I have right now two linux systems installed, both on the same disk in a three disk system. Mint13 32bit is on one partition and Mint17 64 bit on the other one. I had it booting from Mint13 and it was booting just fine into either 13 or 17, but mint 13 was first in line, so I decided to change it. instead of resetting the default in Grub, I ran grub-install from Mint 17 (the 64 bit system). Now it won't boot into either system from grub. It just gives me an error message - not from Grub, but from Bios, that there is no bootable device.

I can boot using Plop in the CD drive and choosing "boot from Hard disk". That takes me to the grub menu, and I can boot from there into either system.

I've tried running grub install from Mint13, but no good. So far I haven't been able to discover anyone with a similar problem, although I did run across one reference that seemed to indicate a problem using 32bit and 64bit systems on the sma3e machine, but there was no explanation.

That's a lame BIOS - you can usually fix that by ensuring you have the boot flag on one (and only one) of the primary partitions. Doesn't matter which, grub ignores it.

Thanks syg00
You may be right about the Bios, but:
I did check on the three disks that I have connected, and one USB thumb drive. The thumb Drive and /dev/sda were both marked with a 'boot' flag, so I turned it off on the thumb drive, and tried to boot without Plop. It didn't work. I still get a boot error from the Bios -didn't note the exact wording, but something like: "boot failure. Insert system disk..."

So I tried running "grub-install /dev/sda" and got a message that it had finished successfully with no errors.

But it still won't boot without Plop. Any tests that I can run on the Bios? Or ways to reset it? Or....?

Have you tried your backup boot blocks, should be a few spread out over your drive, just use dd to overwrite your boot sector with it.

So long since I've needed to do this that I can't remember how to find them, but no doubt, it will be on Google somewhere.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in <Linux-Mint> and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Please post the result of the Boot Info Script.
Boot your Mint DVD or USB.
Install boot-info-script:
Then run the script:
Post the results here - http://pastebin.com/ - and give us the resulting link.

I installed that script, and it apparently did install. The last ffew lines of the install procedure show:
Unpacking boot-info-script (from .../boot-info-script_0.60-1_all.deb) ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Setting up boot-info-script (0.60-1) ...


But the command:sudo bootinfoscript just shows:
sudo: bootinfoscript: command not found
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Well a little snooping with mlocate and a look at my path tells me that boot-info-script is not in my path, so the command: /usr/sbin/boot_info_script brings it out of hiding. Here is "RESULTS.txt" (A Huge amount of info):

Boot Info Script 0.60 from 17 May 2011


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

=> Grub2 (v1.99) 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 6 for .
=> Grub2 (v1.99) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdc and looks at sector 1 of
the same hard drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and looks
in partition 112 for .
=> No boot loader is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdd.

sda1: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sda6: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sda7: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sda8: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sda2: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sdc1: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sdc2: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sdc3: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sdc4: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sdc5: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sdc6: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Linux Mint 13 Maya
Boot files: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img

sdc7: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Linux Mint 17 Qiana
Boot files: /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab

sdc8: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sdd1: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: FAT32
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sdd1 starts
at sector 0. But according to the info from fdisk,
sdd1 starts at sector 2048.
Operating System:
Boot files:

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

Drive: sda _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sda1 * 2,048 83,009,535 83,007,488 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 4,096 21,917,695 21,913,600 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 21,919,744 45,746,175 23,826,432 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 45,748,224 69,597,183 23,848,960 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 69,599,232 83,009,535 13,410,304 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 83,009,536 488,396,799 405,387,264 83 Linux


Drive: sdc _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sdc: 203.9 GB, 203928109056 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24792 cylinders, total 398297088 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdc1 63 22,298,219 22,298,157 83 Linux
/dev/sdc2 22,298,220 44,098,424 21,800,205 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sdc3 44,098,425 65,352,419 21,253,995 83 Linux
/dev/sdc4 65,352,481 398,282,751 332,930,271 5 Extended
/dev/sdc5 65,352,483 69,352,604 4,000,122 83 Linux
/dev/sdc6 69,355,520 91,064,319 21,708,800 83 Linux
/dev/sdc7 91,066,368 113,801,215 22,734,848 83 Linux
/dev/sdc8 113,803,264 398,282,751 284,479,488 83 Linux


Drive: sdd _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sdd: 8065 MB, 8065646080 bytes
119 heads, 34 sectors/track, 3893 cylinders, total 15753215 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sdd1 2,048 15,751,167 15,749,120 b W95 FAT32


