grub doesn't show up after installing Ubuntu 11.10 to dual boot with Windows 7

[mattiv]

I installed Ubuntu 11.10(x64) along with Windows 7(x64). The problem is silly: when booting Windows starts up normally, just as if I've done nothing. (That is, grub won't show up)

The installation went normally, and Windows Disk Management shows the partitions created by the installation. I am clueless as how to approach this problem, as I can't even get Ubuntu to boot.

What could I have possibly done wrong? Thanks in advance for any help!

[lechien73]

Hi & welcome to the forums,

To check on your grub installation it would be good if you could boot from a LiveCD or LiveUSB, download the boot info script from http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net, and follow the instructions there to create a RESULTS.txt file.

When the RESULTS.txt file is created, please post it here. You can attach the file or, preferably, paste the contents between CODE tags (the # button on the toolbar)

[darkod]

Do you maybe have RAID running?

[mattiv]

I don't have a RAID. Below is the output of the boot info script:



Boot Info Script 0.60 from 17 May 2011


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

=> Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda.
=> Syslinux MBR (4.04 and higher) 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:
Boot files: /bootmgr /Boot/BCD

sda2: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows 7
Boot files: /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda3: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista/7
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files:

sda4: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 11.10
Boot files: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab

sda6: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: SYSLINUX 4.04 2011-04-18
Boot sector info: Syslinux looks at sector 4137024 of /dev/sdb1 for its
second stage. SYSLINUX is installed in the E:\syslinux
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: 2000.4 GB, 2000398934016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 243201 cylinders, total 3907029168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sda1 * 2,048 206,847 204,800 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sda2 206,848 409,599,999 409,393,152 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sda3 409,600,000 3,497,424,895 3,087,824,896 7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sda4 3,497,426,942 3,907,028,991 409,602,050 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 3,497,426,944 3,890,290,687 392,863,744 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 3,890,292,736 3,907,028,991 16,736,256 82 Linux swap / Solaris


Drive: sdb __________________________________________________ ___________________

Disk /dev/sdb: 8015 MB, 8015314944 bytes
5 heads, 32 sectors/track, 97843 cylinders, total 15654912 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 * 8,064 15,654,911 15,646,848 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)


"blkid" output: __________________________________________________ ______________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda1 BC94EC5994EC1822 ntfs System Reserved
/dev/sda2 2C441CB4441C82AE ntfs
/dev/sda3 C6C63722C63711E3 ntfs Storage
/dev/sda5 c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2 ext4
/dev/sda6 25bc2465-4eb6-403a-b25b-9feec105766e swap
/dev/sdb1 D97F-55BC vfat STORE N GO

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)
/dev/sdb1 /cdrom vfat (ro,noatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=cp437,i ocharset=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 efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${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 3.0.0-12-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-12-generic root=UUID=c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-12-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-12-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2
echo 'Loading Linux 3.0.0-12-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-12-generic root=UUID=c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-12-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='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root BC94EC5994EC1822
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' 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=c1738035-a704-47fb-a779-c57261a801b2 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda6 during installation
UUID=25bc2465-4eb6-403a-b25b-9feec105766e none swap sw 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

= boot/grub/grub.cfg 2
= boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-12-generic 2
= boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-12-generic 1
= initrd.img 2
= 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/chain.c32 1
?? = ?? syslinux/gfxboot.c32 1
?? = ?? syslinux/syslinux.cfg 1
?? = ?? syslinux/vesamenu.c32 1

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

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

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

awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
awk: cmd. line:36: Math support is not compiled in
./boot_info_script.sh: line 1579: [: 2.73495e+09: integer expression expected

[darkod]

From what ever reason, grub2 was not fully installed. The file /boot/grub/core.img is missing.

You can reinstall it if you enter the root partition (sda5) with chroot. From live mode in terminal:


sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt
sudo mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
sudo mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
sudo chroot /mnt

To completely remove and reinstall grub2:


apt-get --purge remove grub-pc
apt-get install grub-pc
grub-mkconfig
grub-install /dev/sda

That should do it. Exit the chroot and unmount:


exit
sudo umount /mnt/sys
sudo umount /mnt/proc
sudo umount /mnt/dev
sudo umount /mnt

Reboot and see if it worked.

[mattiv]

Upon trying the above, I found out that no grub-pc was installed, instead I have grub-efi. I tried reinstalling this, but it didn't help with my problem.

What is the difference between these two? Should I try uninstalling grub-efi and installing grub-pc instead? :confused:

[darkod]

If you are using EFI boot, not BIOS, then grub2 needs a small partition with no filesystem which will have the bios_grub flag set. But that should exist before the installation so it can put it's files there, as far as I know.

Not sure if you can add it now. Don't have experience with EFI, still using the good old BIOS boot.

What you could try is boot up in live mode and delete all the ubuntu partitions with Gparted (be careful not to delete windows). Then in Gparted create a small 1MB (or the minimum it can, sometimes it's 8MB) with no filesystem. Not sure if you can create it without filesystem. If you need to select any filesystem, use FAT32.
Once it is create right click on it and select Manage Flags. Activate the bios_grub flag.

After that reinstall ubuntu again and it should work.

[mattiv]

Activate the bios_grub flag.

I can't see bios_grub flag in the Manage flags menu. Should I select the "boot" flag?

[darkod]

No, the boot flag is already set to /dev/sda1 where the windows boot files are, and that's the correct way.

The bios_grub might have related only to GPT partition tables and you have msdos (which I prefer).

Did you try entering BIOS and changing to BIOS boot? Just disable the EFI boot.

Note that at first it might not boot since you have no grub-pc but you can use the commands earlier and remove grub-efi and install grub-pc.

Since you already have msdos table and with BIOS boot it will most probably work fine.

[mattiv]

I didn't find an option to disable EFI boot in the EFI/BIOS menu. I tried uninstalling grub-efi and installing grub-pc anyway, and now it works! Apparently my system isn't set up to EFI boot, but the Ubuntu installer decided to install grub-efi anyway? For the record, my MB is Asus P8P67 LE.

Thank you all for helping me out! :)

[darkod]

Glad you got it sorted out. Very strange that it installed grub-efi but anyway you got it working. And now you know how to completely remove/reinstall grub2 from chroot. :)

Please mark the thread as SOLVED in Thread Tools above the first post.