would like advice on hard disk format, fdisk -l is given

DavidLee1A · 12-24-2012, 08:49 PM

fdisk -l output:

Code:

root@host:/sbin# fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 320 GB, 320070320640 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System 
/dev/sda1   *           1       37958   304897603   83  Linux
Warning: Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda2           37958       38914     7679070    5  Extended
Warning: Partition 2 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda5           37958       38914     7679070   82  Linux swap
Warning: Partition 5 does not end on cylinder boundary.

Disk /dev/sdb: 320 GB, 320070320640 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System 
/dev/sdb1               1       19548   157019278    7  HPFS/NTFS
Warning: Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sdb2           19548       38914   155557395    5  Extended
Warning: Partition 2 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sdb5           19548       38408   151492950   83  Linux
Warning: Partition 5 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sdb6           38408       38914     4064445   82  Linux swap
Warning: Partition 6 does not end on cylinder boundary.
root@host:/sbin#

1) Which partitioning tool would be the right one to use for the LFS job? (you suggest the tool and I will be happy to study it's use for myself)
fdisk, cfdisk, etc.
2) Have I totally lost the Windows Vista on here? (no big deal) and I can no longer boot into Kubuntu (no big deal either as I am working from a Debian install), I wonder if Kubuntu is on here (Debian install said I could use GRUB to get access to Kubuntu back)?
3) How do you suggest I set up the partitioning scheme for the LFS? More importantly--> Where to I go to learn to make the partitioning decision for myself?

syg00 · 12-24-2012, 09:19 PM

Any of the tools should work fine - cfdisk has a nicer interface; somewhat more intuitive too. However you would do well to invest time learning parted - it is better maintained, and will stand you in good stead in future (gpt disks for example).
Go get bootinfoscript and run it - the output will be most educational. Excellent diagnostic tool.
Post the RESULTS.txt if you need clarification.

As for partitioning schemes, that tends to lead to (mild) flame wars - I'll let others partake in that discussion.

kakaka · 12-24-2012, 09:56 PM

I can take a stab at answering question # 2.

Although there may be some details of the history of your situation that are missing, it sounds like you expect to have 2 Linux systems, and a Vista system, currently, on your disk drives.

It's not really clear to me from your question, how much you already know about partitioning, so I don't really know where to start.

If you notice the asterisk ( * ) in the boot column, that indicates that you have an "active"/"bootable" partition. So you have only one bootable partition, /dev/sda1.

In general principle, /dev/sdb1 appears to be an MS-Windows partition, /dev/sda1 and /dev/sdb5 your two Linux system partitions, with /dev/sda5 and /dev/sdb6 the respective associated swap partitions for the two Linux systems.

Depending on how you are going about trying to boot the other Linux system, or for that matter, the Vista system, you may need to make those partitions active, and potentially add them to a boot menu for another system, in order to boot them conveniently.

In case that's not clear, then based on what you've said, and your fdisk -l output, this would be my guess as to your current partition structure:

Code:

drive sda:
=========
partition sda1:   system partition for Debian system ( THE ONLY "BOOTABLE" PARTITION )

partition sda2;   partition containing other partitions

partition sda5:       inside sda2,  swap partition for debian system




drive sdb:
=========
partition sdb1:   Vista system

partition sdb2;   partition containing other partitions

partition sdb5:       inside sdb2,  system partition for kubuntu system

partition sdb6:       inside sdb2,  swap partition for kubuntu system

So my guess would be that you didn't lose your Vista or kubuntu systems. You've already mentioned that the "Debian" mentioned that use of GRUB. You should be able to add the kubuntu system partition to your GRUB config, for normal Linux boot, and chainload Vista from the GRUB config, to boot Vista.

Hope that helps.

DavidLee1A · 12-24-2012, 10:25 PM

sygOO, very cool tool! Thank you for suggesting it!

