Arch disk check keeps spitting out strange error's after installing BT
 

Hey guys I don't know were this goes so I'm just gonna put it here :)
Basically earlier today i figured i wanted to try out backtrack 4 but I could only have a maximum of 4 partitions on an hd at a time.
So i deleted my partition that contained my arch home directory (didn't really have any data on it and i figured i could just make a new one later) to create an extended partition to put backtrack on. Well all went well except now when I select arch instead of backtrack i get a disk check error.
This is the first part of the error, I can't exactly copy and paste it as its on my laptop.
: : Checking Filesystems [BUSY] /dev/sda3: clean, 104461/480496 files, 1258440/1921775 blocks
/dev/sda1: clean, 30/26208 files, 16687/104420 blocks
Could this be a zero-length partition?


************FILESYSTEM CHECK FAILED*************
* *
* Please repair manually and reboot. Note that the root *
* file system is currently mounted read-only. To remount *
* it read-write type: mount -n -o remount,rw / *
* When you exit the maintenance shell the system will *
* reboot automatically.
*
***********************************************

Give root password for maintenance
(or type Control-D to continue):_

So i type in my password and run fsck and this is what i get.


$fsck
fsck from util-linux-ng 2.17.1
e2fsck 1.41.11
/dev/sda3: clean, 104461/480496 files, 1258440/1921775 blocks
e2fsck 1.41.11
/dev/sda1: clean, 30/26208 files, 16687/104420 blocks
e2fsck 1.41.11
fsck.ext2: Attempt to read block from filesystem resulted in short read while trying to open /dev/sda4
Could this be a zero-length partition?

And that about it.
Pleaseee help I'm guessing it has to do something with the missing home directory but i really do not have any clue as to what is going on.

okay so I've done some digging and it seems my fdisk is extremely "discombobulated" theres abunch of random characters everywere and its not readble until you get down to about the last 25 lines.
Also sda4 is an extended partition.
I don't know how that would help but I'm trying tongue

A couple of coments:
- you can have (significantly) more than 4 partitions. 4 is the limit for primaries (including the extended) on a "classic" partition table.
- you should not be attempting to fsck that extended.
- let's see the output of the following

Ah thank you was beginning to lose hope :)

Fdisk -l shows:

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 13 104422 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 14 46 265072+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda3 47 1003 7687102+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 1004 30401 236139435 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 1004 1394 3140676 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6 1395 23756 179622733+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 23757 30124 51150928+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 30125 30401 2224971 82 Linux swap / Solaris


And cat /etc/fstab shows:

#
# /etc/fstab: static file system information
#
# <file system> <dir> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
devpts /dev/pts devpts defaults 0 0
shm /dev/shm tmpfs nodev,nosuid 0 0

#/dev/cdrom /media/cd auto ro,user,noauto,unhide 0 0
#/dev/dvd /media/dvd auto ro,user,noauto,unhide 0 0
#/dev/fd0 /media/fl auto user,noauto 0 0



Sorry for the misalignment I couldn't copy paste :P

Ooops forgot the top part of fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xf99b3d64

Looks like you've had a few goes at installing - doesn't look like an Arch fstab.
If you have a liveCD, go to sf.net and get the bootinfoscript. Run it from (the liveCD ) terminal and post the RESULTS.txt it generates so we can see what's trying to boot.

Okay I gotta create a new live usb first then I'll post results :)

Ok heres the results.txt
thank you guys for trying to help by the way :)


Boot Info Script 0.55 dated February 15th, 2010

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

=> Grub 0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks at sector
426319371 of the same hard drive for the stage2 file. A stage2 file is at
this location on /dev/sda. Stage2 looks on partition #7 for
/boot/grub/menu.lst.

sda1: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext2
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /grub/menu.lst

sda2: _________________________________________________________________________

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

sda3: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext2
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:  Arch Linux () ()
Boot files/dirs: /etc/fstab

sda4: _________________________________________________________________________

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

sda5: _________________________________________________________________________

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

sda6: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext2
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:

sda7: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: BackTrack 4 PwnSauce
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab

sda8: _________________________________________________________________________

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

sdb: _________________________________________________________________________

File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Fat32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst

