Grub 2 Basics

[drs305]

I've been doing some comparisons between two separate Lucid installs on my machine and I have an anomaly.

I'm wondering if I should file a bug report?

I just updated today and chose the maintainer's version. It matches your second entry, which has been the standard. I don't know how your first entry was created, but since the second (latest) is correct, unless you can duplicate the first one I wouldn't file a bug quite yet.

[ranch hand]

Where these installed before or after the recent grub updates?

If before, I would remove and install grub and see what happens. I would save a copy of all the files pertaining to grub.

I had to reinstall grub on one of my installs because it was having trouble replacing some of the files. The rest of the installs had no problem.

[mhenriday]

Would you please post the full output from the Boot Info Script as described here:

http://bootinfoscript.sourceforge.net/

...

Thanks for the reply, kansasnoob ! Below the contents of the RESULT.txt file created by following the instructions at SourceForge :

Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for /boot/grub.
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for /boot/grub.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows Vista
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /boot/bcd /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /boot/BCD

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sdb1 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location.
Operating System: Ubuntu lucid (development
branch)
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab
/boot/grub/core.img

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 120,0 GB, 120034123776 byte
255 huvuden, 63 sektorer/spår, 14593 cylindrar, totalt 234441648 sektorer
Enheter = sektorer av 1 · 512 = 512 byte
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 * 63 221,761,259 221,761,197 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 221,761,260 234,436,544 12,675,285 7 HPFS/NTFS


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 120,0 GB, 120034123776 byte
255 huvuden, 63 sektorer/spår, 14593 cylindrar, totalt 234441648 sektorer
Enheter = sektorer av 1 · 512 = 512 byte
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 63 224,829,674 224,829,612 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 224,829,675 234,436,544 9,606,870 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 224,829,738 234,436,544 9,606,807 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 72746DD9746DA099 ntfs OS
/dev/sda2 2C88743C8874071C ntfs HP_RECOVERY
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ext4
/dev/sdb2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb5 32898ee4-5c34-426e-aace-b9afceccc9f5 swap
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

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


=========================== 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 10

## 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=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd1,0)

## 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=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=2

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## 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 karmic (development branch), kernel 2.6.31-13-generic
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-13-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-13-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu karmic (development branch), kernel 2.6.31-13-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-13-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-13-generic

title Ubuntu karmic (development branch), kernel 2.6.31-12-generic
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-12-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-12-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu karmic (development branch), kernel 2.6.31-12-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-12-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-12-generic

title Chainload into GRUB 2
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/grub/core.img

title Ubuntu karmic (development branch), memtest86+
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

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

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/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
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 ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=sv
insmod gettext
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=5
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 ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.32-17-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.32-17-generic (återställningsläge)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
echo Läser in Linux 2.6.32-17-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro single
echo Läser in initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.32-16-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.32-16-generic (återställningsläge)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
echo Läser in Linux 2.6.32-16-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro single
echo Läser in initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.31-20-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.31-20-generic (återställningsläge)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
echo Läser in Linux 2.6.31-20-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro single
echo Läser in initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
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)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 72746dd9746da099
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 2c88743c8874071c
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 ###

=============================== sdb1/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sdb1
UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 / ext4 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sdb5
UUID=32898ee4-5c34-426e-aace-b9afceccc9f5 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


106.3GB: boot/grub/core.img
73.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
73.2GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
106.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
106.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
106.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
106.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic
106.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic
106.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic
106.5GB: initrd.img.old
106.4GB: vmlinuz.old

From what I can see, the problem seems to manifest itself here :

Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.

I e, the fact that «core.img» is not found. Any suggestions as to how this defect can be remedied ? Hope the above will suffice for you - or some other fellow user - to point me in the right direction !...

Henri

[oyo]

You can take a more agressive approach by disabling the recordfail check in /etc/grub.d/00_header.

Thanks for the hint. I did that and commented out two more lines in 10_linux that did something with recordfail.

#recordfail=1
#if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi

That works, i'd only like to find out why this is happening. I always shut down the vm with "sudo poweroff" before i do the same to the host.

[kansasnoob]

@mhenriday,

First I'll review what I see and make a few comments:

I can see here that grub2 is installed to the mbr of both drives (and that should be fine):

=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for /boot/grub.
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for /boot/grub.

