Hi,
I've been running a multi-boot system (Suse, XP) for quite some time with no problems, using the default SuSE boot manager. Recently, however, I decided to give Ubuntu a try. The install went fine, but Ubuntu replaced the graphical SuSE bootloader with its own text based one - which worked perfectly until I stupidly decided that I preferred the old SuSE loader better, and tried to change it back. Having messed around with SuSE's bootloader settings to the point where I can't even remember what they originally were, I can't get into my Ubuntu partition at all (I'm evidently using incorrect syntax to load the Ubuntu Kernel, because whenever I try to load it, I get a "file not found" message)

Anyway, I'm just curious if anyone has any experience trying to do this sort of thing. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks.

i assume you kept ms as is....and overwrote suse with no backups of suse eh?

if you like read the tutorial or the troubleshooter if you can not even get into your ubuntu.

however all is not lost.....since you can use ms to browse the net....you can search for ubuntu style menu options.

in the long run...however...you are urged to download a all purpose live cd....such as knoppix so that you can browse ubutu partition in ram mode...live mode....and then simply write down the preferred menu and translate that into commands...
but in command mode....you need one extra command called
boot

a quick search of LQ shows one persons menu is

-------
title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.17-11-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.17-11-generic root=/dev/hdc1 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.17-11-generic
---------

Naturally you will have to change the /dev/hdc bit etc...if you can not work it out from my tutorial....tell us how your drives are jumpered.primary/slave ide or sata....and more help can be given

but if you read my troubleshooter you can find out the exact names of your kernel which may differ.

Previously posted: "Okay, I can try the boot options you suggested - but how would booting from Knoppix (which I have) help me determine what syntax the Ubuntu partition will respond to?"

Okay, I figured it out: after I booted into SuSE again, I mounted my Ubuntu partition, found the exact names of the vmlinuz and intrid.img files in [Ubuntu]/boot, then modified my SuSE partition's /boot/grub/?.lst file to reflect those names (for anybody's future reference, Ubuntu tacks on the entire kernel version number to the end of vmlinuz and initrd.img, making the image name something like vmlinuz-2.x.xx.x-default).

Thanks again for your help - and for putting up with my ridiculously basic question.

good now get a live cd.....that darn knoppix again and boot it and run partimage and save the image of each partition to a cdr or dvdr...it will only take about 20 mins for a 3g data size and restore only takes about 5 minutes


www.partimage.org for the dox and shots

other live distros may have it already so check if yours does etc