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

Drive: sda ___________________ _____________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xf99b3d64

Partition Boot Start End Size Id System

/dev/sda1 * 1 208,844 208,844 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 208,845 738,989 530,145 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda3 738,990 16,113,194 15,374,205 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 16,113,195 488,392,064 472,278,870 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 16,113,258 22,394,609 6,281,352 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6 22,394,673 381,640,139 359,245,467 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 381,640,203 483,942,059 102,301,857 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 483,942,123 488,392,064 4,449,942 82 Linux swap / Solaris


blkid -c /dev/null: ____________________________________________________________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/loop0 squashfs
/dev/sda1 f75ee560-a605-464e-92f4-6fc86d96f8ec ext2
/dev/sda2 fab56de9-8e63-4460-878c-89d428a5044b swap
/dev/sda3 8b04794b-2e25-44bc-8eb3-af16f451ab2a ext2
/dev/sda5 f3763389-9930-4668-956a-cd0264e665e9 swap
/dev/sda6 7f2524b1-8d4c-4529-aaa7-f762b0d8ae89 ext2
/dev/sda7 166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3 ext3
/dev/sda8 c2807b35-8739-4b35-b653-e9b3022d5431 swap
/dev/sdb 70BA-2AAE vfat

============================ "mount | grep ^/dev output: ===========================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

rootfs / rootfs (rw)
/dev/sdb /media/cdrom0 vfat (ro,noatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0000,allow_utime=0022,codepage=cp437,iocharset=iso8859-1)
/dev/loop0 /rofs squashfs (ro,noatime)


============================= sda1/grub/menu.lst: =============================

# Config file for GRUB - The GNU GRand Unified Bootloader
# /boot/grub/menu.lst

# DEVICE NAME CONVERSIONS
#
# Linux Grub
# -------------------------
# /dev/fd0 (fd0)
# /dev/sda (hd0)
# /dev/sdb2 (hd1,1)
# /dev/sda3 (hd0,2)
#

# FRAMEBUFFER RESOLUTION SETTINGS
# +-------------------------------------------------+
# | 640x480 800x600 1024x768 1280x1024
# ----+--------------------------------------------
# 256 | 0x301=769 0x303=771 0x305=773 0x307=775
# 32K | 0x310=784 0x313=787 0x316=790 0x319=793
# 64K | 0x311=785 0x314=788 0x317=791 0x31A=794
# 16M | 0x312=786 0x315=789 0x318=792 0x31B=795
# +-------------------------------------------------+
# for more details and different resolutions see
# http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/...fer_Resolution

# general configuration:
timeout 5
default 0
color light-blue/black light-cyan/blue

# boot sections follow
# each is implicitly numbered from 0 in the order of appearance below
#
# TIP: If you want a 1024x768 framebuffer, add "vga=773" to your kernel line.
#
#-*

# (0) Arch Linux
title Arch Linux
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz26 root=/dev/disk/by-uuid/8b04794b-2e25-44bc-8eb3-af16f451ab2a ro
initrd /kernel26.img

# (1) Arch Linux
title Arch Linux Fallback
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz26 root=/dev/disk/by-uuid/8b04794b-2e25-44bc-8eb3-af16f451ab2a ro
initrd /kernel26-fallback.img

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


.0GB: grub/menu.lst
.0GB: grub/stage2
.0GB: vmlinuz26

=============================== sda3/etc/fstab: ===============================

#
# /etc/fstab: static file system information
#
# <file system> <dir> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
devpts /dev/pts devpts defaults 0 0
shm /dev/shm tmpfs nodev,nosuid 0 0

#/dev/cdrom /media/cd auto ro,user,noauto,unhide 0 0
#/dev/dvd /media/dvd auto ro,user,noauto,unhide 0 0
#/dev/fd0 /media/fl auto user,noauto 0 0

