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View Full Version : [SOLVED] HP Gen 8 G1610T - Cannot install Ubuntu and boot. Really Frustrating



seanbw2
June 8th, 2016, 08:11 PM
Background
I have searched the boards and it appears I am in my own pickle.
My setup is as follows: HP Gen 8 G1610T Proliant server with five disks as follows /dev/sda, /dev/sdb, /dev/sdc, /dev/sdd and /dev/sdg. /dev/sdg is a 320GB hard disk whilst dev/sda to d are each 4TB HDD. There is an option in the Gen 8 server that allows the pc to boot from /dev/sdg and that is the option I wanted to exercise by installing ubuntu into /dev/sdg.
However at the last option to install the bootloader and finish the installation, I hit the brickwall with I cannot install the boot loader to the area specified. I am given three options and I can't get out of any unless I reboot.
Option 1 is to choose another from the other hard disks and whichever I choose, the system won't accept. It just sticks there until I reboot.
Option 2 is to continue without a bootloader and even if I choose that it still stay stuck.
Option 3 is to cancel the installation and even that sticks.
So the real option is to ctrl+alt+del. Fast forward a day and a half and I am about to give up so here I am giving up ;)

My Plan
I have 4 x 4TB hard disks that I want to pool so I really don't want any system on them so preferably I will like to boot and keep all my system files to dev/sdg which is my fifth disk= 320GB hard disk.

Problem statement (as I see it)
Ubuntu installs to /dev/sdg but want to boot from /dev/sda (which is OK with me) but somehow it confuses itself and me because it initally installs to /dev/sdg but can't seem to boot from there but does not find all its files wherever it installed to. So for the past days I have been confronted with a grub rescue prompt which refuses to read from (hd1,gpt2) or whatever that is so I eventually removed all disks apart from these five and the sd card I am installing from.

How can I get past this considering the following:

Booting from the SD card succeeds but I can't install into it so I need to install to /dev/sdg
I can't seem to install and boot from /dev/sdg nor can I install and boot from /dev/sda (I have tried. I get a grub rescue prompt)
I can run and update anything using the live cd but once I reboot - they disappear and I am back to the starting point.
HP gen 8 G1610T prefers to boot from the SD card but I can't install to it and in any case I want to boot to /dev/sdg. The SD card is /dev/sdf.


Solution Required (from You All)
How can I install the boot loader to /dev/sdg considering that I can't install from the live cd permanently? Currently I am in the live CD and I need your assistance.
I will post this and then paste the output of blkid from the server itself.

oldfred
June 8th, 2016, 08:47 PM
Is this an UEFI system or BIOS.
If BIOS the install to sdg when partitioning sdg should work. But you then have to set BIOS to boot sdg.

But if UEFI, grub only installs to sda's ESP - efi system partition. The only way I have gotten it to install to sdb or a full install to a flash drive was to afterwards copy sda's ESP to sdb's ESP. And if internal drive, which I have not configured to directly boot, you would have to add a new entry to UEFI's NVRAM.

Can you temporarily disconnect the other 4 drives so you only have one as sda?
And is it sda, or is installer sda?

seanbw2
June 8th, 2016, 09:42 PM
I think it is a bios pc. Reason I say so is because I hae looked at the syslog and can find no massive mention of EFI.
I will google a test to check for EFIness.
I can take the three other disks out but the problem as I saw it was a way to install thebootloader and make it sticky using the live cd as I am using now.
I have now taken the three hdd out but I still don't know how to make the sudo grub-update code sticky.

