[SOLVED] Error attempt to read or write outside of disk 'hd0' (Ubutnu 14.04)

DKnight009 · 04-23-2014, 05:08 PM

I'm new to Linux and wanted to install a distro for my old laptop (HP Compac nc6400). Tried with lubuntu, xubuntu, ubuntu (14.04 all of them) and lxle. When i installed one of them and booted i got

Code:

error: attempt to read or write outside of disk 'hd0'

Code:

entering rescue mode...

Code:

grub rescue>

I booted again from the Live CD on Ubuntu 14.04 and installed Boot-Repair, and ran recommended repair but did nothing and still got the problem.

I dont know what to do so please help!

syg00 · 04-23-2014, 06:00 PM

Did you note the URL that boot repair created at paste.ubuntu.com ?. We need that so we can see what happened.
Else just run it again and let us know the URL.

DKnight009 · 04-23-2014, 06:59 PM

http://paste.ubuntu.com/7295828/

This is the URL i got

syg00 · 04-23-2014, 07:59 PM

Looks ok from a Linux perspective - I'd say you've got a BIOS limitation. This would be a problem for older BIOS

Code:

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

           GiB - GB             File                                 Fragment(s)

 200.137542725 = 214.896050176  boot/grub/grub.cfg                             1
 200.145660400 = 214.904766464  boot/grub/i386-pc/core.img                     1
 200.135635376 = 214.894002176  boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic                 1
 200.135635376 = 214.894002176  vmlinuz                                        1
  96.752681732 = 103.887400960  boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-generic              2
  96.752681732 = 103.887400960  initrd.img                                     2

Couple of quick solutions:
- allocate a small /boot partition at the beginning of the disk, and allow the root (/) to use the rest (minus swap)
- force the installer to only use say 100 Gig for Linux.

The latter is probably easiest, although it's been so long since I bothered with Ubuntu I can't tell you how to do it. I'll see if I can find a guide on the net.

DKnight009 · 04-23-2014, 08:07 PM

Thanks!

Actually i was thinking to reinstall ubuntu, that's an easier way to configure partitions right?
But i have no clue about partitioning

syg00 · 04-23-2014, 08:23 PM

If you re-install, Ubuntu will do the same again. Have a look at this for an idea of what the screens you need to use look like. Note: this is just an indication.

If it was me, I'd get to the partitioning stage, and:
- select "Something Else" - you'll get a list of your disk layout
- highlight the big (~316Gig) partition (/dev/sda1, ext4)
- click "Change" (bottom left)
- amend the size to 100 Gig, and ensure the mountpoint is /
The buttons for "primary" and "beginning of this space" should be pre-selected - if not select them. Ext4 is a good choice for "Use as".

You can go with that to see if it works, or you could additionally use the now free space for /home as that guide suggests. Up to you - /home can be done later, although it can get messy. Or you can just leave the space free for now - I like to have free space for unforseen events. Your choice.

DKnight009 · 04-23-2014, 08:29 PM

Yeah, i was hoing to select the Something Else option when installing.
Thanks for the information, i'll try it and post here if it worked

What does /tmp and /var partitions do?

syg00 · 04-23-2014, 08:37 PM

Strictly /tmp and /var are mount-points - they may be on separate partitions. Heading into philosophical (flame-war) territory here - I'd not bother on a first install. /tmp will likely be taken care of for you by the installer.

If you're in the mood, on that kit I'd look at a separate /boot at the begiining of the disk. One gig should be plenty - will allow more flexibility later.

DKnight009 · 04-23-2014, 09:22 PM

Installer just crashed... Saying that the CD/DVD i used may be dirty or bad files..

DKnight009 · 04-23-2014, 10:03 PM

Thanks a lot for all your help! It worked!

Gingalone · 06-07-2017, 08:04 AM

syg00 said:

Quote:

If you're in the mood, on that kit I'd look at a separate /boot at the begiining of the disk. One gig should be plenty - will allow more flexibility later.

That solved the "read or write outside the disk..." problem for me as well!

marianov1 · 01-25-2020, 08:04 AM

I'm new to Linux, and had the same problem after partitioning my Win7 drive and installing Ubuntu 18.04LTS. It worked fine in the first, and then, after shutting down the PC I got this same problem.

I was simply solved by running boot-repair tool through the live-Linux USB drive, as indicated in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair.