Hullo! This is my first post here.

Am bit of a newish user of Linux. I just completely erased my Windows in a dual boot setup with Ubuntu 11.10 after destroying the partitions.

Now, I am trying to get to work a triple boot system on one disk.

I installed PC BSD first, without the bootloader. Then Mandriva, then Linux Mint 11, which works fine

Grub 2 loads Mint fine, lists Mandriva, but cannot load it. I only get " a kernel panic not syncing" message. It cannot see the BSD install.

Here is the output of fdisk:

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 3188 25599955+ a5 FreeBSD
/dev/sda2 3189 30395 218532391+ 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 3189 6927 30033486 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 6928 8495 12594928+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 8496 9004 4088511 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda8 9005 30135 169729024 83 Linux
/dev/sda9 30135 30395 2084864 82 Linux swap / Solaris


I tried tinkering with the grub.cfg but could not get it to work.

I also tried installing grub customizer and changing the hard disk partition numbers, but it did not work.

I tried reverting to GRUB legacy but the system crashed and I had to do a boot rescue repair.

Has anyone else tried to make the above distros work?

Any help is appreciated.

Malloy

If Mint works and you are using its bootloader, post the output of /boot/grub/grub.cfg, at least the part referring to Mandriva.
What partition do you believe Mandriva is on?

You could also get much more detailed information by googling bootinfoscript, going to the site downloading and running the script. Read the instructions available first and post the output here if you need to.

Thank you for the quick reply.

The output is:

Generating grub.cfg ...
Found Debian background: linuxmint.png
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found unknown Linux distribution on /dev/sda1
Found Mandriva Linux 2011.0 (2011.0) on /dev/sda6
done

I think Mandriva is on 6, based on the output, correct?
Also, I was recently able to boot into BSD from GAG on a cdrom but not into Mandriva.

I just ran the boot info script and am trying to read the results. Will post after I read it all. Thanks!

Here are the contents of results.txt


Boot Info Script 0.60 from 17 May 2011


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

=> Grub Legacy (v0.97) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the
same drive in partition #8 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.

sda1: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ufs
Boot sector type: Unknown
Boot sector info:
Mounting failed: mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sda1,
missing codepage or helper program, or other error
In some cases useful info is found in syslog - try
dmesg | tail or so


sda2: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sda5: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files:

sda6: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Mandriva Linux release 2011.0
(Official) for i586 Kernel 2.6.38.7-desktop-1mnb2 on a
Dual-processor i686 /
Boot files: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab

sda7: __________________________________________________________________________

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

sda8: __________________________________________________________________________

File system: ext4
Boot sector type: Grub Legacy
Boot sector info: Grub Legacy (v0.97) is installed in the boot sector
of sda8 and looks at sector 342066944 of the same hard
drive for the stage2 file. A stage2 file is at this
location on /dev/sda. Stage2 looks on partition #8
for /boot/grub/menu.lst.
Operating System: Linux Mint 11 Katya
Boot files: /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/grub.cfg
/boot/burg/burg.cfg /etc/fstab /boot/grub/core.img
/boot/burg/core.img

sda9: __________________________________________________________________________

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

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

Drive: sda _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 250.0 GB, 250000000000 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30394 cylinders, total 488281250 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Partition Boot Start Sector End Sector # of Sectors Id System

/dev/sda1 * 126 51,200,036 51,199,911 a5 FreeBSD
/dev/sda2 51,215,281 488,280,063 437,064,783 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 51,215,283 111,282,254 60,066,972 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 111,282,318 136,472,174 25,189,857 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 136,472,238 144,649,259 8,177,022 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda8 144,650,240 484,108,287 339,458,048 83 Linux
/dev/sda9 484,110,336 488,280,063 4,169,728 82 Linux swap / Solaris


"blkid" output: ________________________________________________________________

Device UUID TYPE LABEL

/dev/sda1 ufs
/dev/sda5 7a3da5fe-01ef-442a-9284-5c6b2ba54d34 ext4
/dev/sda6 20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 ext4
/dev/sda7 12ce4fc1-e773-4aba-956a-c85d592240e6 swap
/dev/sda8 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8 ext4
/dev/sda9 2fdc0d73-501a-46ab-ba00-4a72625be127 swap