/dev/sda1 /boot ext2 defaults 0 1
/dev/sda2 swap swap defaults 0 0
/dev/sda3 / ext2 defaults 0 1
/dev/sda4 /home ext2 defaults 0 1

=========================== sda7/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=0x317 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=vga=0x317

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

splashimage=166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3/boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.30.9
uuid 166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.30.9 root=UUID=166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.30.9
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.30.9 (recovery mode)
uuid 166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.30.9 root=UUID=166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.30.9

title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
uuid 166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Arch Linux (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz26 root=/dev/disk/by-uuid/8b04794b-2e25-44bc-8eb3-af16f451ab2a ro
initrd /kernel26.img
savedefault
boot


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Arch Linux Fallback (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz26 root=/dev/disk/by-uuid/8b04794b-2e25-44bc-8eb3-af16f451ab2a ro
initrd /kernel26-fallback.img
savedefault
boot


=============================== sda7/etc/fstab: ===============================

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# /dev/sda7
UUID=166147f5-5cf4-463e-bcec-2f28bf769fb3 / ext3 relatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1
# /dev/sda8
UUID=c2807b35-8739-4b35-b653-e9b3022d5431 none swap sw 0 0

=================== sda7: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================


218.2GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
218.2GB: boot/grub/stage2
218.2GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.30.9
218.2GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.30.9
218.2GB: initrd.img
218.2GB: vmlinuz

=========================== sdb/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

# By default, boot the first entry.
default 0

# Boot automatically after 30 secs.
timeout 30

splashimage=/boot/grub/bt4.xpm.gz
foreground e3e3e3
background 303030

title Start BackTrack FrameBuffer (1024x768)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz BOOT=casper boot=casper nopersistent rw quiet vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrd.gz

title Start BackTrack FrameBuffer (800x600)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz BOOT=casper boot=casper nopersistent rw quiet vga=0x314
initrd /boot/initrd800.gz

title Start BackTrack Forensics (no swap)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz BOOT=casper boot=casper nopersistent rw vga=0x317
initrd /boot/initrdfr.gz

title Start BackTrack in Safe Graphical Mode
kernel /boot/vmlinuz BOOT=casper boot=casper xforcevesa rw quiet
initrd /boot/initrd.gz

title Start Persistent Live CD
kernel /boot/vmlinuz BOOT=casper boot=casper persistent rw quiet
initrd /boot/initrd.gz

title Start BackTrack in Text Mode
kernel /boot/vmlinuz BOOT=casper boot=casper nopersistent textonly rw quiet
initrd /boot/initrd.gz

title Start BackTrack Graphical Mode from RAM
kernel /boot/vmlinuz BOOT=casper boot=casper toram nopersistent rw quiet
initrd /boot/initrd.gz

title Memory Test
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin

title Boot the First Hard Disk
root (hd0)
chainloader +1

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


.0GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
.0GB: boot/initrd800.gz
.0GB: boot/initrdfr.gz
.0GB: boot/initrd.gz
.0GB: boot/vmlinuz
=======Devices which don't seem to have a corresponding hard drive==============

sdc

Posts crossed "in flight" - deleted.

What do you mean?

Didn't realise you had a working system - could have run that scipt from BT.
If you'd posted the complete Arch fstab, we could have got going earlier - comment out the line for /dev/sda4 (put a # in column 1) in the Arch /etc/fstab. Do it from BT - as it's Ubuntu based you'll probably need sudo.

Oh ya XD
BT was the one working fine but Arch stopped at the disk check.
Okay trying this now will post the results.
Cheers and thanks mate :D

AHHH thank you so much!
I thought it had to do with that deleted home partition XD
thanks so much mate, cheers :D

One more question though how would i go about making a new home partition in arch?

Create a partition, mount it, and copy the current home over. As root from single user I'd use something like Update fstab to point to the right place (maybe use LABEL or by-uuid this time).