"blkid" output: ________________________________________________________________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda2 abff2286-a010-4aed-8768-b6417e157f0f ext3
/dev/sda5 e0222e34-8e79-4e08-b0d5-ffeb2fbb1fc8 ext3
/dev/sda6 abb72b71-d60d-40dd-8b13-341ce5ece2cc ext3
/dev/sda7 7e7d6eca-22c4-47e4-aa71-b90e6dd90d09 ext3
/dev/sda8 cc296d36-3704-49b7-914a-91db6be3733e ext3
/dev/sdc1 3c7f7717-f447-400f-ac7b-f42b4d75742c ext4
/dev/sdc2 a033683d-e523-4f98-88f9-be0820b9e9f3 swap
/dev/sdc3 3dd1c50a-20b7-4232-96f0-5cc4608dbc70 ext4
/dev/sdc5 f19d8e6e-5217-4892-8c80-2c1bfe123174 ext3
/dev/sdc6 388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd ext4
/dev/sdc7 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202 ext4
/dev/sdc8 61ab91e2-458a-44ed-a6db-f03b59a36343 ext3
/dev/sdd1 C9CA-4EAE vfat CRUZERôŸw·^
/dev/sr0 iso9660 PLoPLinux-v4.0.6

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

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda2 /mnt/isos-plus ext3 (rw)
/dev/sdc6 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/sdc8 /home ext3 (rw)
/dev/sdd1 /media/CRUZER vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uid=1000,gid=1000,shortname=mixed,dmask=0077,utf8=1,showexec,flush,uhelper=udisks)
/dev/sr0 /media/PLoPLinux-v4.0.6 iso9660 (ro,nosuid,nodev,uid=1000,gid=1000,iocharset=utf8,mode=0400,dmode=0500,uhelper=udisks)


=========================== sdc6/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/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 'Linux Mint 13 MATE 32-bit, 3.2.0-23-generic (/dev/sdb6)' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
#recordfail
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-65-generic-pae (on /dev/sda5)HOME" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 0b2d9f19-ec8b-4935-b7ab-294fd19ccd6b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-65-generic-pae root=UUID=0b2d9f19-ec8b-4935-b7ab-294fd19ccd6b ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-65-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Ubuntu-Zorin, with Linux 3.2.0-65-generic-pae (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda5)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 0b2d9f19-ec8b-4935-b7ab-294fd19ccd6b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-65-generic-pae root=UUID=0b2d9f19-ec8b-4935-b7ab-294fd19ccd6b ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-65-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Linux Mint 10, 2.6.35-22-generic-pae (/dev/sdf2) (on /dev/sdb2)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 34851fea-2251-41e7-8a16-1e27c8fa3922
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic-pae root=UUID=34851fea-2251-41e7-8a16-1e27c8fa3922 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Linux Mint 10, 2.6.35-22-generic-pae (/dev/sdf2) -- recovery mode (on /dev/sdb2)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 34851fea-2251-41e7-8a16-1e27c8fa3922
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic-pae root=UUID=34851fea-2251-41e7-8a16-1e27c8fa3922 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Linux Mint 17 MATE 64-bit, 3.13.0-24-generic (/dev/sdb7) (on /dev/sdb7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic root=UUID=6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-generic
}
menuentry "Linux Mint 17 MATE 64-bit, 3.13.0-24-generic (/dev/sdb7) -- recovery mode (on /dev/sdb7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic root=UUID=6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202 ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-generic
}
set timeout_style=menu
if [ "${timeout}" = 0 ]; then
set timeout=10
fi
### 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 $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sdc6/etc/fstab: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid' to print the universally unique identifier for a
# device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name devices
# that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
# / was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /home was on /dev/sdb8 during installation
UUID=61ab91e2-458a-44ed-a6db-f03b59a36343 /home ext3 defaults 0 2

# /mnt/sdb2 was on /dev/sdb2 during installation
#UUID=34851fea-2251-41e7-8a16-1e27c8fa3922 /mnt/sdc2 ext3 defaults 0 2

# /mnt/sdb7 was on /dev/sdb7 during installation
#UUID=6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202 /mnt/sdc7 ext4 defaults 0 2
# /mnt/sda2 was on /dev/sda2 during installation
UUID=abff2286-a010-4aed-8768-b6417e157f0f /mnt/isos-plus ext3 defaults 0 2

/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
#UUID=abb72b71-d60d-40dd-8b13-341ce5ece2cc /mnt/sda6 ext3 defaults 0 2
#UUID=7e7d6eca-22c4-47e4-aa71-b90e6dd90d09 /mnt/sda7 ext3 defaults 0 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sdc6: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

