I recently loaded linux Mint as a dual system to Windows 7
It was workin ok and I was able to boot into either Linux Mint or Windows 7 from the Mint Grub Loader page. Today I attempted to boot up my Laptop which is a Fujitsu Amilo Li2727 only to obtain a Grub 22 Error. This error prevents me from loading any program via Cd or Usb and prevents me getting into the Bios. I removed the hard drive and investigated its contents which should have had two partitions on it ie "C" with Windows 7 and "D" with Linux Mint on it. However The "d" partition is now empty and a seach has revealed no grub entries on the disk which suggests that the grub is located with the bios. I have replaced the hard drive back into the Laptop. I have downlooaded a copy of SUPERGRUBDISK but am unable to use it or a usb floppy drive to change the Msb. Can anyone offer me help?

What happened before this problem appeared?

Error 22 means that GRUB could not find the partition that it was pointed to. That is **potentially** consistent with your observation that "the d partition is empty"---but I'm not sure how you determined this. To be sure, you boot from any Linux Live CD, and run "fdisk -l" (ell, not one).

The GRUB error will not stop you from getting to the BIOS setup, since GRUB loading comes after the initial self test, when control is passed to the hard drive. To get into the BIOS setup you have to press a specified key during initial bootup.

What kind of "grub entries" were you looking for? (grub would never be "located with the BIOS")

What is the "Msb"? Perhaps you mean the MBR?

First, solve the issue of booting from CD---including (if necessary) getting into the BIOS setup to enable it---booting from CD has nothing to do with what's on the hard disk. In fact, I'm pretty sure you can boot from CD even if there is no hard drive installed.

Thank you for your reply.
I observed that partition "D" was empty by rmoving the hard drive and using acronis disk director to examine it on my desktop computer.
the reason I stated that I thought that the Grub details were associated with the bios of my laptop was due to the fact that I am unable to load any live linux distro from the cd drive or any utility program. Further I am unable to key into the bios using the "F2" normal bios setup key as the message on the laptop from any attemyted boot from either pressing "F2" or from any disk in the cd drive or from the usb shows up as:-

Grub Loading stage1.5

Grub loading, please wait...
Error 22

I have attempted to locate a method of resetting the bios without success, and it is currently impractible for me a 78year old Linux Newbie computer to attemtpt finding the cmos battery to do. YOUR HELP IS APPRECIATED!

Please note the following:
a) That in Linux there is no such thing as Drive C: or Drive D: this only applies under M$Windows, but not in Linux, because this system reads the actual device and partition numbers, like, sda1, sda2, or hda1, hdb1, hdc1 while, in referring to the root partition it sees it as simply 'root' or ' / ' that symbol.
b) That Microsoft system CANNOT read nor detect the Linux partition formats. This problem is caused not by Linux but by Microsoft stupid-secretive-profit-centered-policy. I am not sure either if your acronis edition is designed to detect linux formats.
c) If indeed acronis said that your linux partition is gone its disappearance could have only been performed by a user from inside the Windows 7 or within Vista systems which run disk partitioning applications but cannot see nay detect any linux partition format, When dual booting Linux with these poor M$ systems, the user should avoid running disk partitioning application from inside, as this action is like entrusting a highly critical mission to a blind man, and nothing can be more dangerous than that.
There is nothing in Grub or Linux, misconfigured or not, that can involuntarily annihilate a partition without the 'y' or <Enter> by the root user: we do not have so grave a bug as that here yet. This means it was not grub nor linux that caused its disappearance.

Quote:

the reason I stated that I thought that the Grub details were associated with the bios of my laptop was due to the fact that I am unable to load any live linux distro from the cd drive or any utility program.

Grub is not associated with, nor does it intrude into the BIOS directly or indirectly. Grub has nothing to do with it. The deepest that Grub can reach into is the Master Boot Record, yet this sector is within hard disk, not in the BIOS and there is no way that grub can influence the Bios, except, where a bleeding proprietary exploit is clandestinely conspired to glue between the hard disk and Bios in favor to microsoft, which, in the case I doubt if japanese open mindedness can allow this to happen under Fujitsu Amilo.

Quote:

Further I am unable to key into the bios using the "F2" normal bios setup key as the message on the laptop from any attemyted boot from either pressing "F2" or from any disk in the cd drive or from the usb shows up as:- Grub Loading stage1.5 Grub loading, please wait... Error 22

It appears that your hitting of "F2" was late. Try hit the key earlier when the Bios is still in the process of POST test: that is, at the earlier time before it finishes the roll call of hardware present. Also, in most cases, other magic keys can work, try hitting either of these keys: F9, F10, F11, F12, Del, Ctl+Del, alternately with the F2, watch how the screen reacts. The Error 22 comes only later when the Bios is finished preparing the hardware and passes control to hard disk. That error merely declares that the linux partition it is pointing to is missing; it doesn't say anything against your Bios, and ergo there is nothing to worry about your laptop. There was once an Amilo user who came along this same problem, after asking a Bios-flash program the Fujitsu help-techmen did not allow him to do it, because plainly the Bios is not damaged under Error 22.

