Coolname007
Distinguished Member
With all the boot problems we get here, I thought this may prove to be useful.
SourceForge.net: Boot Info Script
Run the script via:
sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh (if your OS uses sudo)
or
su -
bash /home/<username>/boot_info_script*.sh (otherwise)
The results will be in the file RESULTS.txt on your desktop.
Hope this helps somebody.
Jake
SourceForge.net: Boot Info Script
An example of a RESULTS.txt file (the boot info results returned after running the script) from [all variants] Resized Partitions with GParted - Cannot Boot Vista - Ubuntu Forums:boot_info_script is a bash script which searches all hard drives attached to the computer for information related to booting and displays it in a convenient format. Its primary use is for troubleshooting booting problems.
boot_info_script: troubleshoot boot problems - Boot Land============================= Boot Info Summary: ==============================
=> Grub0.97 is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the same drive
in partition #3 for /grub/stage2 and /grub/menu.lst.
=> No boot loader? is installed in the MBR of /dev/sdb
sda1: _________________________________________________________________________
File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda1 starts
at sector 2048. But according to the info from fdisk,
sda1 starts at sector 63.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /BOOTMGR /boot/bcd /BOOT/bcd /Boot/bcd
/boot/BCD /BOOT/BCD /Boot/BCD
sda2: _________________________________________________________________________
File system: ntfs
Boot sector type: Windows Vista
Boot sector info: According to the info in the boot sector, sda2 starts
at sector 13942784. But according to the info from
fdisk, sda2 starts at sector 13940640.
Operating System: Windows Vista
Boot files/dirs: /bootmgr /Boot/bcd /Boot/BCD
/Windows/System32/winload.exe
/Windows/System32/Winload.exe
sda3: _________________________________________________________________________
File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs: /grub/menu.lst
sda4: _________________________________________________________________________
File system: Extended Partition
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sda5: _________________________________________________________________________
File system: swap
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
sda6: _________________________________________________________________________
File system: ext3
Boot sector type: -
Boot sector info:
Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 5.0
Boot files/dirs: /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab
sda7: _________________________________________________________________________
File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Vista: Fat 32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:
sdb1: _________________________________________________________________________
File system: vfat
Boot sector type: Vista: Fat 32
Boot sector info: No errors found in the Boot Parameter Block.
Operating System:
Boot files/dirs:
=========================== Drive/Partition Info: =============================
Drive: sda ___________________ _____________________________________________________
Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
240 heads, 63 sectors/track, 20673 cylinders, total 312581808 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x9455d63a
Partition Boot Start End Size Id System
/dev/sda1 63 13,940,639 13,940,577 27 Hidden HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 * 13,940,640 175,694,399 161,753,760 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 175,694,400 175,769,999 75,600 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 175,770,000 312,605,999 136,836,000 f W95 Ext d (LBA)
/dev/sda5 175,785,120 179,686,079 3,900,960 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6 179,686,143 271,842,479 92,156,337 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 271,842,543 312,575,759 40,733,217 b W95 FAT32
/dev/sda4 ends after the last sector of /dev/sda
Drive: sdb ___________________ _____________________________________________________
Disk /dev/sdb: 8019 MB, 8019509248 bytes
5 heads, 32 sectors/track, 97894 cylinders, total 15663104 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xf244be00
Partition Boot Start End Size Id System
/dev/sdb1 8,064 15,663,103 15,655,040 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
blkid -c /dev/null: ____________________________________________________________
/dev/sda1: UUID="2A9C301D9C2FE1D5" LABEL="ServiceV002" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda2: UUID="C63E346A3E345621" LABEL="Windows System" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sda3: UUID="ee46df09-e0d2-4ec0-ba0b-e312a5fc4df2" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda5: TYPE="swap"
/dev/sda6: LABEL="Debian Ext3" UUID="bbafb375-23dc-4b14-a80a-ce25db2f9c8d" TYPE="ext3"
/dev/sda7: LABEL="OS SHARE" UUID="FEB3-0857" TYPE="vfat"
/dev/sdb1: LABEL="PATRIOT" UUID="F416-CACF" TYPE="vfat"
=============================== "mount" output: ===============================
/dev/sda6 on / type ext3 (rw,errors=remount-ro)
tmpfs on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)
procbususb on /proc/bus/usb type usbfs (rw)
udev on /dev type tmpfs (rw,mode=0755)
tmpfs on /dev/shm type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,noexec,nosuid,gid=5,mode=620)
/dev/sda3 on /boot type ext3 (rw)
nfsd on /proc/fs/nfsd type nfsd (rw)
/dev/sdb1 on /media/PATRIOT type vfat (rw,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=hal,shortname=lower,uid=1000)
============================= sda3/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 change this entry to 'saved' 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 15
# 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=/dev/sda6 ro
## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,2)
## 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=
## 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=(single-user) single
# altoptions=(single-user 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 ##
title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.26-2-amd64
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.26-2-amd64 root=/dev/sda6 ro
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.26-2-amd64
title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.26-2-amd64 (single-user mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.26-2-amd64 root=/dev/sda6 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.26-2-amd64
title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-6-amd64
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-amd64 root=/dev/sda6 ro
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.18-6-amd64
title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-6-amd64 (single-user mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-amd64 root=/dev/sda6 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.18-6-amd64