================================ Mount points: =================================

Device Mount_Point Type Options

/dev/sda8 / ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0)


=========================== sda6/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
timeout 10
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
gfxmenu (hd0,5)/boot/gfxmenu
default 0

title linux
kernel (hd0,5)/boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot logo.nologo quiet resume=UUID=12ce4fc1-e773-4aba-956a-c85d592240e6 splash=silent vga=788
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img

title linux-nonfb
kernel (hd0,5)/boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux-nonfb root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot resume=UUID=12ce4fc1-e773-4aba-956a-c85d592240e6
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img

title failsafe
kernel (hd0,5)/boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=failsafe root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot failsafe
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda6/etc/fstab: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Entry for /dev/sda6 :
UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 / ext4 defaults 1 1
none /proc proc defaults 0 0
# Entry for /dev/sda5 :
UUID=7a3da5fe-01ef-442a-9284-5c6b2ba54d34 /usr ext4 acl,relatime 1 2
# Entry for /dev/sda7 :
UUID=12ce4fc1-e773-4aba-956a-c85d592240e6 swap swap defaults 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda6: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

53.251334190 = 57.178184704 boot/grub/menu.lst 1
53.315688133 = 57.247284224 boot/grub/stage2 1
53.224795341 = 57.149688832 boot/initramfs-2.6.38.7-desktop-1mnb2.img 1
53.696482658 = 57.656159232 boot/initrd.img 2
53.193789482 = 57.116396544 boot/vmlinuz 1
53.193789482 = 57.116396544 boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38.7-desktop-1mnb2 1
53.193789482 = 57.116396544 boot/vmlinuz-desktop 1

=========================== sda8/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-legacy-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 3

## 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=107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8

## 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=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## 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

## specify if running in Xen domU or have grub detect automatically
## update-grub will ignore non-xen kernels when running in domU and vice versa
## e.g. indomU=detect
## indomU=true
## indomU=false
# indomU=detect

## 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 ##

title Linux Mint 11 Katya, kernel 2.6.38-8-generic
uuid 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
quiet

title Linux Mint 11 Katya, kernel 2.6.38-8-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic

title Chainload into GRUB 2
root 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
kernel /boot/grub/core.img

title Linux Mint 11 Katya, memtest86+
uuid 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=========================== sda8/boot/grub/grub.cfg: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
saved_entry="${chosen}"
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=5
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
insmod png
if background_image /boot/grub/linuxmint.png ; then
set color_normal=white/black
set color_highlight=white/light-gray
else
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=white/light-gray
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Linux Mint 11, 2.6.38-8-generic (/dev/sda8)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 11, 2.6.38-8-generic (/dev/sda8) -- recovery mode' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.38-8-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober_proxy ###
menuentry "linux (on /dev/sda5)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot logo.nologo quiet resume=UUID=12ce4fc1-e773-4aba-956a-c85d592240e6 splash=silent vga=788
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry "linux-nonfb (on /dev/sda5)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux-nonfb root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot resume=UUID=12ce4fc1-e773-4aba-956a-c85d592240e6
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry "failsafe (on /dev/sda5)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=failsafe root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot failsafe
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=========================== sda8/boot/burg/burg.cfg: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/burg-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/burg.d and settings from /etc/default/burg
#

