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Thread: "Error loading operating system"

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    New Zealand
    Beans
    79
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    "Error loading operating system"

    Hello,

    I'm new to both Ubuntu and this forum, so please try to bear with me.

    I have a 500GB HDD with these partitions
    Screenshot.png

    I'm currently using the live CD to boot because when I try to boot to this HDD it simply comes up with the error "Error loading operating system". It was working fine until I started reformatting a different drive with XP on it; since then it has had the error.

    As far as I know I need to reconfigure GRUB to boot to the correct partition, but I do not know how to do this.

    I know that there are already threads about booting/GRUB problems. I have looked at a lot of them but because no one has exactly the same problem as me I do not know what to do.

    I would really appreciate any help,
    Thanks in advance,
    Arachan.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA, USA
    Beans
    2,774
    Distro
    Lubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    Quote Originally Posted by Arachan View Post
    It was working fine until I started reformatting a different drive with XP on it; since then it has had the error.
    Were you formatting /dev/sda1? Is that why GParted says /dev/sda1 is unknown?
    Quote Originally Posted by Arachan View Post
    As far as I know I need to reconfigure GRUB to boot to the correct partition, but I do not know how to do this.
    Was grub on the MBR of the /dev/sda? If so, then the MBR may have been erased if you tried formatting /dev/sda1.
    For Ubuntu 9.10 (which uses grub2) you can reinstall grub2 from the Ubuntu 9.10 live CD like this:
    http://members.iinet.net/~herman546/...B_from_Live_CD
    For older versions of Ubuntu (which use grub-legacy) you can reinstall grub from the Ubuntu live CD like this:
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...highlight=fsck
    If you need more help, post back what version of Ubuntu you are running. And whether it was a clean install or an upgrade from a previous version of Ubuntu.
    Also post what is going on with /dev/sda1 if you know.

    And welcome to the Ubuntu forums!
    Registered Linux User #422464 http://linuxcounter.net/
    Use the search engine that respects your privacy rights: https://startpage.com/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    New Zealand
    Beans
    79
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    The XP I was formatting was on a different HDD, the sda1 partition is just spare (I was going to install XP on it but decided to use another HDD instead). I think when I was running XP then I may have accidentally modified sda1, possibly erasing the MBR.

    As far as I know grub was on the MBR of the /dev/sda. I'm using Ubuntu 9.10 and it was a fresh install. I tried using the steps in the first link you posted, and entered the command:

    sudo grub-setup -d /media/ubuntu/boot/grub -m /media/ubuntu/boot/grub/device.map /dev/sda

    This however returned:

    grub-setup: error: Cannot open `/media/ubuntu/boot/grub/device.map'

    The file does exist but maybe the permissions are wrong?

    What can I do now?

    Thanks for your help
    Arachan.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Beans
    5,193
    Distro
    Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    Let's not speculate as to what you have. We need to see what is on your machine. Let's get a better look at your setup & boot process. Boot the Ubuntu Live CD/USB. Choose "try ubuntu without any changes", when the desktop loads come back here and do the following:

    1. Download the boot info script. There is link in my signature.
    2. Once downloaded move the boot info script to the desktop.
    3. Open a terminal and run the command
    Code:
    sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh
    This will create a RESULTS.txt file on the desktop. Paste the entire contents of that file back here. Once pasted highlight all text and click the # sign on the toolbar to place code tags around the text.

    See here for more info on the boot info script.

    Above link is to meierfra's Sourceforge web page and all credit is his.
    Multi-boot: Arch linux, Ubuntu 12.04, Windows 7 & Windows 8

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    New Zealand
    Beans
    79
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    Okay, thanks. I downloaded and ran the program and here are the results.