Code:

                  Boot Info Script 0.61      [1 April 2012]


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

 => Grub2 (v1.97-1.98) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector 
    1 of the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and 
    looks in partition 1 for (,msdos1)/boot/grub.
 => Windows is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb.

sda1: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext3
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info: 
    Operating System:  Debian GNU/Linux 6.0
    Boot files:        /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sda2: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sdb1: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sdb2: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sdb5: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info: 
    Operating System:  Ubuntu 12.10
    Boot files:        /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab

sdb6: __________________________________________________________________________

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

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

Drive: sda _____________________________________________________________________
GNU Fdisk 1.2.4
Copyright (C) 1998 - 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This program is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,

Partition  Boot  Start Sector    End Sector  # of Sectors  Id System

/dev/sda1    *          2,048   609,781,759   609,779,712  83 Linux
/dev/sda2         609,783,806   625,141,759    15,357,954   5 Extended
/dev/sda5         609,783,808   625,141,759    15,357,952  82 Linux swap / Solaris


Drive: sdb _____________________________________________________________________
GNU Fdisk 1.2.4
Copyright (C) 1998 - 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This program is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,

Partition  Boot  Start Sector    End Sector  # of Sectors  Id System

/dev/sdb1               2,048   314,025,595   314,023,548   7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sdb2         314,025,982   625,141,759   311,115,778   5 Extended
/dev/sdb5         314,025,984   617,017,343   302,991,360  83 Linux
/dev/sdb6         617,019,392   625,141,759     8,122,368  82 Linux swap / Solaris


"blkid" output: ________________________________________________________________

Device           UUID                                   TYPE       LABEL

/dev/sda1        e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2   ext3       
/dev/sda5        e69adf80-f940-4220-9bde-9809e411b626   swap       
/dev/sdb1        EA9A540E9A53D623                       ntfs       DATA
/dev/sdb5        35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2   ext4       
/dev/sdb6        f2b396fb-54dd-490e-8e1c-0d39be786b06   swap       

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

Device           Mount_Point              Type       Options

/dev/sda1        /                        ext3       (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sr0         /media/cdrom0            udf        (ro,noexec,nosuid,nodev,user=learner)


=========================== sda1/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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${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 load_video {
  insmod vbe
  insmod vga
  insmod video_bochs
  insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
  set gfxmode=640x480
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
set timeout=5
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2
insmod png
if background_image /usr/share/images/desktop-base/spacefun-grub.png; then
  set color_normal=light-gray/black
  set color_highlight=white/black
else
  set menu_color_normal=cyan/blue
  set menu_color_highlight=white/blue
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 2.6.32-5-amd64' --class debian --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2
	echo	'Loading Linux 2.6.32-5-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-amd64 root=UUID=e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2 ro  quiet
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-5-amd64
}
menuentry 'Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 2.6.32-5-amd64 (recovery mode)' --class debian --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2
	echo	'Loading Linux 2.6.32-5-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-amd64 root=UUID=e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2 ro single 
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-5-amd64
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### 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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda1/etc/fstab: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid' to print the universally unique identifier for a
# device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name devices
# that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point>   <type>  <options>       <dump>  <pass>
proc            /proc           proc    defaults        0       0
# / was on /dev/sda1 during installation
UUID=e1e062ca-a7dd-432f-83ed-c4ba8b18fff2 /               ext3    errors=remount-ro 0       1
# swap was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=e69adf80-f940-4220-9bde-9809e411b626 none            swap    sw              0       0
/dev/scd0       /media/cdrom0   udf,iso9660 user,noauto     0       0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

           GiB - GB             File                                 Fragment(s)

 278.774570465 = 299.331915776  boot/grub/core.img                             1
 278.790142059 = 299.348635648  boot/grub/grub.cfg                             1
 278.849540710 = 299.412414464  boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-5-amd64                 5
 278.846988678 = 299.409674240  boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-amd64                    2
 278.849540710 = 299.412414464  initrd.img                                     5
 278.846988678 = 299.409674240  vmlinuz                                        2