You lost me here: And is it sda, or is installer sda?
The installer is actually an sd card at /de/sdf.


device fs_type label mount point UUID
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/dev/sda2 ext4 (not mounted) 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
/dev/sdb1 ext4 GenG1610T002 (not mounted) fc5f2e1a-32a0-4b72-971f-28828ef1cd42
/dev/sdc1 ext4 GenG1610T003 (not mounted) c41de965-ebea-4229-a2b0-e514be69bf67
/dev/sdd1 ext4 GenG1610T004 (not mounted) 4ffe7ed7-6381-421c-bc93-1bec6448ee37
/dev/sde1 vfat GENG1610TSD /cdrom 17FF-395B
/dev/ram0 (not mounted)
/dev/ram1 (not mounted)
/dev/ram2 (not mounted)
/dev/ram3 (not mounted)
/dev/ram4 (not mounted)
/dev/ram5 (not mounted)
/dev/ram6 (not mounted)
/dev/ram7 (not mounted)
/dev/ram8 (not mounted)
/dev/ram9 (not mounted)
/dev/ram10 (not mounted)
/dev/ram11 (not mounted)
/dev/ram12 (not mounted)
/dev/ram13 (not mounted)
/dev/ram14 (not mounted)
/dev/ram15 (not mounted)
/dev/loop0 /rofs
/dev/sda1 (not mounted)
/dev/sda3 [SWAP]
/dev/sdf1 /media/ubuntu/VID
/dev/sdg1 (not mounted)
/dev/sdg5 [SWAP]
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$

The /de/ramX I have no clue what they are. Memory is 16GB so it may be ram

boot-repair info is here: http://paste2.org/MNJcf35p which I reproduce below:
Apologies for the long paste but I genuinely cannot find anywhere to cut off confidently


Paste2 (http://paste2.org/)
Create Paste (http://paste2.org/)
Followup Paste (http://paste2.org/MNJcf35p/followup)
QR (http://paste2.org/MNJcf35p/qr)
Boot Info Script cfd9efe + Boot-Repair extra info [Boot-Info 26Apr2016]


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

=> Grub2 (v2.00) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector 2048
of the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and
looks for (,gpt2)/boot/grub. It also embeds following components:

modules
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
fshelp ext2 part_gpt biosdisk
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb.
=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdc.
=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdd.
=> Syslinux MBR (5.00 and higher) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sde.
=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdf.
=> Grub2 (v2.00) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdg and looks at sector 1 of
the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and looks
for (,msdos1)/boot/grub. It also embeds following components:

modules
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
fshelp ext2 part_msdos biosdisk
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

sda1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system:
Boot sector type: Grub2's core.img
Boot sector info:
Mounting failed: mount: unknown filesystem type ''

sda2: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
Boot files: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab
/boot/grub/i386-pc/core.img

sda3: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sdc1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sdd1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sde1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: SYSLINUX 6.03
Boot sector info: Syslinux looks at sector 30840 of /dev/sde1 for its
second stage. The integrity check of Syslinux failed.
No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /syslinux.cfg /casper/vmlinuz.efi
/EFI/BOOT/grubx64.efi /ldlinux.sys

sdf1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: FAT32
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sdf1 starts
at sector 0. But according to the info from fdisk,
sdf1 starts at sector 63. According to the info in the
boot sector, sdf1 has 524224 sectors.. But according
to the info from the partition table, it has 514016
sectors.
Operating System:
Boot files:

sdg1: __________________________________________________ ________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
Boot files: /etc/fstab /boot/grub/i386-pc/core.img

sdg2: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

sdg5: __________________________________________________ ________________________

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

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

Drive: sda __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sda: 3.7 TiB, 4000787030016 bytes, 7814037168 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disklabel type: gpt

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sda1 1 4,294,967,295 4,294,967,295 ee GPT


GUID Partition Table detected.

Partition Attrs Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors System
/dev/sda1 2,048 4,095 2,048 Data partition (Linux)
/dev/sda2 4,096 7,780,554,751 7,780,550,656 Data partition (Linux)
/dev/sda3 7,780,554,752 7,814,035,455 33,480,704 Swap partition (Linux)

Attributes: R=Required, N=No Block IO, B=Legacy BIOS Bootable, +=More bits set

Drive: sdb __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sdb: 3.7 TiB, 4000787030016 bytes, 7814037168 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disklabel type: gpt

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdb1 1 4,294,967,295 4,294,967,295 ee GPT


GUID Partition Table detected.

