Linux will not boot from HD with Win HD connected to system
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Linux will not boot from HD with Win HD connected to system
Hi all,
I just install Mint 7 KDE on a new hd (I have all my other hds with Win Vista and Win 7 disconnected from the system. I was able to boot from Mint 7 drive a few times, but when I connected back the two other drives for triple boot purpose, the Linux would not boot. Does this make any sense to you? I do not know what I'm dealing here with. This is my firs try of Linux.
Thank you
KH
Thank you for the answer. Sorry I did not use the search feature - I did not know how to describe my problem. Anyway, I choose boot drive in the BIOS, does this make any difference?
Thanks KH
Well, I reinstalled the Linux leaving both drives (Vista and Win 7) connected to the system. It helped a little. Now at the start up I get Linux boot menu with default choice of Linux. Can I edit boot file in Linux to have Vista as the first choice (kind of like in Windows)? Or maybe it is in Windows?
Thank you
Last edited by Kroutt; 08-23-2009 at 12:11 AM.
Reason: spelling
I think I spoke too soon when I said the reinstall helped a little - I was able to start Vista from Linux boot menu and sent the message from there before I tried the other choices. None of the other choices on the Linux boot screen works. Now I am getting error 17: cannot mount selected partition, when I choose to start Linux.
Just tried to disconnect hd with Linux - the rest of the OSs will not start automatically, I get error 21 now. Total mess.
Any idea how did I get myself in this and how can I get out?
Thanks
Last edited by Kroutt; 08-23-2009 at 11:40 AM.
Reason: more info
let's see if i got this right with both drives plugged in you get a grub boot menu, can boot into both vista and win7, but not linux. when you remove the linux hardrive, no grub boot menu? if this is the case your /boot/grub/menu.lst linux entry is wrong
install both hardrives at the grub menu prompt highlight the linux menu and hit the "e" for edit. tryin changing the line that reads
Code:
root (hd0,0)
to
Code:
root (hd1,0)
this is assuming you have only one partition on th linux hardrive and the first one is your current entry, after changing the line hit "b" to boot. reverse the entry if it's the other way around. if this works edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst linux entry once linux is booted
Last edited by colorpurple21859; 08-23-2009 at 03:11 PM.
I have Vista on one drive and Linux on another (I unplugged Win 7 from the system when I installed Linux). If I have them both plugged in, the grub menu comes on with Linux as a default boot. I'd like Vista to be a default boot for my other users sake. I also like to add Win 7 to the grub boot menu anywhere. I am the only one who is using Linux and Win 7.
Now, if I unplug Linux drive - nothing boots. I get error 17 - cannot mount selected partition.
This is my grub/menu.lst file:
## ## End Default Options ##
title Linux Mint 7 Gloria KDE, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=/dev/sdb1 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
quiet
title Linux Mint 7 Gloria KDE, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd1,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=/dev/sdb1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
title Linux Mint 7 Gloria KDE, memtest86+
root (hd1,0)
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 a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows Vista (loader)
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1
I tried to edit this with text editor but could not save it.
change gedit to whatever text editor your distro has, for win7 it will be something similar to the vista entry the rootnoverify line will be different.
Last edited by colorpurple21859; 08-23-2009 at 05:30 PM.
Hi, open the editor with root privileges. You need root to be able to save any changes.
sudo vi /boot/grub/menu.lst
edit the file and :wq to write (save) and quit the vi editor.
Quick vi tute
Code:
vi is operated in a shell, like Konsole or term
Quick keys...
I = insert “edit mode”
Esc = exit mode/s
:w = write
:q = quit
:wq! = force write quit (does not always over-ride the admin permissions)
regards Glenn
Last edited by GlennsPref; 08-23-2009 at 05:46 PM.
Reason: spelling and gramma
For you guys, with more than two days of Linux experience, this will be a stupid question. How do I open the editor with root privileges?
Unfortunately I know nothing about Linux and already got myself in trouble.
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