    Code:
    ============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================
    
     => Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda
    sda1: _________________________________________________________________________
    
        File system:       vfat
        Boot sector type:  Windows XP: Fat32
        Boot sector info:  No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
        Operating System:  
        Boot files/dirs:   /boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM
    
    sda2: _________________________________________________________________________
    
        File system:       ext4
        Boot sector type:  -
        Boot sector info:  
        Operating System:  Ubuntu 9.10
        Boot files/dirs:   /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab 
                           /boot/grub/core.img
    
    sda3: _________________________________________________________________________
    
        File system:       swap
        Boot sector type:  -
        Boot sector info:  
    
    sda4: _________________________________________________________________________
    
        File system:       ext3
        Boot sector type:  -
        Boot sector info:  
        Operating System:  
        Boot files/dirs:   
    
    =========================== Drive/Partition Info: =============================
    
    Drive: sda ___________________ _____________________________________________________
    
    Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
    255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 sectors
    Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
    Disk identifier: 0xd640d640
    
    Partition  Boot         Start           End          Size  Id System
    
    /dev/sda1                  63    19,535,039    19,534,977   b W95 FAT32
    /dev/sda2    *     19,535,040    39,070,079    19,535,040  83 Linux
    /dev/sda3          39,070,080    42,973,874     3,903,795  82 Linux swap / Solaris
    /dev/sda4          42,973,875   976,768,064   933,794,190  83 Linux
    
    
    blkid -c /dev/null: ____________________________________________________________
    
    Device           UUID                                   TYPE       LABEL                         
    
    /dev/loop0                                              squashfs                                 
    /dev/sda1        18DF-666A                              vfat                                     
    /dev/sda2        023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa   ext4       UBUNTU                        
    /dev/sda3        bec75a0d-5d80-4fa3-b195-9f3a267ea284   swap                                     
    /dev/sda4        08605420-3111-4828-9d89-88c68f87954e   ext3       DATA                          
    
    ============================ "mount | grep ^/dev  output: ===========================
    
    Device           Mount_Point              Type       Options
    
    aufs             /                        aufs       (rw)
    /dev/sr0         /cdrom                   iso9660    (rw)
    /dev/loop0       /rofs                    squashfs   (rw)
    
    
    ================================ sda1/boot.ini: ================================
    
    [boot loader] 
    timeout=30 
    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS 
    [operating systems] 
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect 
    
    =========================== sda2/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================
    
    # menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
    #            grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
    #            grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
    #            and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.
    
    ## default num
    # Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
    # the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
    #
    # You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
    # is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
    # WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
    # array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
    default        0
    
    ## timeout sec
    # Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
    # (normally the first entry defined).
    timeout        5
    
    ## 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=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro
    
    ## default grub root device
    ## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
    # groot=(hd0,1)
    
    ## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
    ## e.g. alternative=true
    ##      alternative=false
    # alternative=true
    
    ## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
    ## e.g. lockalternative=true
    ##      lockalternative=false
    # lockalternative=false
    
    ## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
    ## alternatives
    ## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
    # defoptions=quiet splash
    
    ## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
    ## e.g. lockold=false
    ##      lockold=true
    # lockold=false
    
    ## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
    # xenhopt=
    
    ## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
    # xenkopt=console=tty0
    
    ## altoption boot targets option
    ## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
    ## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
    ##      altoptions=(recovery) single
    # altoptions=(recovery mode) single
    
    ## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
    ## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
    ## alternative kernel options
    ## e.g. howmany=all
    ##      howmany=7
    # howmany=1
    
    ## 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=false
    
    ## 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 9.10, kernel 2.6.31-17-generic
    uuid        023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
    kernel        /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-17-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro quiet splash 
    initrd        /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-17-generic
    
    title        Chainload into GRUB 2
    root        023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
    kernel        /boot/grub/core.img
    
    title        Ubuntu 9.10, memtest86+
    uuid        023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
    kernel        /boot/memtest86+.bin
    
    ### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
    
    =========================== sda2/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 /boot/grub/grubenv ]; then
      have_grubenv=true
      load_env
    fi
    set default="0"
    if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
      saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
      save_env saved_entry
      prev_saved_entry=
      save_env prev_saved_entry
    fi
    insmod ext2
    set root=(hd0,2)
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
    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
    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/white
    ### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
    
    ### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
    menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic" {
            recordfail=1
            if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
        set quiet=1
        insmod ext2
        set root=(hd0,2)
        search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro   quiet splash
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
    }
    menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic (recovery mode)" {
            recordfail=1
            if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
        insmod ext2
        set root=(hd0,2)
        search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro single 
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
    }
    menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic" {
            recordfail=1
            if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
        set quiet=1
        insmod ext2
        set root=(hd0,2)
        search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro   quiet splash
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
    }
    menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)" {
            recordfail=1
            if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
        insmod ext2
        set root=(hd0,2)
        search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro single 
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
    }
    ### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
    
    ### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
    menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
        linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin
    }
    menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
        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/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 ###
    
    =============================== sda2/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    defaults        0       0
    # / was on /dev/sda2 during installation
    UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa /               ext4    errors=remount-ro 0       1
    # /data was on /dev/sda4 during installation
    UUID=2AA3-6D4B  /data           vfat    utf8,umask=007,gid=46 0       1
    # swap was on /dev/sda3 during installation
    UUID=bec75a0d-5d80-4fa3-b195-9f3a267ea284 none            swap    sw              0       0
    /dev/scd0       /media/cdrom0   udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0       0
    
    =================== sda2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
    
    
      10.0GB: boot/grub/core.img
      10.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
      10.0GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
      10.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
      10.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
      10.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-17-generic
      10.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
      10.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic
      10.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-17-generic
      10.0GB: initrd.img
      10.0GB: initrd.img.old
      10.0GB: vmlinuz
      10.0GB: vmlinuz.old
    It seems to think that Windows is installed on the first partition, which was supposed to just free free space. Is this because something that XP did?

    Thanks,
    Arachan.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Beans
    5,193
    Distro
    Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    Quote Originally Posted by Arachan View Post
    Okay, thanks. I downloaded and ran the program and here are the results.

    Code:
    ============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================
    
     => Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda
    sda1: _________________________________________________________________________
    
        File system:       vfat
        Boot sector type:  Windows XP: Fat32
        Boot sector info:  No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
        Operating System:  
        Boot files/dirs:   /boot.ini /ntldr /NTDETECT.COM
    
    sda2: _________________________________________________________________________
    
        File system:       ext4
        Boot sector type:  -
        Boot sector info:  
        Operating System:  Ubuntu 9.10
        Boot files/dirs:   /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab 
                           /boot/grub/core.img
    
    sda3: _________________________________________________________________________
    
        File system:       swap
        Boot sector type:  -
        Boot sector info:  
    
    sda4: _________________________________________________________________________
    
        File system:       ext3
        Boot sector type:  -
        Boot sector info:  
        Operating System:  
        Boot files/dirs:   
    
    =========================== Drive/Partition Info: =============================
    
    Drive: sda ___________________ _____________________________________________________
    
    Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
    255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976773168 sectors
    Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
    Disk identifier: 0xd640d640
    
    Partition  Boot         Start           End          Size  Id System
    
    /dev/sda1                  63    19,535,039    19,534,977   b W95 FAT32
    /dev/sda2    *     19,535,040    39,070,079    19,535,040  83 Linux
    /dev/sda3          39,070,080    42,973,874     3,903,795  82 Linux swap / Solaris
    /dev/sda4          42,973,875   976,768,064   933,794,190  83 Linux
    
    
    blkid -c /dev/null: ____________________________________________________________
    
    Device           UUID                                   TYPE       LABEL                         
    
    /dev/loop0                                              squashfs                                 
    /dev/sda1        18DF-666A                              vfat                                     
    /dev/sda2        023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa   ext4       UBUNTU                        
    /dev/sda3        bec75a0d-5d80-4fa3-b195-9f3a267ea284   swap                                     
    /dev/sda4        08605420-3111-4828-9d89-88c68f87954e   ext3       DATA                          
    
    ============================ "mount | grep ^/dev  output: ===========================
    
    Device           Mount_Point              Type       Options
    
    aufs             /                        aufs       (rw)
    /dev/sr0         /cdrom                   iso9660    (rw)
    /dev/loop0       /rofs                    squashfs   (rw)
    
    
    ================================ sda1/boot.ini: ================================
    
    [boot loader] 
    timeout=30 
    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS 
    [operating systems] 
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect 
    
    =========================== sda2/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================
    
    # menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
    #            grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
    #            grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
    #            and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.
    