Partition Attrs Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors System
/dev/sdb1 2,048 7,814,035,455 7,814,033,408 Data partition (Linux)

Attributes: R=Required, N=No Block IO, B=Legacy BIOS Bootable, +=More bits set

Drive: sdc __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sdc: 3.7 TiB, 4000787030016 bytes, 7814037168 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disklabel type: gpt

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdc1 1 4,294,967,295 4,294,967,295 ee GPT


GUID Partition Table detected.

Partition Attrs Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors System
/dev/sdc1 2,048 7,814,037,134 7,814,035,087 Data partition (Linux)

Attributes: R=Required, N=No Block IO, B=Legacy BIOS Bootable, +=More bits set

Drive: sdd __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sdd: 3.7 TiB, 4000787030016 bytes, 7814037168 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disklabel type: gpt

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdd1 1 4,294,967,295 4,294,967,295 ee GPT


GUID Partition Table detected.

Partition Attrs Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors System
/dev/sdd1 2,048 7,814,037,134 7,814,035,087 Data partition (Linux)

Attributes: R=Required, N=No Block IO, B=Legacy BIOS Bootable, +=More bits set

Drive: sde __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sde: 60.1 GiB, 64490569728 bytes, 125958144 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sde1 * 2,048 125,958,143 125,956,096 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)


Drive: sdf __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sdf: 256 MiB, 268435456 bytes, 524288 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdf1 63 514,079 514,017 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)


Drive: sdg __________________________________________________ ___________________
Disk /dev/sdg: 298.1 GiB, 320072933376 bytes, 625142448 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdg1 2,048 591,659,007 591,656,960 83 Linux
/dev/sdg2 591,661,054 625,141,759 33,480,706 5 Extended
/dev/sdg5 591,661,056 625,141,759 33,480,704 82 Linux swap / Solaris


"blkid" output: __________________________________________________ ______________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda1
/dev/sda2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 ext4
/dev/sda3 82a5e0e3-9828-44f7-94e2-5376bf0fadf1 swap
/dev/sdb1 fc5f2e1a-32a0-4b72-971f-28828ef1cd42 ext4 GenG1610T002
/dev/sdc1 c41de965-ebea-4229-a2b0-e514be69bf67 ext4 GenG1610T003
/dev/sdd1 4ffe7ed7-6381-421c-bc93-1bec6448ee37 ext4 GenG1610T004
/dev/sde1 17FF-395B vfat GENG1610TSD
/dev/sdf1 55BA-8E92 vfat VID
/dev/sdg1 ff062a65-1aaf-4172-a35a-13a6a85e87c4 ext4
/dev/sdg5 d33d22aa-945d-4ed1-a710-ed6c7f379708 swap

========================= "ls -l /dev/disk/by-id" output: ======================

total 0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HCC543232A7A380_E203421L16RUYP -> ../../sdg
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HCC543232A7A380_E203421L16RUYP-part1 -> ../../sdg1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HCC543232A7A380_E203421L16RUYP-part2 -> ../../sdg2
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HCC543232A7A380_E203421L16RUYP-part5 -> ../../sdg5
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HDS5C4040ALE630_PL1321LAGB3H5H -> ../../sda
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HDS5C4040ALE630_PL1321LAGB3H5H-part1 -> ../../sda1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HDS5C4040ALE630_PL1321LAGB3H5H-part2 -> ../../sda2
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HDS5C4040ALE630_PL1321LAGB3H5H-part3 -> ../../sda3
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HDS5C4040ALE630_PL2331LAGAP1AJ -> ../../sdb
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-Hitachi_HDS5C4040ALE630_PL2331LAGAP1AJ-part1 -> ../../sdb1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 ata-ST4000DM000-1F2168_Z3015TFR -> ../../sdd
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-ST4000DM000-1F2168_Z3015TFR-part1 -> ../../sdd1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 ata-ST4000DM000-1F2168_Z3015TR7 -> ../../sdc
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 ata-ST4000DM000-1F2168_Z3015TR7-part1 -> ../../sdc1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 usb-HP_iLO_Internal_SD-CARD_000002660A01-0:0 -> ../../sde
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 usb-HP_iLO_Internal_SD-CARD_000002660A01-0:0-part1 -> ../../sde1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:13 usb-HP_iLO_LUN_01_Media_0_000002660A01-0:1 -> ../../sdf
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:13 usb-HP_iLO_LUN_01_Media_0_000002660A01-0:1-part1 -> ../../sdf1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000c5006575dccd -> ../../sdd
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000c5006575dccd-part1 -> ../../sdd1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000c500657623cb -> ../../sdc
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000c500657623cb-part1 -> ../../sdc1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca22ec4dab4 -> ../../sdb
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca22ec4dab4-part1 -> ../../sdb1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca22ec50d2e -> ../../sda
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca22ec50d2e-part1 -> ../../sda1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca22ec50d2e-part2 -> ../../sda2
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca22ec50d2e-part3 -> ../../sda3
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca706d12775 -> ../../sdg
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca706d12775-part1 -> ../../sdg1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca706d12775-part2 -> ../../sdg2
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jun 8 20:49 wwn-0x5000cca706d12775-part5 -> ../../sdg5