=========================== sdb5/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
set default="0"

if [ 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
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd1,msdos5'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_US
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
if background_color 75,75,75; then
  clear
fi
### 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 [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
        set linux_gfx_mode=keep
      else
        set linux_gfx_mode=text
      fi
    else
      set linux_gfx_mode=text
    fi
  else
    set linux_gfx_mode=keep
  fi
else
  set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "${linux_gfx_mode}" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Ubuntu' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2' {
recordfail
	gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
	insmod gzio
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd1,msdos5'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
	fi
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-21-generic root=UUID=35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-21-generic
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Ubuntu' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2' {
	menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-3.5.0-21-generic-advanced-35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2' {
	recordfail
		gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd1,msdos5'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 3.5.0-21-generic ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-21-generic root=UUID=35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-21-generic
	}
	menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-21-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-3.5.0-21-generic-recovery-35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2' {
	recordfail
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd1,msdos5'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 3.5.0-21-generic ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-21-generic root=UUID=35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2 ro recovery nomodeset 
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-21-generic
	}
	menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-19-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-3.5.0-19-generic-advanced-35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2' {
	recordfail
		gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd1,msdos5'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 3.5.0-19-generic ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-19-generic root=UUID=35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-19-generic
	}
	menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-19-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-3.5.0-19-generic-recovery-35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2' {
	recordfail
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd1,msdos5'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 3.5.0-19-generic ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-19-generic root=UUID=35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2 ro recovery nomodeset 
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-19-generic
	}
	menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-17-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-3.5.0-17-generic-advanced-35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2' {
	recordfail
		gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd1,msdos5'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 3.5.0-17-generic ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-17-generic root=UUID=35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-17-generic
	}
	menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-17-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-3.5.0-17-generic-recovery-35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2' {
	recordfail
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd1,msdos5'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 3.5.0-17-generic ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-17-generic root=UUID=35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2 ro recovery nomodeset 
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-17-generic
	}
}

### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd1,msdos5'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
	fi
	linux16	/boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd1,msdos5'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos5 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos5 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos5  35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2
	fi
	linux16	/boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry 'Windows Recovery Environment (loader) (on /dev/sda1)' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-1494203A942020AA' {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='hd0,msdos1'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos1 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos1  1494203A942020AA
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 1494203A942020AA
	fi
	drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
	chainloader +1
}
menuentry 'Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda2)' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-7A6C53B06C536643' {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='hd0,msdos2'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos2  7A6C53B06C536643
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 7A6C53B06C536643
	fi
	chainloader +1
}
### 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 ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sdb5/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/sdb5 during installation
UUID=35545d0c-256e-4c25-95c7-87f4e66fdad2 /               ext4    errors=remount-ro 0       1
# swap was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=f2b396fb-54dd-490e-8e1c-0d39be786b06 none            swap    sw              0       0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sdb5: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

           GiB - GB             File                                 Fragment(s)

            ?? = ??             boot/grub/grub.cfg                             1
            ?? = ??             boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-17-generic               3
            ?? = ??             boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-19-generic               1
            ?? = ??             boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-21-generic               1
            ?? = ??             boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-17-generic                  1
            ?? = ??             boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-19-generic                  2
            ?? = ??             boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-21-generic                  1
            ?? = ??             initrd.img                                     1
            ?? = ??             vmlinuz                                        1
            ?? = ??             vmlinuz.old                                    1

