grub loader

bcbotha · 03-27-2009, 09:09 AM

thanks guys for all your hard thinking. i managed to get in. i booted up to the select screen chose the item i normally do, pressed 'e' selected root and pressed 'e' then deleted every thing that came after root and typed (hd0,1). and now it boots up fine.
thank you ronlau9 for sticking with me.

malekmustaq · 03-27-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcbotha

but then how do i get all my stuff off...can i or will i loose it all?

bcbotha:

You don't need to lose it all.

As I follow this thread it appears that only grub is misconfigured. There are many ways to approach the problem keeping your system safe and usable (as well as your data). But this needs a little reading on your part.

The most practical method at your current linux-familiarity is simply to reinstall Ubuntu on the same drive if no data is endangered; if there is, use the live cd to copy it into safer drivers before reinstalling the system (Note: format the drive again to avoid unnecessary issues later, this means, install ubuntu afresh).

Another way is to boot on live cd, mount your sda2 drive, then chroot into it. Being there you can reinstall grub. Having booted via live cd use the following syntax:

sudo -i <Enter password as required>
mkdir /mnt/mypart
mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/mypart
chroot /mnt/mypart
apt-get install grub {assuming you are online, wait until installed}
Then, if install succeeds, edify your MBR, syntax:
grub-install /dev/sda {do not put an integer after sda}
Finally, reboot:
Ctl+Alt+Del

Just try either of the above simple solutions.

Check back if anything goes wrong. We have a lot of good and wiser people here to help you if my suggestions do not work for you.

Hope this helps.

malekmustaq · 03-27-2009, 01:33 PM

Follow up.

Congratulations. Good that you solved it via Esc, Tab, e.

Reminder:

Editing grub via "e" + "b" does not change the entries on /boot/grub/menu.lst. This means you have to redo same editing each time you boot.

You have to go and edit grub's menu.lst.

And next time avoid using the word "setup (hd0,1)" grub does not understand it. Correct syntax is "root (hd0,1)" followed by "kernel" and "initrd" lines.

Goodluck and have fun using your Ubuntu. Check back as you may find other noobs needing same solution that you made which you may be able to share them your experience.

Welcome and have fun.

chrism01 · 03-28-2009, 01:10 AM

Actually

Code:

        root (hd0,0)
        kernel /xen.gz-2.6.18-128.1.1.el5
        module /vmlinuz-2.6.18-128.1.1.el5xen ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet

is for the content of (in my case)
/boot/grub/grub.conf

To recover a corrupt grub
1. boot off install media

2. try

Code:

chroot /mnt/sysimage
grub-install /dev/hda
exit

if (2) fails use

Code:

# grub
grub>root (hd0,0)
grub>setup (hd0)
grub>quit

Adjust (2) to use sda if needed. For (3) remember that grub counts disks and partitions from 0 and always uses hd notation (never sd) regardless.