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)
/dev/sde1 /cdrom vfat (ro,noatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=437,ioc harset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sdf1 /media/ubuntu/VID vfat (ro,nosuid,nodev,relatime,uid=999,gid=999,fmask=00 22,dmask=0022,codepage=437,iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,showexec,utf8,flush,errors=remou nt-ro,uhelper=udisks2)


=========================== sda2/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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
set default="${next_entry}"
set next_entry=
save_env next_entry
set boot_once=true
else
set default="Advanced options for Ubuntu>Ubuntu, with Linux 4.4.0-21-generic"
fi

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

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 {
if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
insmod all_video
else
insmod efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod ieee1275_fb
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
fi
}

insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
if loadfont /boot/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
set lang=en_GB
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
set timeout=30
else
if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
set timeout_style=menu
set timeout=10
# Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
else
set timeout=10
fi
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 ###
function gfxmode {
set gfxpayload="${1}"
if [ "${1}" = "keep" ]; then
set vt_handoff=vt.handoff=7
else
set vt_handoff=
fi
}
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
menuentry 'Ubuntu' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185' {
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-22-generic root=UUID=2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-22-generic
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Ubuntu' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185' {
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.4.0-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.4.0-22-generic-advanced-2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185' {
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.4.0-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-22-generic root=UUID=2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.4.0-22-generic (upstart)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.4.0-22-generic-init-upstart-2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185' {
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.4.0-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-22-generic root=UUID=2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff init=/sbin/upstart
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.4.0-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.4.0-22-generic-recovery-2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185' {
recordfail
load_video
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.4.0-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-22-generic root=UUID=2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.4.0-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.4.0-21-generic-advanced-2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185' {
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.4.0-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-21-generic root=UUID=2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-21-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.4.0-21-generic (upstart)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.4.0-21-generic-init-upstart-2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185' {
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.4.0-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-21-generic root=UUID=2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff init=/sbin/upstart
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-21-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.4.0-21-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.4.0-21-generic-recovery-2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185' {
recordfail
load_video
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.4.0-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-21-generic root=UUID=2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-21-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_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
knetbsd /boot/memtest86+.elf
}
menuentry 'Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)' {
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185
fi
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/30_uefi-firmware ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###

### 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 ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda2/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>
# / was on /dev/sde2 during installation
UUID=2fdc85b0-4f3a-454d-93fa-85c02fe26185 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sde3 during installation
UUID=82a5e0e3-9828-44f7-94e2-5376bf0fadf1 none swap sw 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

2776.735961914 = 2981.497536512 boot/grub/grub.cfg 1
2776.729312897 = 2981.490397184 boot/grub/i386-pc/core

QIII
June 8th, 2016, 10:15 PM
@seanbw2:

Please use code tags rather than quote tags for long output:

1. If you are using the "Reply to Thread" button - highlight text and use the # button in the text box header. Alternatively, click the # button first, place your cursor between the code tags and type or paste your text.