### BEGIN /etc/burg.d/00_header ###
set theme_name=burg
if [ -s $prefix/burgenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}
set gfxmode=VGA1
function select_menu {
if menu_popup -t template_popup theme_menu ; then
free_config template_popup template_subitem menu class screen
load_config ${prefix}/themes/${theme_name}/theme ${prefix}/themes/custom/theme_${theme_name}
save_env theme_name
menu_refresh
fi
}
function toggle_fold {
if test -z $theme_fold ; then
set theme_fold=1
else
set theme_fold=
fi
save_env theme_fold
menu_refresh
}
function select_resolution {
if menu_popup -t template_popup resolution_menu ; then
menu_reload_mode
fi
}
if test -f ${prefix}/themes/${theme_name}/theme ; then
insmod coreui
menu_region.text
load_string '+theme_menu { -arabic_and_freedom { command="set theme_name=arabic_and_freedom" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -autumn { command="set theme_name=autumn" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -black_and_white { command="set theme_name=black_and_white" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -burg { command="set theme_name=burg" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -chiva { command="set theme_name=chiva" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -coffee { command="set theme_name=coffee" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -homer { command="set theme_name=homer" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -minimal_by_sir { command="set theme_name=minimal_by_sir" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -minimum { command="set theme_name=minimum" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -proto { command="set theme_name=proto" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -radiance { command="set theme_name=radiance" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -radiancetext { command="set theme_name=radiancetext" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -refit { command="set theme_name=refit" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -sora { command="set theme_name=sora" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -sora_clean { command="set theme_name=sora_clean" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -sora_extended { command="set theme_name=sora_extended" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -ubuntu { command="set theme_name=ubuntu" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -ubuntu2 { command="set theme_name=ubuntu2" }}'
load_string '+theme_menu { -winter { command="set theme_name=winter" }}'
load_config ${prefix}/themes/conf.d/10_hotkey
load_config ${prefix}/themes/${theme_name}/theme ${prefix}/themes/custom/theme_${theme_name}
insmod vbe
insmod png
insmod jpeg
set gfxfont="Unifont Regular 16"
menu_region.gfx
vmenu resolution_menu
controller.ext
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/burg/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
set timeout=5
### END /etc/burg.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/burg.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'LinuxMint GNU/Linux, with Linux 2.6.38-8-generic' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os --group group_main {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.38-8-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8 ro quiet splash
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
### END /etc/burg.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/burg.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "linux (on /dev/sda6)" --class mandrake --class os --group group_/dev/sda6 {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot logo.nologo quiet resume=UUID=12ce4fc1-e773-4aba-956a-c85d592240e6 splash=silent vga=788
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry "linux-nonfb (on /dev/sda6)" --class mandrake --class os --group group_/dev/sda6 {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux-nonfb root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot resume=UUID=12ce4fc1-e773-4aba-956a-c85d592240e6
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry "failsafe (on /dev/sda6)" --class mandrake --class os --group group_/dev/sda6 {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=failsafe root=UUID=20066e93-b9d5-42fc-bf7a-ed12222bf158 nokmsboot failsafe
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
}
### END /etc/burg.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/burg.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/burg.d/40_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda8/etc/fstab: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
# / was on /dev/sda8 during installation
UUID=107be7d3-f207-402e-9a36-3dee12ebf4d8 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda9 during installation
UUID=2fdc0d73-501a-46ab-ba00-4a72625be127 none swap sw 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda8: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

GiB - GB File Fragment(s)

99.219776154 = 106.536423424 boot/burg/burg.cfg 1
163.113170624 = 175.141433344 boot/burg/core.img 1
163.109306335 = 175.137284096 boot/grub/core.img 1
163.109642029 = 175.137644544 boot/grub/grub.cfg 1
151.109512329 = 162.252603392 boot/grub/menu.lst 1
163.107532501 = 175.135379456 boot/grub/stage2 1
69.451171875 = 74.572627968 boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic 2
163.106910706 = 175.134711808 boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic 1
69.451171875 = 74.572627968 initrd.img 2
163.106910706 = 175.134711808 vmlinuz 1