On both sda1 and sda2 you show:

Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.

So I assume at some point you tried to install grub2 to those partitions rather than an mbr. That may or may not cause a problem, I'm inclined to think NOT because your boot files/directories look alright on sda1:

Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /boot/bcd /Windows/System32/winload.exe

Where I see the most obvious of problems is with your Lucid on sdb1:

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sdb1 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location.
Operating System: Ubuntu lucid (development
branch)
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab
/boot/grub/core.img

Of course it shows the "core.img can not be found" error, I assume once again that you tried to install grub2 to that partition rather than an mbr, but having both a menu.lst and a grub.cfg really tends to hinder the performance of either legacy grub or grub2.

Just to clarify "menu.lst" is a component of legacy grub, whereas "grub.cfg" is a component of grub2. Further, just so you'll understand, both legacy grub and grub2 use the package "grub-common". The proper package name for grub2 is "grub-pc", and the package name for legacy grub is just "grub".

Anyway to clean up the most obvious problem you'll need to boot into Ubuntu and backup the old /boot/grub directory, create a new one, purge some packages and their configuration files, then reinstall and reconfigure the correct packages. No sweat, I'll give you the commands so you can just copy-n-paste.

But I wonder if it's possible for you to select whether drive sda (the Windows drive) or sdb (the Ubuntu drive) boots first? I can see that both drives are 120GB but don't know if they're both IDE, both SATA, or a mix of the two?

I'm always reluctant to send someone inside their computer changing cables and such, and it's really not necessary. But one way we could determine if Vista will boot under it's own power is restore a generic Windows mbr to sda and just see if Windows will boot.

Of course that may, or most probably will, leave Ubuntu unbootable, so i need to know that you have an Ubuntu Live CD. The version doesn't really matter just so long as you know it runs OK so we can restore grub2 to the mbr of sda if needed.

Have I confused you yet? For the most part make sure you have an Ubuntu Live CD that you know will run!

To fix the mixed grub2 and legacy grub files/directories boot into Ubuntu & run the following commands:

sudo mv /boot/grub /boot/grub_backup

sudo mkdir /boot/grub

Note: purging the following packages you may see "not installed so not removed", that's OK.

sudo apt-get --purge remove startupmanager

sudo apt-get --purge remove grub

sudo apt-get --purge remove grub-pc

sudo apt-get --purge remove grub-common

Now we reinstall & reconfigure:

sudo apt-get install grub-pc

sudo update-grub

Wait for it to say done! Then:

sudo grub-install /dev/sda

sudo grub-install /dev/sdb

Note: If either of the last two commands returns an error use the command "sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sdX", of course replacing X with either "a" or "b" as appropriate.

Then just see if Windows will now boot. If not then I need to know for sure that you have a Live CD that works and we'll try a generic Windows mbr.

[mhenriday]

Thanks for staying with me here, kansasnoob - and for your very pedagogical instructions, which even I could follow ! Interestingly enough, when I ran

sudo apt-get --purge remove grub

I got a message to the effect that GRUB not being installed, there was nothing to remove. Be that as it may, I opted to follow your instructions to the letter and remove and then reinstall «grub-pc» and «grub-common». As you can see from the RESULTS1.txt file which I reproduce below, this did indeed succeed in removing the «/boot/grub/menu.lst» path from the Boot files/dirs under /sdb1:

Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for /boot/grub.
=> Grub 2 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb and looks on the same drive in
partition #1 for /boot/grub.

sda1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda1 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System: Windows Vista
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /boot/bcd /Windows/System32/winload.exe

sda2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sda2 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location. No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /boot/BCD

sdb1: __________________________________________________ _______________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub 2
Boot sector info: Grub 2 is installed in the boot sector of sdb1 and
looks at sector 207620287 of the same hard drive for
core.img, but core.img can not be found at this
location.
Operating System: Ubuntu lucid (development
branch)
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sdb2: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________ _______________________

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

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

Drive: sda ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sda: 120,0 GB, 120034123776 byte
255 huvuden, 63 sektorer/spår, 14593 cylindrar, totalt 234441648 sektorer
Enheter = sektorer av 1 · 512 = 512 byte
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 * 63 221,761,259 221,761,197 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 221,761,260 234,436,544 12,675,285 7 HPFS/NTFS