2. If using "Quick Reply" then type
at the beginning and at the end. The square brackets are required.

seanbw2
June 8th, 2016, 10:48 PM
================================================== =================================
=================== Suggested repair
The default repair of the Boot-Repair utility would purge (in order to) and reinstall the grub2 of sda2 into the MBRs of all disks (except USB without OS).
The boot flag would be placed on sda1.
Additional repair would be performed: unhide-bootmenu-10s repair-filesystems


=================== Blockers in case of suggested repair
GPT detected. Please create a BIOS-Boot partition (>1MB, unformatted filesystem, bios_grub flag). This can be performed via tools such as Gparted. Then try again.


=================== Final advice in case of suggested repair
Please do not forget to make your BIOS boot on sda (4001GB) disk!
================================================== ===============================

The suggested repair indicated by boot-repair will not work for the simple reason that I have tried it both using gui and cli and the same things happen. The installation to sdg defaults to a i386 mode which suggests msdos which creates a disconnection between sda and sdg.
Even if I give up and install to sda and boot from sda, I still get drooped into a grub rescue prompt.


Q: can I copy the grub structure from sda to sdg? Will that work?

@QIII (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=628170) : cool. I have edited the very long post. It looks better and less frightening ;)
Thanks

oldfred
June 8th, 2016, 11:41 PM
With link we really do not need it posted.

You cannot copy MBR from gpt drive to a MBR drive.
MBR has core.img hidden in the sectors after the MBR.
Gpt has core.img in the bios_grub partition.

I probably would have also used gpt on sdg, even though not required. But that also then would require the bios_grub partition.

You now show a full install on sda as well as sdg.
The grub in sdg is looking for files on sda. But I would think it still should boot.

Do you have UEFI/BIOS set to boot in BIOS boot mode? Not IDE nor RAID?

Do not run the auto fix with Boot-Repair.
You can run advanced mode, choose install in sdg, and install grub to only sdg. And the full uninstall/reinstall grub option.

Does sda1 install boot?

seanbw2
June 9th, 2016, 01:25 AM
The installer is on /dev/sdf and i am trying to install to /dev/sdg.
phew


With link we really do not need it posted.

You cannot copy MBR from gpt drive to a MBR drive.
MBR has core.img hidden in the sectors after the MBR.
Gpt has core.img in the bios_grub partition.

I probably would have also used gpt on sdg, even though not required. But that also then would require the bios_grub partition.

I don't understand how sdg is not gpt. I used GParted on all disks.


You now show a full install on sda as well as sdg.

Yes I tried to install to sda first, it won't boot but went to grub rescue. Tried boot-repair and installed to all drives. Booted and still sent into grub rescue prompt so I gave up and installed to sdg in the hope that I can make HP boot from sdg by using the BIOS option in the BIOS menu allowing thre system to boot from the second esata controller.
I have not been able to get the system boot after that. It still went into grub rescue.


The grub in sdg is looking for files on sda. But I would think it still should boot.

I think the mismatch is the issue - no? From sda - it is looking for gpt entries in sdg and from sdg looking for msdos in sda?


Do you have UEFI/BIOS set to boot in BIOS boot mode? Not IDE nor RAID?

No I have AHCI boot. I have three options in this pc - AHCI, Legacy and HP Raid. Raid is a non contender because my plan is to use Snapraid, mergerfs and pool.


Do not run the auto fix with Boot-Repair.

No fear. I shan't. I have run it prior. It did not work. Not its fault. At that point I had 14 drives it was working through.


You can run advanced mode, choose install in sdg, and install grub to only sdg. And the full uninstall/reinstall grub option.

You are suggesting install grub to sdg. Uninstall grub from sda?


Does sda1 install boot?

Yes I have tried before deciding on sdg. It still went to grub rescue mode.

Just thinking aloud. I can boot into live sd card OK. Should I reinstall to sdg after using GParted to delete, format and partition using GPT?
Is that a step forward?
i.e.
using Live CD - Run GParted and delete existing partition on sda and sdg
Still using GParted - format both drives - using same values GPT and ext4
Using the Install from Live CD option - install to sdg.
Leave sda empty but if my experience is same - Live CD will still put pointers on sda because HP forces it to.

Is this worth a try?