### 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/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /bootmgr
chainloader /bootmgr
#savedefault
#makeactive
#chainloader +1
# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /bootmgr
chainloader /bootmgr
#savedefault
#makeactive
#chainloader +1
# Trying yet more things!
title Windows Vista!
find --set-root /bootmgr
makeactive
kernel /bootmgr
chainloader /bootmgr
=================== sda3: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
89.9GB: grub/menu.lst
89.9GB: grub/stage2
89.9GB: initrd.img-2.6.18-6-amd64
89.9GB: initrd.img-2.6.18-6-amd64.bak
89.9GB: initrd.img-2.6.26-2-amd64
89.9GB: initrd.img-2.6.26-2-amd64.bak
89.9GB: vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-amd64
89.9GB: vmlinuz-2.6.26-2-amd64
=========================== sda6/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 change this entry to 'saved' 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 15
# 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=/dev/sda6 ro
## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,2)
## 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=
## 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=(single-user) single
# altoptions=(single-user 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 ##
title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.26-2-amd64
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.26-2-amd64 root=/dev/sda6 ro
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.26-2-amd64
title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.26-2-amd64 (single-user mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.26-2-amd64 root=/dev/sda6 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.26-2-amd64
title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-6-amd64
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-amd64 root=/dev/sda6 ro
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.18-6-amd64
title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-6-amd64 (single-user mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-amd64 root=/dev/sda6 ro single
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.18-6-amd64
### 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/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /bootmgr
chainloader /bootmgr
#savedefault
#makeactive
#chainloader +1
# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Windows Vista/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /bootmgr
chainloader /bootmgr
#savedefault
#makeactive
#chainloader +1
# Trying yet more things!
title Windows Vista!
find --set-root /bootmgr
makeactive
kernel /bootmgr
chainloader /bootmgr
=============================== sda6/etc/fstab: ===============================
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
/dev/sda6 / ext3 errors=remount-ro 0 1
/dev/sda3 /boot ext3 defaults 0 2
/dev/sda5 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/hda /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto 0 0
=================== sda6: Location of files loaded by Grub: ===================
92.0GB: boot/grub/menu.lst
92.0GB: boot/grub/stage2
92.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-6-amd64
92.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-6-amd64.bak
92.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.26-2-amd64
92.0GB: boot/initrd.img-2.6.26-2-amd64.bak
92.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-amd64
92.0GB: boot/vmlinuz-2.6.26-2-amd64
92.0GB: initrd.img
92.0GB: vmlinuz
=======Devices which don't seem to have a corresponding hard drive==============
hda
=============================== StdErr Messages: ===============================
umount: /tmp/BootInfo/sda7: device is busy
umount: /tmp/BootInfo/sda7: device is busy
The author of the script goes by the username "Meierfra" at the Ubuntu forums, and is respected greatly by the community. The script only works from a Linux platform, not Windows, and so it is limited to users who either have a working Linux installed on their computer, or who have access to a LiveCD to run it from. The script needs to be saved to the Linux desktop (after downloading it), and then executed from the command line.It is able to determine which MBR is installed to a certain device (by looking at the first two bytes of the hard drive to identify the boot code installed in the MBR):
- Grub
- Grub 2
- Windows
- Syslinux
- Lilo
- Solaris
- TestDisk
- Gag
- Grub4Dos
- Plop
- HP/Gateway
- Acer 3
- Thinkpad
- BootIT NG
- No bootloader
- No known bootloader
Run the script via:
sudo bash ~/Desktop/boot_info_script*.sh (if your OS uses sudo)
or
su -
bash /home/<username>/boot_info_script*.sh (otherwise)
The results will be in the file RESULTS.txt on your desktop.
Hope this helps somebody.
Jake