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

Unknown BootLoader on sda2

00000000  ef fa c2 78 9b 2b c7 db  ee 10 80 69 ee 5f ff 92  |...x.+.....i._..|
00000010  14 c3 5b 82 99 6b d4 20  5e a4 a2 20 82 35 7b 25  |..[..k. ^.. .5{%|
00000020  0e 38 cd 53 10 31 00 32  79 0c 1e ae 6a 2d 18 4f  |.8.S.1.2y...j-.O|
00000030  3a a0 79 41 23 a4 d6 4c  4c e3 f0 3d 7e ac 2b a9  |:.yA#..LL..=~.+.|
00000040  15 57 15 5b 31 0c 22 b6  61 ee 22 2a 36 e1 8d aa  |.W.[1.".a."*6...|
00000050  90 b5 ba 31 ba c4 26 b7  59 86 0b 37 f9 48 28 fa  |...1..&.Y..7.H(.|
00000060  20 e6 f5 6d de e8 10 da  0c 7c e1 24 a1 c5 02 a3  | ..m.....|.$....|
00000070  ce 4a 7f a4 8e ce 41 17  c5 e0 6e 67 37 e7 bb 28  |.J....A...ng7..(|
00000080  43 e3 18 62 d7 b5 b8 1c  64 12 06 2b 18 88 55 28  |C..b....d..+..U(|
00000090  b8 22 b5 90 a8 e1 15 cb  f7 9d f7 67 d9 e5 42 7b  |.".........g..B{|
000000a0  0f 60 ea fa 7b 13 f5 46  7c 5e 71 b3 b4 9d cc e4  |.`..{..F|^q.....|
000000b0  44 79 ae 17 8d 81 86 2c  58 09 ff 43 72 e8 61 56  |Dy.....,X..Cr.aV|
000000c0  7a 92 6f 84 fe da 34 cc  f9 70 e6 4a 8f 96 96 07  |z.o...4..p.J....|
000000d0  5b a0 2e 65 12 6c 28 ef  4b d2 27 4f e1 4b 67 44  |[..e.l(.K.'O.KgD|
000000e0  c3 ff 2a 5f 69 10 17 df  00 1c 94 23 33 e2 d8 78  |..*_i......#3..x|
000000f0  59 55 5e ce a0 95 90 7d  1f b7 aa 9f 50 b6 f9 b1  |YU^....}....P...|
00000100  fc 22 70 14 1e ee 89 b3  6d 96 75 07 71 96 ce 50  |."p.....m.u.q..P|
00000110  e9 97 95 2b 43 a4 2b 77  a8 db c1 bd c5 6c 4c 48  |...+C.+w.....lLH|
00000120  66 0e 99 1a 00 f1 df cd  2c df 9e f7 dd 17 d5 fd  |f.......,.......|
00000130  cb 74 28 dd e7 6c 4e 62  39 b4 0e 86 9d a0 08 0d  |.t(..lNb9.......|
00000140  a2 9b d7 74 31 90 27 58  53 f6 08 e2 10 1c c4 3a  |...t1.'XS......:|
00000150  41 4a 15 3f 4b c0 5d 40  4c 50 dd 73 c2 d7 88 08  |AJ.?K.]@LP.s....|
00000160  a2 6e 30 f2 5f 0e 28 73  a2 4d d9 4b c9 c5 6a 8b  |.n0._.(s.M.K..j.|
00000170  78 b2 1d 05 c8 93 a9 2c  c6 0f e9 32 56 c5 77 f5  |x......,...2V.w.|
00000180  b5 b3 56 11 e2 90 25 50  de 39 07 aa 6f 62 50 f5  |..V...%P.9..obP.|
00000190  eb bb 6f 1b fb de be fb  99 20 fa fc d3 bc c3 dd  |..o...... ......|
000001a0  01 e4 a3 96 43 5f 63 6b  3a 26 30 d5 1f 9b 54 f2  |....C_ck:&0...T.|
000001b0  66 97 52 31 5d 33 e7 df  2e 34 9d 48 cc 10 00 fe  |f.R1]3...4.H....|
000001c0  ff ff 82 fe ff ff 02 00  00 00 00 58 ea 00 00 00  |...........X....|
000001d0  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  |................|
*
000001f0  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa  |..............U.|
00000200


========= Devices which don't seem to have a corresponding hard drive: =========

sdc sdd sde sdf sdg

Perhaps I can just use the Kubuntu partitions? (labeled Ubuntu) I like the Debian more and it seems a better LFS platform (Kubuntu seems more bloated to me anyway).

syg00 · 12-25-2012, 01:12 AM

Yes you have destroyed the Vista system partition (was on /dev/sda1) when you installed Debian. You should be able to get access to the Kubuntu system from Debian via an update-grub or mkconfig. Up to you whether you want to trash that system - no reason why not I suppose.
Depending on what data resides in that "DATA" (NTFS) partition, you may be able to reclaim that space too.

DavidLee1A · 12-25-2012, 04:03 PM

Taking sygOO advice I used parted to make sdb1 and sdb2 which are for LFS. Does this look usable for the LFS project? I plan to work from the Debian GNU/Linux environment in sda1 to mount sdb1 and continue through the stable LFS manual.

