[RESOLVED] Boot Issue Mint 19.3 on External USB HDD

[TEXM]

I have a Home Built PC and Currently have BOTH Windows 7 and LinuxMint 19.3 Installed on Separate HDD's. I am able to Boot Either OS by Choosing F12 on Bootup and then Choosing the Drive I want to Start- either Windows 7 or LinuxMint 19.3 . Works Perfectly! I recently purchased a Western Digital 8TB External USB Hard Disk Drive. It is called a My Book, an External Storage Drive designed to backup Windows Files, etc. I want to use it as an External High Capacity LinuxMint HDD that could be Booted with the F12 Key at Bootup. I Succesfully (Per LinuxMint Installer) Installed LinuxMint 19.3 on this WD External USB HDD from a USB Memory Stick. Everything looked Great until Boot Time. From the LinuxMint Installation on my INTERNAL HDD I can See the External Drive and ALL of the Linux Folders and FIles. When I Attempt to Boot The External Drive via F12 at BOOTUP I get an Error Message:

error: attempt to read or write outside of Disk 'hd0'
entering rescue mode...
grub rescue>

This External Drive was Configured exactly like the Internal HD with LinuxMint 19.3 on it. The Internal Drive Works and the External Drive has a Boot Error. Any Ideas? Thanks in Advance.

[senjoz]

Please provide more details about your system. Connect external HDD to the USB port and boot in Mint from internal HDD.

Run Menu - Administration - System Reports. Click on the System information and then Copy. Paste that output in your replay.

Helpful will be also output of terminal command sudo parted -l. This will list all partitions on your system. Copy output of that command and paste it in your replay. Please paste output between code tags!

Also helpful will be output of terminal command sudo os-prober. This command will list installed operating systems on your machine. Please post also that output and please use code tags!

Information, if all your OS installations are in bios or uefi mode will be also welcome.

Regards, Jože

[TEXM]

Hope This Helps......Thanks for Your Assistance.

Administration- system reports

Code: Select all

System:    Host: sandyb-GA-78LMT-S2P Kernel: 5.4.0-72-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc 
           v: 7.5.0 Desktop: Cinnamon 4.4.8 wm: muffin dm: LightDM Distro: Linux Mint 19.3 Tricia 
           base: Ubuntu 18.04 bionic 
Machine:   Type: Desktop System: Gigabyte product: GA-78LMT-S2P v: N/A serial: <filter> Chassis: 
           type: 3 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: Gigabyte model: GA-78LMT-S2P v: x.x serial: <filter> BIOS: Award v: F3 
           date: 10/18/2012 
Battery:   Device-1: hidpp_battery_0 model: Logitech Wireless Illuminated Keyboard K800 
           serial: <filter> charge: 55% status: Discharging 
           Device-2: hidpp_battery_1 model: Logitech Wireless Mouse M510 serial: <filter> 
           charge: 55% status: Discharging 
CPU:       Topology: 6-Core model: AMD FX-6300 bits: 64 type: MCP arch: Bulldozer 
           L2 cache: 2048 KiB 
           flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 sse4a ssse3 svm bogomips: 42186 
           Speed: 1406 MHz min/max: 1400/3500 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1406 2: 1406 3: 3516 
           4: 1406 5: 1406 6: 3515 
Graphics:  Device-1: AMD Ellesmere [Radeon RX 470/480/570/570X/580/580X] vendor: Tul 
           driver: amdgpu v: kernel bus ID: 01:00.0 chip ID: 1002:67df 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.8 driver: amdgpu,ati 
           unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,radeon,vesa resolution: 1920x1200~30Hz 
           OpenGL: 
           renderer: Radeon RX 570 Series (POLARIS10 DRM 3.35.0 5.4.0-72-generic LLVM 10.0.0) 
           v: 4.6 Mesa 20.0.8 direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: AMD SBx00 Azalia vendor: Gigabyte driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel 
           bus ID: 00:14.2 chip ID: 1002:4383 
           Device-2: AMD Ellesmere [Radeon RX 580] vendor: Tul driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel 
           bus ID: 01:00.1 chip ID: 1002:aaf0 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-72-generic 
Network:   Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR8161 Gigabit Ethernet vendor: Gigabyte driver: alx 
           v: kernel port: df00 bus ID: 02:00.0 chip ID: 1969:1091 
           IF: enp2s0 state: down mac: <filter> 
           Device-2: D-Link System DGE-528T Gigabit Ethernet Adapter driver: r8169 v: kernel 
           port: ce00 bus ID: 03:06.0 chip ID: 1186:4300 
           IF: enp3s6 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter> 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 8.64 TiB used: 20.04 GiB (0.2%) 
           ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Western Digital model: WD10EZEX-08WN4A0 size: 931.51 GiB 
           speed: 3.0 Gb/s serial: <filter> 
           ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: Western Digital model: WD5000AAKX-00ERMA0 size: 465.76 GiB 
           speed: <unknown> serial: <filter> 
           ID-3: /dev/sdc type: USB vendor: Western Digital model: WD My Book 25ED size: 7.28 TiB 
           serial: <filter> 
Partition: ID-1: / size: 875.93 GiB used: 14.36 GiB (1.6%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 8.00 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5 
USB:       Hub: 1-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Hub: 2-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Device-1: 2-6:4 info: Western Digital type: Mass Storage driver: usb-storage rev: 2.1 
              chip ID: 1058:25ed 
           Hub: 3-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 3 rev: 1.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0001 
           Hub: 4-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 3 rev: 1.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0001 
           Hub: 5-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 3 rev: 1.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0001 
           Device-2: 5-3:2 info: Logitech Unifying Receiver type: Keyboard,Mouse,HID 
           driver: logitech-djreceiver,usbhid rev: 2.0 chip ID: 046d:c52b 
           Hub: 6-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 3 rev: 1.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0001 
           Device-3: 6-1:2 info: Logitech Unifying Receiver type: Keyboard,Mouse,HID 
           driver: logitech-djreceiver,usbhid rev: 2.0 chip ID: 046d:c52b 
           Hub: 7-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 2 rev: 1.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0001 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 27.4 C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: fan: 312 
Repos:     No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
           1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com tricia main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
           2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic main restricted universe multiverse
           3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-updates main restricted universe multiverse
           4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-backports main restricted universe multiverse
           5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic-security main restricted universe multiverse
           6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ bionic partner
Info:      Processes: 242 Uptime: 3h 52m Memory: 7.77 GiB used: 1.83 GiB (23.6%) Init: systemd 
           v: 237 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 7.5.0 alt: 7 Client: Unknown python3.6 client 
           inxi: 3.0.32 