======================== Unknown MBRs/Boot Sectors/etc: ========================

Unknown BootLoader on sda1

00000000 eb 3c 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 |.<..............|
00000010 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 12 00 02 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
00000020 00 00 00 00 00 16 1f 66 6a 00 51 50 06 53 31 c0 |.......fj.QP.S1.|
00000030 88 f0 50 6a 10 89 e5 e8 c0 00 8d 66 10 cb fc 31 |..Pj.......f...1|
00000040 c9 8e c1 8e d9 8e d1 bc 00 7c 89 e6 bf 00 07 fe |.........|......|
00000050 c5 f3 a5 be ee 7d 80 fa 80 72 2c b6 01 e8 60 00 |.....}...r,...`.|
00000060 b9 01 00 be be 8d b6 01 80 7c 04 a5 75 07 e3 19 |.........|..u...|
00000070 f6 04 80 75 14 83 c6 10 fe c6 80 fe 05 72 e9 49 |...u.........r.I|
00000080 e3 e1 be a2 7d eb 4b 31 d2 89 16 00 09 b6 10 e8 |....}.K1........|
00000090 2e 00 bb 00 90 8b 77 0a 01 de bf 00 c0 b9 00 ae |......w.........|
000000a0 29 f1 f3 a4 fa 49 74 14 e4 64 a8 02 75 f7 b0 d1 |)....It..d..u...|
000000b0 e6 64 e4 64 a8 02 75 fa b0 df e6 60 fb e9 50 13 |.d.d..u....`..P.|
000000c0 bb 00 8c 8b 44 08 8b 4c 0a 0e e8 5a ff 73 2a be |....D..L...Z.s*.|
000000d0 9d 7d e8 1c 00 be a7 7d e8 16 00 30 e4 cd 16 c7 |.}.....}...0....|
000000e0 06 72 04 34 12 ea f0 ff 00 f0 bb 07 00 b4 0e cd |.r.4............|
000000f0 10 ac 84 c0 75 f4 b4 01 f9 c3 2e f6 06 b0 08 80 |....u...........|
00000100 74 22 80 fa 80 72 1d bb aa 55 52 b4 41 cd 13 5a |t"...r...UR.A..Z|
00000110 72 12 81 fb 55 aa 75 0c f6 c1 01 74 07 89 ee b4 |r...U.u....t....|
00000120 42 cd 13 c3 52 b4 08 cd 13 88 f5 5a 72 cb 80 e1 |B...R......Zr...|
00000130 3f 74 c3 fa 66 8b 46 08 52 66 0f b6 d9 66 31 d2 |?t..f.F.Rf...f1.|
00000140 66 f7 f3 88 eb 88 d5 43 30 d2 66 f7 f3 88 d7 5a |f......C0.f....Z|
00000150 66 3d ff 03 00 00 fb 77 9d 86 c4 c0 c8 02 08 e8 |f=.....w........|
00000160 40 91 88 fe 28 e0 8a 66 02 38 e0 72 02 b0 01 bf |@...(..f.8.r....|
00000170 05 00 c4 5e 04 50 b4 02 cd 13 5b 73 0a 4f 74 1c |...^.P....[s.Ot.|
00000180 30 e4 cd 13 93 eb eb 0f b6 c3 01 46 08 73 03 ff |0..........F.s..|
00000190 46 0a d0 e3 00 5e 05 28 46 02 77 88 c3 52 65 61 |F....^.(F.w..Rea|
000001a0 64 00 42 6f 6f 74 00 20 65 72 72 6f 72 0d 0a 00 |d.Boot. error...|
000001b0 80 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 00 00 |................|
000001c0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
*
000001e0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 80 00 |................|
000001f0 01 00 a5 fe ff ff 00 00 00 00 50 c3 00 00 55 aa |..........P...U.|
00000200