Drive: sdb ___________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Disk /dev/sdb: 120,0 GB, 120034123776 byte
255 huvuden, 63 sektorer/spår, 14593 cylindrar, totalt 234441648 sektorer
Enheter = sektorer av 1 · 512 = 512 byte
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 63 224,829,674 224,829,612 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 224,829,675 234,436,544 9,606,870 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 224,829,738 234,436,544 9,606,807 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: __________________________________________________ __________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 72746DD9746DA099 ntfs OS
/dev/sda2 2C88743C8874071C ntfs HP_RECOVERY
/dev/sda: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb1 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ext4
/dev/sdb2: PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sdb5 32898ee4-5c34-426e-aace-b9afceccc9f5 swap
/dev/sdb: PTTYPE="dos"

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

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


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

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/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
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 ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=sv
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
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.32-17-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.32-17-generic (återställningsläge)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
echo Läser in Linux 2.6.32-17-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro single
echo Läser in initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.32-16-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.32-16-generic (återställningsläge)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
echo Läser in Linux 2.6.32-16-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro single
echo Läser in initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.31-20-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, med Linux 2.6.31-20-generic (återställningsläge)" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
echo Läser in Linux 2.6.31-20-generic ...
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic root=UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 ro single
echo Läser in initial ramdisk ...
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854
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)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 72746dd9746da099
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 2c88743c8874071c
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 ###

=============================== sdb1/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sdb1
UUID=49d4a93f-e82b-4e1b-b84b-6012ae4d9854 / ext4 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sdb5
UUID=32898ee4-5c34-426e-aace-b9afceccc9f5 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

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


106.3GB: boot/grub/core.img
72.7GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
106.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-20-generic
106.4GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-16-generic
106.5GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-17-generic
106.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-20-generic
106.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-16-generic
106.4GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-17-generic
106.5GB: initrd.img.old
106.4GB: vmlinuz.old

So far so good, but alas, just as previously, when I attempt to boot into the Vista loader, the machine reboots and GRUB displays again. So can it go !...

I have - I think ! - a live CD for 64-bit Karmic (I usually wait for the stable version of a new Ubuntu upgrade before burning a CD) and if not I can always burn one, so reconstructing Lucid by upgrading from Karmic would be no problem. Otherwise, I could always try re-installing Vista on sda from my three Vista CDs (thanks, Microsoft !), which would, of course, install that generic Windows MBR that you mention and disable GRUB2 (thanks again, Microsoft !), but it should be possible to recover the latter (I've previously done so for the older version in similar circumstances). Naturally, I'd prefer to resolve the current problem in such a way as to avoid re-installations, but as this laptop is not my main computer (I haven't dared to try upgrading to Lucid on the big box !), loss of data wouldn't constitute an insurmountable problem. So lay on, Macduff ; I'm ready for your suggestions !...

Henri

[kansasnoob]

OK, look what Meierfra wrote here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...&postcount=357

Basically the same as here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

Once you know that repairing the Vista bootsector was successful you may need to restore grub2 to the mbr of sda (probably will) like this:

Boot your Ubuntu Live CD choosing to Try without changes then go to terminal and run the following:

sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt && sudo mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev &&sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc && sudo chroot /mnt

grub-install /dev/sda

If that shows any errors:

grub-install --recheck /dev/sda

Then just:

exit

sudo umount /mnt/dev && sudo umount /mnt/proc && sudo umount /mnt

[gioby]

Thank you very much for the guide, it is very useful.

There is a small typo error in your original post, where you describe 'GRUB SAVEDEFAULT=' you missed a '_':

GRUB SAVEDEFAULT= - If set to true this setting will automatically set the last selected OS from the menu as the default OS on the next boot. No commands need be run to set the default OS.

[drs305]

Gioby,

Thanks for the input. I've corrected the typo.

And welcome to Ubuntu and the Ubuntu Forums.

[cmcginty]

Can you please update your doc to indicate that GRUB_TIMEOUT does not work at this time. There is a bug report on PPA. Thank you.