Quote:

I have attempted to locate a method of resetting the bios without success, and it is currently impractible for me a 78year old Linux Newbie computer to attemtpt finding the cmos battery to do. YOUR HELP IS APPRECIATED!

Try reset the Bios manually, do these--
1. Unplug the power cord from the outlet;
2. Detach the battery pack, usually this is only attached by a sliding lock at the back of the laptop.
3. Wait for about 15 seconds before re-attaching battery. (Mine, I left them apart on the table for half an hour, to convince myself against all doubts of anything to tarry in the memory chip, before re-attaching them.)

After re-attaching, power On, hit the magic keys given above, enter Bios, set boot to CD/DVD, run the Mint LiveCD, If this favorable stage comes upon your luck please secure all important data within microsoft partitions, moving them into safer place and delete, reformat and say goodbye to microsoft. This is the safest way to avoid future headache. Install only Linux Mint, Try the more stable Linux Mint 5 or 6. If you are new to linux do not crave for the "new" versions, because most of these still need further observation to become perfect.
By the way, I am glad to know that I am alone, to be too old to migrate into the world of freedom.
Congratulations!
Come frequently here in the LQ, where selfless people stay to help you with nothing in return except the feeling of satisfaction that somehow we have done small but worthy labor to make this world a better place for you and for me.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Thank you for your contiued help.
I have tried all what you have sugested but with no further move forward.

I therefore removed the current Laptop Hard Drive and inspected it again using the Windows Xp Computer Management program within the computer i am writing to you with and identified the "D" partion that the Linux Mint partitions were on is clear with no data.
I have put into the Laptop another 120Gig Hard drive partioned with two clear partions, and following a boot trial I note that Grub 22 still appears which makes me wonder where vthe Grub Bootloader is stored, it is certainly not on the Hard Drive. I removed the battery and power cable for twenty minutes and tried another boot which still shows the Grub 22 erreor.
I am prepared to ditch Windows 7 in favour of Linux Mint but cannot do this until I am able to remove the Grub 22 error or boot into the Bios. Can you please explaine where the Grub Loader is located? Thanking you in anticipation of futher interest and help. Sincerly Brian.

The problem with doing that is (I believe a previous post indicated this) that windows does not recognize Linux partitions. I have windows on a computer with several Linux installations. When I go into windows to see my partitions it shows the Linux as empty or unallocated space.

What does "partitioned with two clear partitions" mean exactly? How did you do this, what tools did you use? How were they formatted, type filesystem? What was on those two partitions?

In your first post, you indicate that a search showed no Grub entries on the disk. How did you do this search? If you did it from windows it was wasted time because windows won't see any Linux files, by choice of microsoft.

Grub isn't going to prevent you from getting into the BIOS and it is installed on the hard drive. If you are not able to access the BIOS (does it use F2 key) it may just be a bad keyboard.

Thank you for your continued assistance.
In view of the fact that the second hard drive that i mention that i put into the Laptop had never been associated with Linux leads me to believe that the Linux instuctions that have been inserted into the cmos are too close to the other information and is preventing sufficient time to recieve the "F2" instuction. This appears to be bourne out by other similar Grub 22 error posts on the internet. How can I rule out faulty keyboard? The Fujitsu Amilo Li2727 has the facility at boot to use "F12" to load cd's during boot, but this is'nt functioning either.

MY FIRST OPYION:-Can you give me details of a program within Linux Mint from which I can view the original Hard drive for Linux partitions? If you are able I propose using the Live Linux Mint on my desktop computer to view and possibly if any partions relating to the Linux Mint ammend using Terminal instructions so that Grub Loader can find them when i have put the hard drive back into the Laptop.
MY SECOND OPTION:-Another alternative that I would like your comments of would be for me to load a copy of Linux Mint onto the clear Hard Drive using my desktop and then trying it in the Laptop. If this is possible your helpfull instuctions would be of assistance.
MY THIRD OPTION:-Is to attempt to find out vwhere the Cmos battery is located within the Laptop and provided it is not soldered, remove it and replace it.

I do not know if the following may throw light on the problem that I have:- following deep thoughts I recollect that when the dual operating systems were fuctioning I always used Hybernation by closing the computer lid for Windows 7, and recall setting Linux Mint likewise. I think that I was using Linux Mint prior to the mis fuction occuring the day after closing down with use of the lid.

brianste,

I guess your Bios (or keyboard) is having problem but certainly there is no basis why linux is to blame. Error 22 simply indicates two facts: First, that Grub is still in the MBR; Second, but the partition for Ubuntu is no longer there. Simple. So you'd better do these:

1. Clear up all doubts first.
-- Boot your Windows Recovery CD, enter into recovery console, issue command:
Windows7 C:\ fixmbr or C:\ fixboot
then reboot to your Windows 7, see if Bios this time allows you.

2. Test run Mint LiveCd; try reboot from it if it can handle rebooting. If this works well, check your Bios, try to reconfigure and restore optimal setting, and see if Bios is no longer misbehaving. When all is clear you are ready to boot again the LiveCD and install Mint;

3. Reformat all partitions and install Linux Mint at the first partition.

This should settle everything.