    ## default num
    # Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
    # the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
    #
    # You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
    # is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
    # WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
    # array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
    default        0
    
    ## timeout sec
    # Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
    # (normally the first entry defined).
    timeout        5
    
    ## 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=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro
    
    ## default grub root device
    ## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
    # groot=(hd0,1)
    
    ## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
    ## e.g. alternative=true
    ##      alternative=false
    # alternative=true
    
    ## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
    ## e.g. lockalternative=true
    ##      lockalternative=false
    # lockalternative=false
    
    ## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
    ## alternatives
    ## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
    # defoptions=quiet splash
    
    ## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
    ## e.g. lockold=false
    ##      lockold=true
    # lockold=false
    
    ## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
    # xenhopt=
    
    ## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
    # xenkopt=console=tty0
    
    ## altoption boot targets option
    ## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
    ## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
    ##      altoptions=(recovery) single
    # altoptions=(recovery mode) single
    
    ## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
    ## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
    ## alternative kernel options
    ## e.g. howmany=all
    ##      howmany=7
    # howmany=1
    
    ## 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=false
    
    ## 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 9.10, kernel 2.6.31-17-generic
    uuid        023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
    kernel        /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-17-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro quiet splash 
    initrd        /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-17-generic
    
    title        Chainload into GRUB 2
    root        023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
    kernel        /boot/grub/core.img
    
    title        Ubuntu 9.10, memtest86+
    uuid        023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
    kernel        /boot/memtest86+.bin
    
    ### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
    
    =========================== sda2/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 /boot/grub/grubenv ]; then
      have_grubenv=true
      load_env
    fi
    set default="0"
    if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
      saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
      save_env saved_entry
      prev_saved_entry=
      save_env prev_saved_entry
    fi
    insmod ext2
    set root=(hd0,2)
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
    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
    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/white
    ### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
    
    ### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
    menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic" {
            recordfail=1
            if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
        set quiet=1
        insmod ext2
        set root=(hd0,2)
        search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro   quiet splash
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
    }
    menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-16-generic (recovery mode)" {
            recordfail=1
            if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
        insmod ext2
        set root=(hd0,2)
        search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro single 
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
    }
    menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic" {
            recordfail=1
            if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
        set quiet=1
        insmod ext2
        set root=(hd0,2)
        search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro   quiet splash
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
    }
    menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic (recovery mode)" {
            recordfail=1
            if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
        insmod ext2
        set root=(hd0,2)
        search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa
        linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa ro single 
        initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
    }
    ### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
    
    ### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
    menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
        linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin
    }
    menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
        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/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 ###
    
    =============================== sda2/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    defaults        0       0
    # / was on /dev/sda2 during installation
    UUID=023578f6-5766-42e5-af67-ab995737e5aa /               ext4    errors=remount-ro 0       1
    # /data was on /dev/sda4 during installation
    UUID=2AA3-6D4B  /data           vfat    utf8,umask=007,gid=46 0       1
    # swap was on /dev/sda3 during installation
    UUID=bec75a0d-5d80-4fa3-b195-9f3a267ea284 none            swap    sw              0       0
    /dev/scd0       /media/cdrom0   udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0       0
    
    =================== sda2: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
    
    
      10.0GB: boot/grub/core.img
      10.0GB: boot/grub/grub.cfg
      10.0GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
      10.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
      10.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-16-generic
      10.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-17-generic
      10.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
      10.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic
      10.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-17-generic
      10.0GB: initrd.img
      10.0GB: initrd.img.old
      10.0GB: vmlinuz
      10.0GB: vmlinuz.old
    It seems to think that Windows is installed on the first partition, which was supposed to just free free space. Is this because something that XP did?