I went ahead and tried it.
Got the same I can't install bootloader to sdgX.
Ran bbot-repair and reinstalled to sdg.
BootInfo pastebin link is : http://paste2.org/v85PXhCy
It is asking me to reboot but I don't think so yet.

oldfred
June 9th, 2016, 04:48 AM
Your sdg is still MBR.
To get gpt you have to select in gparted before anything else, select gpt under device, advanced & select gpt over msdos(MBR) default partitioning....

If you partition in advance, then you have to have the bios_grub 1 or 2MB unformatted partition for grub to correctly install.
And only with Something Else do you get option on where to install grub, and that should always be a drive like sdg, never a partition like sdg1.

AHCI is correct. And a few BIOS require a boot flag on a partition. Grub does not use boot flag, only Windows & syslinux. But a few BIOS seem to only know about Windows and must see the boot flag. But BIOS boot flag is not the same as UEFI/gpt boot flag.

With gpt the boot flag should only be on an ESP - efi system partition.

Since I knew I was eventually going to convert to a newer UEFI system, I started putting both the ESP and bios_grub on new drives well before my first UEFI system.
If it wants boot flag, then add a small 100MB ESP, FAT32 formatted with gpt. It probably should be first partition on drive as that is UEFI recommendation.

For the Total space you want for Ubuntu:
Ubuntu's standard install is just / (root) & swap, but it is better to add another partition for /home if allocating over 30GB.:
Only if gpt - all partitions in gpt are primary (no logicals):
gpt: 300 MB efi FAT32 w/boot flag (for UEFI boot or future use for UEFI, you only can have one per drive, so if already existing do not attempt another)
gpt: 1 or 2 MB No Format w/bios_grub flag (for BIOS boot not required for UEFI)
for gpt(GUID) or MBR(msdos) partitioning
Ubuntu partitions - smaller root only where hard drive space is limited.
If total space less than about 30 to 50GB just use / not separate /home or standard install.



20-25+ GB Mountpoint / primary or logical beginning ext4
all but 2 GB Mountpoint /home logical beginning ext4
2 GB Mountpoint swap logical

Depending on how much memory you have you may not absolutely need swap but having some is still recommended. I do not hibernate (boots fast enough for me) but if hibernating then you need swap equal to RAM in GiB not GB. And if dual booting with windows a shared NTFS partition is also recommended. But you usually cannot create that as part of the install, just leave some space. Or partition in advance (recommended).
One advantage of partitioning in advance is that the installer will use the swap space to speed up the install. Thanks Herman for the tip.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DiskSpace
suggested partitions for just Ubuntu on 3TB drive.
http://askubuntu.com/questions/336439/any-problems-with-this-partition-scheme
Another advanced suggestion from TheFu with Multiple / (root) - Post #5 similar to what I actually do
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2170308
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2021534

Just noticed this:
Matrox Electronics Systems Ltd. MGA G200EH [102b:0533]

Are you sure it is not booting, but you have video issues? With only one install grub menu is not shown unless you hold shift key, and it goes right on to booting system.

Some suggestions here on Matrox driver fixes:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xorg-server/+bug/1316035

seanbw2
June 9th, 2016, 06:11 PM
Boot Info incase I have really messed up my system: http://paste2.org/mme7ZPBt

oldfred
June 9th, 2016, 07:58 PM
Now you have two ESP - efi system partitions on sdg. Most UEFI, do not like two ESPs.
Only one ESP or FAT32 partition with the boot flag per device. And that is for UEFI boot. Neither of yours are shown as FAT32?
And/or one bios_grub partition for BIOS boot.