If your laptop keyboard is misbehaving try use a USB external cabled keyboard, say, use the one on the desktop computer. Laptop keyboards are extremely touchy it easily gives up. Usually I plug a USB keyboard while using my laptop at home to minimize wear and tear of my laptop keyboard.

I think all possible solutions are already given. Doing them "properly" your problem should be gone.

Hope this helps.
Good luck.

Thank you for your reply, however you have not identified that I am unable to get into the bios setup, or boot up any cd from the cd rom even the "F12" key which normally brings up a menu will not the boot up menu from this Laptop. As I have already said it appears to be due to Linux Mint loading some boot information into the Cmos too close to the normal bootup tests and there is insufficient time for the Bios setup "F2" key to be recognised and acted upon before the Cmos passes a request for boot information from the hard drive. This is evidenced from the appearance of the Fujitsu Logo immediately prior to the "GRUB loading stage1.5
Grub loading, please wait Error 22" message. I have already tried another keyboard and am therefore unable to do what you suggest in your 1,2 and 3 suggestions, I only wish I was able. You are wrong in stating that Error 22 indicates that Grub is still in the MBR. If you had read all of the thread you would have identified that the Grub Error 22 message appears on the monitor following complete clearance of the computer ram memories and after fitting another hard drive which has two unallocated clean partitions and which has never been near any Linux operating system. This sugests to me that the Grub Error 220 message is part of the information that Linux Mint has inserted into the Cmos.

brianste,

Cmos? well, this would be the first case that I know of. If this is the true/real case that you have can you detach the cmos battery from its socket the way we do commonly with the bigger box of desktops? (if there is).

You could be right and I could be wrong, but: THIS ANOMALY IS NOT CAUSED BY MINT OR GRUB BUT BY A POSSIBLE PROPRIETARY EXPLOIT WITHIN FUJITSU. Of which case only the crackheads of Fujitsu can help their buyers.

Yes I could be wrong, I honestly admit that I did not review re-read your reply post, I was in a hurry, my eyeglasses needing replacement. I did not understand fully what you meant.

Try to hunt for a jumper toward the north or preprocessor or any sort of auxilliary chips that could have possibly hard "cached" the previous MBR entries if you have suspected that the mbr record reached into the pci region.

I still maintain my position that grub entries are still in the mbr.

Actually I have spent fair time researching over this case to help you but in two relevant sites Fujitsu sounds like a "linux aware" and are confident of normal solutions over similar complaints who asked for a "Bios flash" software, techmen brushed off the prayer. I cannot post the link anymore, I was sleepy and in a hurry. Use google if you have time.

The point has come: I cannot share to you what I don't have.

Good luck.

No. Grub does not put anything in CMOS. It's entirely on the hard drive. When you attached this hard drive which "had never been associated with Linux" had you disconnected and removed the internal drive from the laptop?

??I would expect it to be that way. Would your Fujitsu logo come up after you had booted into the operating system previously? On my HP, I get the HP logo before the system starts to boot.

The Grub Error 22, no such partition,means that something happened to your Mint partition and since you don't seem to recall what happened prior to this occurring, I don't see how we can help, well guesses?

brianste,

Reexamining your case from the first post: it appears that you have done something from within Windows 7 before this case appeared. It would be more helpful if you describe to us what was that.

I assumed that you did this against the onboard hard drive, and if you can do this far into a notebook you are indeed an advanced windows-click-here&there, otherwise if you have merely attached an external drive, OMG! I was wasting my time!
Please be honest in telling me what you are doing and how you do it and don't try to sound "technical" in explaining things, I can easily detect whether the person "knows-that-he-knows-not". Use simple english, correct grammar, and correct spelling.

Click: Menu > Administration > Partition Editor. A graphic table will appear.
That's as simple as microsoft pampering.

NOTE:
Inside your notebook is an onboard hard disk. You must deal with it directly. Post here in clear language what progress you have made of your work.
I am still willing to help you. I can hold my patience from going off.

Are you sure f2 is the proper key for bios setup? It varies by machine. I have 3 machines and all 3 have a different key to get me into the bios. Delete is common as is f12. What everyone is saying is correct in that grub doesn't have anything to do with the cmos or the bios. If you can not access the bios you have a more serious problem than a grub error. In all likelihood you are either pressing the wrong key at boot, or you are pressing it too late. First make sure you have the right key, then to make sure you are pressing it in time simply press it repeatedly as soon as you power the machine on. Then make sure that you are set to boot first from cd.

A second hard drive will not do anything to change your situation unless the internal hard drive has first been removed or you were able to enter the bios to change setting, which you say you haven't been able to do.

On doing some googling it looks like your machine does use f2 for the bios or f12 for a boot selection. It also says that it has a splash screen and others don't see any notification to press the keys. You can simply press f12 repeatedly as soon as you power the machine on and it should present a boot order menu. Choose the option for you cd or dvd drive WITH A LIVE CD and you will be able to see what is going on from there.