Problems Linux 12 Booting

[crosenblum]

I don't think I can take a screenshot of the grub menu, but here is the output of the instructions you gave me.

mint@mint ~ $ sudo grub-install -v
grub-probe: error: cannot find a device for /boot (is /dev mounted?).
grub-install.real (GRUB) 1.99-12ubuntu5-1linuxmint1

mint@mint ~ $ sudo mount /dev/sdb3 /mnt
mint@mint ~ $ ls /mnt/boot
abi-3.0.0-17-generic memtest86+_multiboot.bin
config-3.0.0-17-generic System.map-3.0.0-17-generic
grub vmcoreinfo-3.0.0-17-generic
initrd.img-3.0.0-17-generic vmlinuz-3.0.0-17-generic
memtest86+.bin

mint@mint ~ $ cat /mnt/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,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
if background_color 0,0,0; then
clear
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=white/light-gray
### 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 12 32-bit, 3.0.0-17-generic (/dev/sda3)' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-17-generic root=UUID=fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28 ro vga=792 splash quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-17-generic
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 12 32-bit, 3.0.0-17-generic (/dev/sda3) -- recovery mode' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28
echo 'Loading Linux 3.0.0-17-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-17-generic root=UUID=fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28 ro recovery nomodeset vga=792 splash
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-17-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,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root A8E440BAE4408C8E
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### 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 ###

[wayne128]

ok, confirm your grub.cfg are all with /dev/sda3 and (hd0,msdos3)

what you need is to change it to /dev/sdb3 and (hd1,msdos3).

Here just a few things to do:
first is to test it manually.
boot directly from hard disk, not from usb stick,
you should get into grub menu
cursor should be default on first line
( Linux Mint 12 32-bit, 3.0.0-17-generic (/dev/sda3)'

Do not hit enter, instead, hit 'e' within your timer ( usually 10 seconds),
read the instruction below those lines, it is clear there.

Once you hit 'e', the pop up should have something that looks like

set root='(hd0,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-17-generic root=UUID=fe15c7e7-a40f-46de-a28b-7cdb67f69c28 ro vga=792 splash quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-17-generic

move cursor to (hd0,msdos3).... change 0 to 1, then hit 'b' ( per instruction) to boot

hopefully this works...

if it works, let Mint runs from hard disk installation, open a terminal, do this command

sudo grub-install -v
sudo update-grub
cat /boot/grub/grub.cfg
post its terminal output.

reboot to check
hope all is well

[crosenblum]

Well that apparently worked....Thank you so much.

Lol i am afraid to reboot in case this problem re-occurs.

So, what kind of precautions can i take to prevent problems or to make sure i have really good backups?

Thank you all!

[wayne128]

Well that apparently worked....Thank you so much.

Glad it works for you.

Lol i am afraid to reboot in case this problem re-occurs.

Leave it running forever if you do not mind the utility.
But for me I shutdown each time I do not use computer.

So, what kind of precautions can i take to prevent problems or to make sure i have really good backups?

Not sure also
Because over two years, three of my hard disks ( one in 6-yr old laptop, one in 5-yr old desktop, one oop!! 1 week old seagate usb drive) suddenly stop working..

So I followed aged-old method of always running OS as OS and keep data in data partition , back up data in external hard disk.
as far as boot loader, even thou I read many people back up in floppy disk and usb disk, seriously, for so many multiboot comps I have never backup any boot loader
that is because I spent some time learning how to repair MBR, repair boot loader so the tools I used are already covered in earlier posts
1. on WinXP/7 I have cd , those without CD must have recovery cd (to repair boot manager and MBR)
2. on linux, learn those command ( in earlier post) for grub2. and know where the grub2 documentation.
3. have some recovery disk handy : RIPLinux is what I used to boot (win,Linux os) in any partition, any drive, when os become unbootable.. however I used it in Live CD, not yet tried its usb stick.
in fact any Linux OS CD can be used to repair/reinstall grub, as long as you know which grub version was used in the unbootable OS partition, you need the same version to repair.

[crosenblum]

Very good points.

I have switched from using gnome 3.4 although I really liked it.

I think I am using standard gnome.

I just bought a 8gb usb flash drive, since i can not boot to cd.

What cd/dvd iso would be best as a recovery usb? That way in case anything happens, i can use an usb key to fix/repair problems.

I believe in being prepared, so the more I know, and am prepared for when the worst does happen, the more i will enjoy my experiences...

I apologize if it was hard to help me, i hate being new at something, even tho i've been into computer's since the 1980's.

Thanks again.

[wayne128]

You have only dual boot.
So there isn't much need to 'prepare' except grub2 documentation.

read the item12 in the doc,
Reinstalling GRUB2

Methods of Reinstalling
Use Boot-Repair Graphical Tool
Copy LiveCD Files
Copy Partition Files
ChRoot
Purge & Reinstall
Post-Restoration Commands
Changing or Moving GRUB 2


usually the simplest method, which you have gone thru, will work 90% of the time, that is
mount the os partition
reinstall grub to MBR

at time when some files got corrupted, the most complicated procedure is the chroot method.

I have not yet tried the last Purge and Reinstall method it seems 'new' to me, long time did not even look at this documentation..

As you have a USB stick, one thing you may consider, just install multiboot two simple Linux OS inside, then use it as your repair tool!! Once they work, do not update, just use it as insurance. every 6 month just read their website for any new version, and see if additional benefit is useful for newer hardware/newer goodie. Replace it if there are benefit.