    Thanks,
    Arachan.
    You need to restore GRUB to MBR of that disk. Boot the ubuntu Live CD (version 9.04) and choose "try ubuntu without any changes." When the desktop loads do this from terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) These directions are for GRUB 0.97:


    1. Type sudo grub. Should get text of which last line is grub>
    2. Type "find /boot/grub/stage1". You'll get a response like "(hd0,1)".
    Use whatever your computer spits out for the following lines.
    3. Type "root (hd0,1)", or whatever your hard disk + boot partition
    numbers are for Ubuntu.
    4. Type "setup (hd0)", to install GRUB to MBR
    5. Quit grub by typing "quit".
    6. Reboot and remove the bootable CD.

    P.S. Don't type the parenthesis in commands such as "root (hd0,1)", instead type root (hd0,1)

    Edit: Just noticed that you have GRUB 0.97 and GRUB2 files on your ubuntu partition. To install GRUB2 boot the 9.10 Live CD , choose 'try ubuntu without any changes." When the desktop loads open a terminal and run
    Code:
    sudo mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
    This will mount your ubuntu partition. Then run in terminal
    Code:
    sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda
    This will put GRUB2 on MBR of your hard disk
    Last edited by presence1960; February 4th, 2010 at 05:47 AM.
    Multi-boot: Arch linux, Ubuntu 12.04, Windows 7 & Windows 8

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    New Zealand
    Beans
    79
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    The only liveCD I have is 9.10, will that still work?

    I tried to run

    Code:
    sudo grub
    but I just get

    Code:
    sudo: grub: command not found
    if I try

    Code:
    grub
    I get

    Code:
    The program 'grub' is currently not installed.  You can install it by typing:
    sudo apt-get install grub
    grub: command not found
    Does this mean something has happened to my grub on sda2? How can I repair it?

    Okay, I just saw your edit. I tried the commands, the mount worked but the second command just returned

    Code:
    sudo: grub-install: command not found
    I take it this also means something is wrong with my grub?

    Thanks,
    Arachan.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Beans
    5,193
    Distro
    Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    Follow my instructions at the bottom of my post after Edit: for installing GRUB2.
    Multi-boot: Arch linux, Ubuntu 12.04, Windows 7 & Windows 8

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    New Zealand
    Beans
    79
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    Yes, I tried that, it returned

    Code:
    sudo: grub-install: command not found
    Is this what you meant?

    Thanks,
    Arachan.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Beans
    5,193
    Distro
    Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr

    Re: "Error loading operating system"

    Quote Originally Posted by Arachan View Post
    Yes, I tried that, it returned

    Code:
    sudo: grub-install: command not found
    Is this what you meant?

    Thanks,
    Arachan.
    No that is not what I meant. Nowhere in my instructions did I say to run sudo grub-install as you tried to do it. here it is again, do this:

    1. Boot the 9.10 Live CD and choose "try ubuntu without any changes" from the menu.

    2. When the desktop loads open a terminal and run
    Code:
    sudo mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
    3. From terminal again run
    Code:
    sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda
    Reboot & you should be good to go.

    Follow those commands EXACTLY- do not remove or add anything to the commands.

    Edit: are you sure that is a 9.10 Live CD? 9.04 and earlier do not support the GRUB2 commands. Only 9.10 and the Lucid alpha Live CDs support GRUB2. If you are getting a grub-install command not found you are either using the wrong version Live CD or you have a faulty CD.
    Since you have both boot files for GRUB Legacy 0.97 and GRUB2 either method I posted will work provided you use the proper version of the Live CD. For GRUB2 it must be a 9.10 Live CD and for legacy GRUB 0.97 it must be a 9.04 or earlier live CD.
    Last edited by presence1960; February 4th, 2010 at 02:49 PM. Reason: add Edit
    Multi-boot: Arch linux, Ubuntu 12.04, Windows 7 & Windows 8

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