/dev/sdg1 10,240 562,636,799 562,626,560 EFI System partition
/dev/sdg2 2,048 10,239 8,192 EFI System partition



See post #8 above on how I normally partition.
Oldfred's current partitions Dec 2015
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2305833&p=13404413#post13404413

seanbw2
June 9th, 2016, 09:04 PM
Thanks Oldfred. What I am doing is:
Reboot - Done
Delete partitions sda and sdg
Using Gparted - make sdg a gpt drive. I tried to use GParted to repartition sdg into grub_bios, main and swap partitions but I ran into a problem. using GParted to create a grub_bios partition created a 1MB partition in front of the grub_bios partition i.e. sdg2 (grub_bios) 5MB resulted in sdg2 and sdg6 where both are grub_bios but sdg2 is 1 MB less than before I started and that 1 MB is used to create sdg6 (say) so I will try and use the ubuntu partition manager this time.
Which means - I will use GParted to make sdg a GPT drive but use Ubuntu partition manager to create the other partitions.
install Ubuntu Live session on sdg and put the bootloader on /dev/sdg not sdg1
(sdg has now become sdh because of drive I am using to backup)
Apologies but I think I am confused.


Since I knew I was eventually going to convert to a newer UEFI system, I started putting both the ESP and bios_grub on new drives well before my first UEFI system.
If it wants boot flag, then add a small 100MB ESP, FAT32 formatted with gpt. It probably should be first partition on drive as that is UEFI recommendation.

Does this not result in 4 partitions?
sdg1 = 300mb for bios_grub (GParted will not allow the same partition to carry both flags i.e. bios_grub and boot
sdg2=30GB for swap
sdg1 =ext4 mounted as / main ubuntu installation partition
where does esp go? if I hive 100mb off sdg2 as esp - this makes 4 partitions.

seanbw2
June 9th, 2016, 09:15 PM
269491
This is what I am ending up with.
1MB free space from creating bios_grub from initial 300mb unformatted partition, then 300MB bios_grub partition, 301GB / ubuntu/home partition and finally 15GB swap partition.
Where does the esp go?
I am holding off the installation until I am definite as I think i am on the cusp of a final solution (well then the battle of making HP boot to sdg starts but that is a familiar battle)
So waiting for guidance/assistance at this point. Many thanks to everybody that have chipped in to help. It is a refreshing change from prior atempts.

oldfred
June 9th, 2016, 09:28 PM
Is the installer calling the gparted bios_grub partition biosgrub. That would just be the same partition. Grub on gpt partitioned drives needs a unformatted partition of 1 or 2MB.

You can have a 100-300MB partition formatted FAT32 with boot flag (ESP). That would only be used for UEFI boot, but good to have on drive if later you convert that drive to UEFI boot. It is recommended by UEFI to be first on drive and that can be difficult to add once drive has lots of data. If not using it now, make it only 100MB.

For BIOS boot you must have a 1 or 2MB unformatted partition with the bios_grub flag.

Then how you boot installer is how either is used. If you boot installer in UEFI mode the ESP is used. If you boot installer in BIOS mode, then the bios_grub partition is used.

This is all the same as I posted in post #8. I always create ESP, bios_grub, / (root) & swap with gparted and using gpt. And never had any issues.

Partitions should end up like mine:

Partition Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors System
/dev/sda1 2,048 1,026,047 1,024,000 EFI System partition
/dev/sda2 1,026,048 1,030,143 4,096 BIOS Boot partition
/dev/sda3 1,030,144 52,229,362 51,199,219 Data partition (Linux)
/dev/sda4 246,163,456 250,068,991 3,905,536 Swap partition (Linux)

seanbw2
June 9th, 2016, 10:05 PM
Thank you. It seemed clear enough. I just wanted to be sure.
lack of confidence I guess.
So I will now extend the existing free space, format it FAT32 with boot flag but it will not be used for now.
The other partitions are OK looking at your setup.
Ok. deep breath and ...

seanbw2
June 9th, 2016, 10:55 PM
Wow . Installation finished wit no error messages.
First thing is to test that I can boot into sdg using the bios set by HP.
Oldfred - I am grateful. Many thanks.
Let me try and boot into sdg from startup.

seanbw2
June 9th, 2016, 11:31 PM
after a few niggles with HP, I am now logging into sdg straight from boot.
Thanks Oldfred.Much obliged.
Now to get my fstab setup properly with my 14 hard disks and counting.
I shall mark this thread solved.
Cheers

sean

oldfred
June 9th, 2016, 11:47 PM
Glad you got it working.

If you have issues with fstab or mounting post a new thread. I only know standard partitions not RAID nor any special server type configurations.