35.682937622 = 38.314262528 boot/grub/core.img 1
38.667507172 = 41.518919680 boot/grub/grub.cfg 1
42.586387634 = 45.726785536 boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic 2
42.239395142 = 45.354205184 boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic 1
42.586387634 = 45.726785536 initrd.img 2
42.586387634 = 45.726785536 initrd.img.old 2
42.239395142 = 45.354205184 vmlinuz 1

=========================== sdc7/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

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

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

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

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
saved_entry="${chosen}"
save_env saved_entry
fi
}
function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
function load_video {
if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
insmod all_video
else
insmod efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod ieee1275_fb
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
font=unicode
else
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd2,msdos7'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd2,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd2,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci2,msdos7 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
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 [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
set timeout=-1
else
if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
set timeout_style=menu
set timeout=10
# Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
else
set timeout=10
fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=white/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/06_mint_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 'Linux Mint 17 MATE 64-bit, 3.13.0-24-generic (/dev/sdc7)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd2,msdos7'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd2,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd2,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci2,msdos7 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic root=UUID=6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 17 MATE 64-bit, 3.13.0-24-generic (/dev/sdc7) -- recovery mode' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd2,msdos7'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd2,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd2,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci2,msdos7 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 3.13.0-24-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic root=UUID=6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

### 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='hd2,msdos7'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd2,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd2,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci2,msdos7 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
fi
knetbsd /boot/memtest86+.elf
}
menuentry 'Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)' {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd2,msdos7'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd2,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd2,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci2,msdos7 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202
fi
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry 'Linux Mint 13 Maya (13) (on /dev/sdc6)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-simple-388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd' {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd2,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd2,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd2,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci2,msdos6 388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Linux Mint 13 Maya (13) (on /dev/sdc6)' $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-advanced-388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd' {
menuentry 'Linux Mint 13 MATE 32-bit, 3.2.0-23-generic (/dev/sdb6) (on /dev/sdc6)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic--388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd' {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd2,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd2,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd2,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci2,msdos6 388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-23-generic
}
}

set timeout_style=menu
if [ "${timeout}" = 0 ]; then
set timeout=10
fi
### 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 ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sdc7/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/sdb7 during installation
UUID=6f7d9bdf-83bd-4966-b825-534f066cd202 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /home was on /dev/sdb8 during installation
UUID=61ab91e2-458a-44ed-a6db-f03b59a36343 /home ext3 defaults 0 2
# /mnt/m13- was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=388ffdac-d33a-4e99-8034-fdd1c4dc54bd /mnt/m13- ext4 defaults 0 2
# /mnt/stor was on /dev/sda2 during installation
UUID=abff2286-a010-4aed-8768-b6417e157f0f /mnt/stor ext3 defaults 0 2
# /mnt/stor2 was on /dev/sdc6 during installation
#UUID=45902fe0-6912-497d-93ab-dcaf146a2fb7 /mnt/stor2 ext3 defaults 0 2
# swap was on /dev/sdb5 during installation
UUID=07c1b785-ee5c-4fcf-9f50-69cfcfb5dc73 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sdc7: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

53.664981842 = 57.622335488 boot/grub/grub.cfg 1
46.676765442 = 50.118795264 boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-generic 4
50.216308594 = 53.919350784 boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic 1
46.676765442 = 50.118795264 initrd.img 4
50.216308594 = 53.919350784 vmlinuz 1

