I'm trying to create test system on which I can load saved images of a number of different distributions / versions from saved images.
I'm using Acronis in Windows to manage the partitions and the images.
This works fine for a while but every now and then I do something (typically install a new distro / version) and subsequent restores of the previously working images fail. After restoring the image I get a "grub rescue" prompt and thereafter I'm stuck.
Typical advice in this situation seems to revolve around repairing the installation using a bootable dvd, but that's not really relevant in my case - I'm trying to find a way to reliably load these images.

My configuration is

HD 1
Partition 1 -> Windows 15GB used to manage the system with Acronis.
Partition 2 -> 20GB partition, used to mount linux ext3/4 image (or other operating systems)
Partition 3 -> 20GB partition, used to mount linux swap partition

remainder unformatted

HD2
1 big partition to hold saved images

When ever I install an image I mount "/" and swap on partition 1 and 2.
Whenever I save an image I save the MBR of HD1 and partitions 2 and 3 and of course the reverse to recover.

So yesterday I recovered my Ubuntu 10.10 image and booted (selecting the OS in Acronis OS selector (boot manager)) which then shows me GRUB and then boots Linux.
I then performed an Ubuntu upgrade to 11.4 and saved the image as usual.

I then restored the 10.10 image and where I would normally see the grub menu I get "grub rescue>".

So clearly the upgrade has messed with something grub related, but my question is where?
It can't be in the MBR of HD1 or either of the partitions 2 / 3 as these get restored.
Can anyone shed some light on what I might be doing wrong, or at least explain where these grub files actually are? I have always assumed that anything grub related is in my active partition (with the MBR "pointing to" this), clearly this is not correct.

Well for one thing, you are kind of flirting with disaster having Windows and GNU/Linux on the same physical drive. I did find something here: http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/in...ST&f=14&t=5025

I think grub needs to know where it's 'root' is, the partition where the /boot directory is stored and which kernel to boot and the link above tells you how to do that.

You can also try looking here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Gr...ing%20GRUB%202

'sudo update-grub' could fix this problem, but then you could run into problems trying to boot back into Window.

Please keep in mind that all my advice is offered AS IS with absolutely NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. Hope it works for you.