2 |.......^.....yp.|
000000d0 f8 7e 7d 2e b3 5f f0 13 a4 bf e6 53 7f cc a3 c7 |.~}.._.....S....|
000000e0 7f c7 c7 ff 00 32 9b eb 90 ff 00 33 ff 00 57 8f |.....2.....3..W.|
000000f0 f5 7f f3 7e fe d3 49 c6 5f ed 3e 39 7e 1f 8f e2 |...~..I._.>9~...|
00000100 6f 87 fa 3f e5 a7 4a bc a3 e3 e5 c3 ec 1c 7f d5 |o..?..J.........|
00000110 eb d2 7b b1 ff 00 e6 59 0f f9 91 3f f0 05 3f e2 |..{....Y...?..?.|
00000120 f7 fa 7f ce 47 ff 00 1e 17 fd 32 7f 5f f1 b7 b6 |....G.....2._...|
00000130 6c 7f dc a7 e1 f1 fe 1f 8b e1 5f 87 fa 5f c5 f3 |l........._.._..|
00000140 af 5b 4f ed c7 c7 fe d7 fe 7e f9 74 73 30 bf f3 |.[O......~.ts0..|
00000150 21 f6 67 fc 7b ff 00 f3 2d 73 3f f1 e4 ff 00 c7 |!.g.{...-s?.....|
00000160 eb f4 a4 ff 00 8f 7f fe ad 7f f3 b3 ff 00 9b 1e |................|
00000170 4f 6b 6e 3f e4 a2 bc 7e 31 f1 f0 f8 d7 e3 fe 97 |Okn?...~1.......|
00000180 fc ff 00 5e a9 65 fd ab 7c 7f 10 e3 f6 1e 1f 2e |...^.e..|.......|
00000190 a9 67 e4 d7 fc cd 9d c5 fe 7b e9 43 ff 00 51 ff |.g.......{.C..Q.|
000001a0 00 f0 1a 9f fe 2f ff 00 f5 70 fe 9f f4 c7 e0 f6 |...../...p......|
000001b0 2a d9 7f e4 91 69 f0 f1 93 87 c1 f1 7e 0f 00 fe |*....i......~...|
000001c0 ff ff 83 fe ff ff 02 00 00 00 00 b8 83 00 00 fe |................|
000001d0 ff ff 05 fe ff ff 02 b8 83 00 00 b0 3b 00 00 00 |............;...|
000001e0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
000001f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa |..............U.|
00000200


=============================== StdErr Messages: ===============================

unlzma: Decoder error
boot_info_script.sh: line 1579: [: 2.73495e+09: integer expression expected

[Quackers]

This is the problem

Grub2 (v1.99) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector 1 of
the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and looks
for (,msdos5)/mnt/boot/grub on this drive. The red bit should read /boot/grub.

From the live cd desktop open a terminal and copy/paste these commands in, one at a time pressing enter after each one.

sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda which should report "finished. No errors"
If it reports an error please run the first command again then this one
sudo grub-install --boot-directory=/mnt /dev/sda

If no errors try rebooting and see if Ubuntu boots directly.

[DRSorensen]

Now when I boot up it loads Grub, tells me I can press TAB to see command options, then gives me a grub> prompt.

[Quackers]

It may be that the grub files are not configured properly.
I can only suggest that you purge and then re-install grub using the CHROOT section of the guide below.
The partition to be mounted is /dev/sda5 and grub should be installed to /dev/sda

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1581099

[Rubi1200]

I hope Quackers won't mind me jumping in here, but I spotted something which may or may not be an issue.

On sda1, you have this file:

/GRLDR

I recommend deleting it as it may be interfering with the boot process.

[Quackers]

Not at all Rubi1200 :-)
It certainly may interfere with booting Windows later! That is assuming that we get Ubuntu booting of course :-)

[YesWeCan]

It is vital that the version of Ubuntu on your USB stick is the same as on the HD, otherwise the Grub versions may be different and the files that are installed from the USB will not work with those on the disk.

If they are not the same you have to make a new USB or use the chroot reinstall process.

[DRSorensen]

The purge and reinstall worked! Thank you all for your time and help! Here ends my 8 hour search :D

[YesWeCan]

I hope Quackers won't mind me jumping in here, but I spotted something which may or may not be an issue.

On sda1, you have this file:

/GRLDR

I recommend deleting it as it may be interfering with the boot process.
This is odd. I don't think it will be causing a failure of Grub to boot Ubuntu because the Windows partition is not involved in that process.

When the grub rescue prompt appears it is because the MBR part of Grub2 cannot find the correct /boot/grub files.

The latest symptom of a grub> prompt rather than a grub rescue> prompt is not clear to me.

[YesWeCan]

The purge and reinstall worked! Thank you all for your time and help! Here ends my 8 hour search :D
Ah, the old grub-enema.

[Quackers]

Glad to hear that :-) Luvverley!
Please mark the thread as solved, using Thread Tools near the top of the page.
Thanks.