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

Unknown BootLoader on sdc4

00000000 95 2e 3d ea fa 7a c3 ff ba 6f b7 db bf c3 5a 1d |..=..z...o....Z.|
00000010 d6 5f c3 77 bb f6 7f be 5c df d8 a5 77 d7 ea bf |._.w....\...w...|
00000020 df 61 c6 b7 5a a9 f5 69 b5 33 be 93 da 96 bb af |.a..Z..i.3......|
00000030 ed 5b db 72 a7 b5 b5 1d d7 ad ed d8 a9 43 ed 7a |.[.r.........C.z|
00000040 9d aa ff 74 c1 0e b5 ff ed 8b d6 76 98 f9 dd ff |...t.......v....|
00000050 eb 0e 2b fd 07 f6 68 79 6e ab 7e 75 5d 67 de 5b |..+...hyn.~u]g.[|
00000060 cb af b1 cc 78 cc f8 e1 b4 9d f9 4b bd e5 c7 d5 |....x......K....|
00000070 8e 5b fd af 33 f9 a1 7e ef e3 5c ff e3 f9 ff e3 |.[..3..~..\.....|
00000080 51 7d 8f c5 df 9c 30 79 f2 f1 13 cb 94 29 53 a6 |Q}....0y.....)S.|
00000090 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 |L.2e..)S.L.2e..)|
000000a0 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca |S.L.2e..)S.L.2e.|
000000b0 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 |.)S.L.2e..)S.L.2|
000000c0 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c |e..)S.L.2e..)S.L|
000000d0 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 |.2e..)S.L.2e..)S|
000000e0 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 |.L.2e..)S.L.2e..|
000000f0 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 |)S.L.2e..)S.L.2e|
00000100 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 |..)S.L.2e..)S.L.|
00000110 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 4c 99 32 65 ca 94 29 53 a6 |2e..)S.L.2e..)S.|
00000120 cc ff 7f 2a 6d 2b d5 c7 e2 6f 56 5a 1e 9b b9 26 |...*m+...oVZ...&|
00000130 b8 a6 57 2a f1 21 1c 0e b7 e2 56 dc 8a 5b f1 2c |..W*.!....V..[.,|
00000140 3c 0b cf c2 b3 f0 ac 3c 2b cf ca b3 f2 6c 3c 1b |<......<+....l<.|
00000150 cf c6 b3 f1 ec 3c 3b cf ce b3 73 6b 6e cd ad b9 |.....<;...skn...|
00000160 35 b7 e1 36 dc 86 db f0 1c 3c 07 cf c1 73 f0 9c |5..6.....<...s..|
00000170 3c 27 cf c9 73 f2 5c 3c 17 cf c5 73 f1 dc 3c 37 |<'..s.\<...s..<7|
00000180 cf cd 73 f3 3c 3c 0f cf c3 f3 70 f5 3b 6d cb 6d |..s.<<....p.;m.m|
00000190 b9 2d cf cb f3 f2 bc 3c 2f b7 e3 76 dc 8e db f1 |.-.....</..v....|
000001a0 7c 3c 1f cf c7 f3 f1 fc 3c 3f cf cf f3 f3 02 bc ||<......<?......|
000001b0 00 2f c0 0b f0 82 bc 20 2f c8 0b f2 42 bc 00 fe |./..... /...B...|
000001c0 ff ff 83 fe ff ff 02 00 00 00 7a 09 3d 00 00 fe |..........z.=...|
000001d0 ff ff 05 fe ff ff 7c 09 3d 00 63 4b 4b 01 00 00 |......|.=.cKK...|
000001e0 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


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

unlzma: (stdin): Compressed data is corrupt

You ran "grub-install /dev/sda", but Mint 13 and 17 are on sdc.
I suspect that sdc is set to boot first in your BIOS. If you go into your BIOS and set it to boot sda first, and you should see the Grub menu.

If you want to boot sdc first, boot into Mint 17 and run the commands
As syg00 said, you may have to set the boot flag on sdc1. Most modern BIOS's do not require the boot flag for linux, but your BIOS might.

I have run sudo update-grub /dev/sda and sudo update-grub /dev/sdb from mint 17, and when that didn't fix anything, I tried running it from mint 13.

Since a ran the script above, I have even installed an additional OS: RoboLinux 64bit. and I ran sudo update-grub /dev/sdd from there. Still no help. I am still booting with Ploplinux, but I don't know why that works but a normal boot will not.

Did you check your computer's BIOS to see which drive is set to boot first?

Yes I have. Bios is set to boot from /dev/sda . My understanding has been that with Linux it really doesn't matter. So I have also tried booting from both of the other drives, but that doesn't work either. Those two (/dev/sdb and /dev/sdd) also have grub recently installed on them.

I sought for directions to find and install the boot information from it's hidden locations on the drive, but didn't find it. I know that I have read that information before, but don't know how to find it or shat to call it.

I even tried installing another system so that it would write to the boot sector. It installed properly, and declared that there was no error when it wrote the boot sector. But it still will not boot without a boot disk in the DVD drive.

When you boot from plop which OS are you booting?
Did you unmount & remove plop after booting?

Just to clarify... It does matter. If your BIOS is set to boot from /dev/sda, then Grub has to be installed to /dev/sda.
You aren't trying to install Grub to a partition, are you? Like sda1?

Hi,

For Gnu/Linux the partition boot flag is of no real concern. If you are using 'MBR' then you would write the boot to the designated device boot sector and select either via BIOS or BIOS Boot menu via hot-key combination(s).