"GRUB_" Ubuntu Boot Error

geeksquad1516

Active Member
I have a Toshiba Tecra m2 w/ a 320 GB HD

-45 GB Primary NTFS (Windows 7 RC)
-230 GB Primary NTFS (Windows XP)
-45 GB Extended
-41 GB Logical EXT3 (Ubuntu 8.10 /)
-4 GB Logical SWAP

I installed XP, then Windows 7, and got them working using EasyBCD 2.0 (finally it automatically copies boot.ini and the likes).

I followed the tutorial at Ubuntu - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki and installed Ubuntu 8.10 to the 41 GB logical drive, and as per the tutorial's instructions I also installed the GRUB bootloader on that partition.

I added the Ubuntu installation under Linux-GRUB on EasyBCD and restarted to test it. When I chose the "Ubuntu 8.10" option in the Windows Bootloader, it took me to an empty screen with "GRUB_" in the upper right hand corner. I can't type or anything, so I have no way to access the Ubuntu installation.

Please help me fix GRUB so that I can use my Intrepid Ibex.

P.S. Should I use GRUB as my main bootloader, or just have the Windows Bootloader send me to the GRUB when I want to use Ubuntu?
 
Hello geeksquad (cool name, BTW:brows:smile:, welcome to NST.
When you were creating the Ubuntu entry, did you make sure to not check the box called "Grub isn't installed..." under the Linux tab? You're only supposed to check it when Linux is on a different drive then Windows. For the same HDD, he standard Linux option should work (as long as you use the latest beta release of EasyBCD).
However, if you did check the box, that would indicate possibly that you have a mis-configured Ubuntu menu.lst (which is located at /boot/grub/menu.lst on your Ubuntu partition). If that is the case, you can go ahead, boot from the LiveCD, and choose "Try Ubuntu with no change to my computer", and once you get to the desktop, navigate to where your menu.lst is, and copy over (using one method or another) the contents of the menu.lst into your next post, along with the output of the following command run from Applications>Accessories>Terminal in the Live session:

Code:
sudo fdisk -l
The last letter is a lowercase "L".

Jake
 
Ok, so in EasyBCD, that should translate to drive 0, partition 3 (it should show it as a Linux partition). Is that where you pointed the entry to under the "Device" menu under the Linux tab in the Add/Remove Entries section of EasyBCD?
 
I am positive I made the right choice because in both the Ubuntu installer and EasyBCD I chose the partition that was 41 GB, of which there is only one.

My menu.lst reads:
# 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=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b ro


## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b


## 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


## 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 Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic
uuid 30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
quiet


title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (recovery mode)
uuid 30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic


title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
uuid 30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b
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/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
chainloader +1




# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,1)
savedefault
chainloader +1
The command reads:
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo fdisk -l



Disk /dev/sda: 320.0 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000645d6


Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 5874 47182873+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 5875 33039 218202862+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 33040 38913 47182905 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 33040 38391 42989908+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 38392 38913 4192933+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
Thanks for your help!
 
Last edited:
Please edit your post, and use
tags around the text, instead of
Code:
 ones. As you can see, it breaks things around here...
Now to your problem.
[quote="geeksquad1516, post: 37411"]
       ## ## End Default Options ##
     
   
  title                  Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic
    [B]uuid                 30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b[/B]
    kernel              /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b ro quiet splash 
    initrd               /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
    quiet
     
   
  title                  Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (recovery mode)
    [B]uuid                 30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b[/B]
    kernel              /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b ro  single
    initrd               /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
     
   
  title                  Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
   [B] uuid                 30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b[/B]
    kernel              /boot/memtest86+.bin
    quiet
     
   
  ### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
     
  [/quote]
Replace the UUID lines I marked in [B]bold[/B] with
[code]root (hd0,4)
instead, and see if the same problem occurs or not. You will need to be root, in order to save the changes though. So just do
Code:
sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst
in the Terminal to open your menu.lst as root. Then make the changes I mentioned, and save it.
 
How do I open the file from Terminal?

Addendum:

When I try what you said (the command in Terminal) it brings up a blank document. Also, would I want to replace the whole line with root (hd0,4) or would I keep the uuid in?
 
Last edited:
How do I open the file from Terminal?

Addendum:

When I try what you said (the command in Terminal) it brings up a blank document. Also, would I want to replace the whole line with root (hd0,4) or would I keep the uuid in?
Are you sure you typed the command right...? It shouldn't be opening up a blank document.
Yes, replace the whole line(s) I bolded with root (hd0,4).
 
It opens up a blank document and the Terminal displays this:
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

** (gedit:9621): WARNING **: Could not write gedit state file: Failed to create file '/root/.gnome2/gedit-2.70CQTU': No such file or directory

I/O error : No such file or directory
I/O error : No such file or directory


Addendum:

Remember, I am still in the live-CD right now
 
Last edited:
Ok, I was wondering if that actually worked or not from the LiveCD...
I have never tried it.
The method that I have always used (because it works the best) to open up the menu.lst to where I can edit it, is to run this command in the Terminal instead:

Code:
gksu nautilus
This will open up your file browser as root, and then you can then navigate via the GUI to the directory, open up the menu.lst, and then the changes you make can be saved.
 
Did it. Now it reads:
# 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=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b

## 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

## 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 Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 8.10, kernel 2.6.27-7-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic root=UUID=30c249b7-15bd-4add-8539-3c0efebb752b ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic

title Ubuntu 8.10, memtest86+
root (hd0,4)
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/Longhorn (loader)
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
chainloader +1


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,1)
savedefault
chainloader +1
What should I do now?
 
Good. :smile: Now, save the changes, exit the file, reboot with the CD still in, go into your BIOS, take the CD out of the tray, set the HDD to boot first again, instead of the CD drive, and attempt to boot normally. When you get to the menu, select Ubuntu, and see if it boots.
 
Last edited:
Hmm...I was hoping you would see different results if using the "root" method instead of UUID. :frowning: It seems this problem may be due to having Ubuntu installed on a logical partition, instead of primary.
 
I have installed Fedora on a IDE drive. My system drive is SATA. Inspite of checking "Grub isn't installed to the MBR/bootsector" the fedora goes to 'grub>' prompt
 
I have installed Fedora on a IDE drive. My system drive is SATA. Inspite of checking "Grub isn't installed to the MBR/bootsector" the fedora goes to 'grub>' prompt
Yes, the last time I checked, that option doesn't work with Fedora, since it uses a separate /boot partition for Grub. You will need to configure NeoGrub manually, and point it at the /boot partition.
 
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