Unknown BootLoader on sda2

00000000 77 19 aa 3e 97 fc 75 a9 46 5d a9 06 14 a3 60 2f |w..>..u.F]....`/|
00000010 a3 6e e3 68 8c 55 c1 d2 80 6b 57 71 36 3e d2 05 |.n.h.U...kWq6>..|
00000020 10 66 3f d6 b8 da 10 9f 1c 6c b7 be 4f bb 8d f9 |.f?......l..O...|
00000030 80 76 9e 12 47 83 ee 2e c7 a1 d4 40 84 10 20 8f |.v..G......@.. .|
00000040 79 54 51 44 10 76 c6 d3 0d 60 8d 38 62 79 33 12 |yTQD.v...`.8by3.|
00000050 f6 e7 ef 96 68 e8 10 80 29 38 87 90 95 e4 94 37 |....h...)8.....7|
00000060 12 4e 24 d1 55 ac 83 f9 04 d2 c3 02 42 4a 77 26 |.N$.U.......BJw&|
00000070 39 8b 13 20 9a 43 0d c5 15 93 c0 62 92 91 9d 23 |9.. .C.....b...#|
00000080 0c f0 09 89 88 24 25 20 29 0d 4e 74 24 34 fe 84 |.....$% ).Nt$4..|
00000090 32 d6 26 0d 48 09 c0 62 18 1a 82 10 68 05 60 61 |2.&.H..b....h.`a|
000000a0 6f c3 11 b1 b4 4d 40 e8 82 1f 93 f0 1b a5 bf 26 |o....M@........&|
000000b0 9c 90 9e 13 8c ff 41 3f a4 93 dc df dc df 13 10 |......A?........|
000000c0 fc f7 0f 6d a2 83 02 09 20 10 5b 91 43 20 89 09 |...m.... .[.C ..|
000000d0 40 09 08 a6 d2 f9 9e 6c f1 43 49 7c ad c9 d1 96 |@......l.CI|....|
000000e0 cd 22 11 4f d0 8c 05 dc e0 15 c5 51 7f e0 8f 14 |.".O.......Q....|
000000f0 7d d7 10 a8 cd a2 8a 40 d0 d0 2e ff ab 1d 9f 44 |}......@.......D|
00000100 ce da b6 c0 4f 0b 3a a8 aa 17 46 ab 21 8e 13 e5 |....O.:...F.!...|
00000110 6d d7 b0 a8 0c b1 1b 63 22 59 ae 45 ba 09 3f c6 |m......c"Y.E..?.|
00000120 b9 64 94 31 b5 71 49 fb 6e 43 92 17 92 d1 ac fd |.d.1.qI.nC......|
00000130 ee 5a 51 43 db 4d e6 cb 54 f1 85 34 ca dd 48 d1 |.ZQC.M..T..4..H.|
00000140 56 3f 40 15 03 18 7a 52 07 c0 ba 9b e0 15 bb 34 |V?@...zR.......4|
00000150 02 70 18 16 1a 18 91 80 54 ae 57 24 ac 33 6d c9 |.p......T.W$.3m.|
00000160 70 0c 79 09 19 49 fd 26 93 96 3f e9 00 26 0d 0c |p.y..I.&..?..&..|
00000170 01 30 0d 8a 4e 4b 18 56 02 9f 20 ae 9c 2b b2 48 |.0..NK.V.. ..+.H|
00000180 cf 76 ad a1 99 45 c0 6c 1a cb 18 38 50 a8 9a 53 |.v...E.l...8P..S|
00000190 84 3e 19 d4 60 0f 60 0a ca e9 25 bf 6d 9b 12 45 |.>..`.`...%.m..E|
000001a0 b0 b7 17 20 05 00 65 ce cc ee 25 e8 a2 db 48 62 |... ..e...%...Hb|
000001b0 48 43 43 52 87 18 f9 39 95 8d 80 a1 31 2c 00 fe |HCCR...9....1,..|
000001c0 ff ff 83 fe ff ff 02 00 00 00 9c 8c 94 03 00 fe |................|
000001d0 ff ff 05 fe ff ff 9e 8c 94 03 20 5e 80 01 00 00 |.......... ^....|
000001e0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
000001f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 55 aa |..............U.|
00000200


========= Devices which don't seem to have a corresponding hard drive: =========

sdb sdc sdd sde

Wow! What a mess. I've seen worse though.
You have three different bootloaders. Grub Legacy, Grub2 (Mint default) and Burg and boot files for all three are on sda8, your Mint partition. You have Grub Legacy in the master boot record pointing to a menu.lst file on sda8 which has an entry for Mint but not for BSD or Mandriva (The BSD thing will probably need to be a separate thread?). You also have a chainloader entry in the Mint menu.lst file which chainloads to the grub.cfg file for Mint on sda8 which has an entry for Mandriva. You say this shows but doesn't boot? If you compare your Mint entry in its grub.cfg file to the Mandriva entry you will note that there is a uuid entry three times for Mandriva and twice for Mint and the third entry for Mandriva is for the swap partition. You could remove the swap uuid but I don't know if that will help.

My suggestion and what I think would be the fastest solution, reinstall Grub2. You can get info at the site below and it is also a good tutorial on Grub2. Section 4.G explains how to reinstall Grub2 to the master boot record while booted into Mint.

If that doesn't go well, the next best solution given the state of things would be to install Mandriva to the same partition and install its Grub Legacy bootloader to its / (root) partition. Then install Mint and install Grub to the master boot record. If you cannot boot Mandriva then, run sudo update-grub from a terminal in Mint. This will clean up the system of all the bootloader files also.

Haha! Quite a mess I've made, eh? It's a wonder it works.

I'll try some of the solutions you outlined above. Thanks!