Code:

(parted) print all                                                        
Model: ATA WDC WD3200AAJS-2 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 320GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number  Start   End    Size    Type      File system     Flags
 1      1049kB  312GB  312GB   primary   ext3            boot
 2      312GB   320GB  7863MB  extended
 5      312GB   320GB  7863MB  logical   linux-swap(v1)


Model: ATA WDC WD3200AAJS-2 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 320GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number  Start   End     Size    Type     File system     Flags
 1      1049kB  80.0GB  80.0GB  primary  ext3
 2      308GB   320GB   12.1GB  primary  linux-swap(v1)


(parted)

I also used debugfs to confirm that there were no custom enhancements. Is this correct?

spiky0011 · 12-26-2012, 02:15 AM

Hi

That looks ok swap could be smaller, I like to build a seperate home partition, or if not a home partition a seperate partition for data and link it to home (so if I rebuild I can leave the data partition intact with any data I miight want to keep)
Rule of thumb swap should be twice your ram but even thats not nessecary, you have 12 gig for lfs and 7gig of swap for debain

DavidLee1A · 12-26-2012, 07:31 AM

Thank you spikyOO11! I appreciate the live cd for lfs link you have as well. I am hoping the veteran lfs people will confirm my steps ... all LQ.org lfs comments will add to the learning process. I was liberal with the swap space b/c I have so much free space on an "old" computer (it already had 1 lifetime w/ Windows Vista) ... but has 4G RAM. I don't expect to need the swap much anyway. Thanks again.

druuna · 12-26-2012, 08:24 AM

Partition layouts make great discussion material

They can basically be limited to 3 rough models:
- I don't care: 1 swap partition and 1 partition that uses the rest (or using the distro's defaults, if possible),
- Sensible: A swap, root and home (default for a lot of distro's, possibly adding a boot partition),
- Production/Critical/Because I can: These set-ups differ.

I like this base layout for the third model:

Code:

SWAP     4 Gb
/boot    1 Gb
/       10 Gb
/usr     8 Gb
/var     4 Gb
/tmp     6 Gb
/home  "rest"

The above can be expanded/changed if wanted/needed.

About swap space:
With the current hardware the need for a swap partition is questioned, although you will always find it on Production partition models. I grew up with the swap = 2 * RAM rule. Nowadays I use 4 Gb or swap = ram for machines with 4 Gb or more (or what a specific application expects it to be). The exception to the rule is hibernation. If used, do make your swap size twice your RAM size.

Have fun building.

DavidLee1A · 12-26-2012, 11:01 AM

I created a live Debian DVD. I was thinking of writing a simple bash script to sudo apt-get everything I need off the DVD and save it on a USB (including a version-check.sh). Could I do the complete LFS build using a live DVD and a USB? Then I could work on any computer! If so, then what would be the right way to partition the USB? Say a 16G USB?

spiky0011 · 12-26-2012, 11:20 AM

Hi

If you are thinking of running the live dvd you will need to make it persistent some how, probably make a partition on the usb to store the persistent part because you will need some packages to make it compliant, I think mine was about 200megs then partition the usb as you want. druuna gave 3 options, as you are complicating things even further I would go with 2nd option / home swap.
If you decide on this make the Persistent Partition at the end.
As you only have 16 gigs it will be tight
Maybe 10 gigs root. swap not sure I would use 1gig leaves 5 gig for home and persistent Partition

re_nelson · 12-26-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druuna

Partition layouts make great discussion material

I like this base layout for the third model:

Code:

SWAP     4 Gb
/boot    1 Gb
/       10 Gb
/usr     8 Gb
/var     4 Gb
/tmp     6 Gb
/home  "rest"

The above can be expanded/changed if wanted/needed.

As you state, this is good discussion material (and can even turn into a vi vs. emacs flamewar, which I'll avoid). Your layout scheme seems reasonable although I've evolved, over time, to one big root, an ample swap slice and /boot. My only question is why 1 GB was allocated for /boot? I keep that reasonably small (only about 128 MB) in spite of having no less than 14 Linux platforms as well as Windows 8 and Solaris 11. I also keep boot on ext2 so it's accessible from even my earliest system, a venerable Red Hat 6.2.

By the way, I never thought the time would come when I'd use the term only 128 MB. That's more than double the size of my very first Linux system, an early TAMU distribution from around 1992.