sudo parted -l

Model: ATA WDC WD5000AAKX-0 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 500GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos
Disk Flags:

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 1049kB 106MB 105MB primary ntfs boot
2 106MB 500GB 500GB primary ntfs


Model: WD My Book 25ED (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdc: 8002GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags:

Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
1 1049kB 1000GB 1000GB ext4

sudo os -prober

sandyb@sandyb-GA-78LMT-S2P:~$ sudo os-prober
/dev/sda6:Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster):Debian:linux
/dev/sdb1:Windows 7:Windows:chain
/dev/sdc1:Linux Mint 19.3 Tricia (19.3):LinuxMint:linux
sandyb@sandyb-GA-78LMT-S2P:~$

***Note*** I installed LinuxMint OVER a previous Copy of Debian 10 and Kept the SWAP Partition. Could that be My Mistake?

[AndyMH]

Your problem is that you have tried to install linux to a gpt format drive (which you need for any drive > 2tB) in legacy mode. There is nowhere for grub (the bootloader to live), and probably if you accepted the defaults it will have installed grub to your first drive, probably sda (which you haven't provided the parted output for!). If this happened, then mint on the 8TB drive is in charge of the boot process.

If you boot mint as normal on sda and in a terminal sudo update-grub, next time you boot grub should give you the choice of the two mints you have and win (os-prober found all your OS). This avoids having to hit F12 every time you boot to get anything other than the default OS.

However, this may not be what you want, you won't be able to independently boot the 8TB drive. The easiest fix is to re-install mint to the 8TB drive, but before that you need to create a partition where the installer can put grub. On sdc create a 1MB partition (very small) and set the flag bios_grub on it, don't do anything else - leave it unformatted. Install mint using 'something else' and point the installer at your ext4 partition on sdc for use as / and at the bottom of the screen make sure mint is going to install the bootloader to sdc (you specify the device not the partition).

[senjoz]

@TEXM
Andy nicely explained possible solutions for your problem. As he mentioned, the output of sudo parted -l you provided is not complete. Also /dev/sda6:Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster):Debian:linux in output of sudo os-prober is unexpected considering your previous explanations.

When posting outputs of terminal commands with more lines, please use code tags! You can do this as follows.

In the replying window click on the code display button (button marked with mouse pointer in next screenshot, click on the picture to enlarge it)

In edit box you will get next code tags

Then paste terminal output between code tags

Some forum members may not read your post if that is omitted.

Regards, Jože

[TEXM]

Joze,
I Appreciate your Input. I can See what you Posted but have No Idea How to Do That.
As a Novice Linux User I have ALOT to Learn. Sorry I was unable to Post as you mentioned.

[TEXM]

to AndyMH,
Thank You for your Very Useful Information. I did the GRUB Update as you mentioned and it Worked. Now my PC BOOTS to a Screen Allowing me to Choose the OS I want to use Without needing to Poke F12 on the Bootup Process. Thank You So Much for that.

As for getting my External USB HDD to Boot, still not able to do so but I will keep reinstalling and also searching for More Information, I am Not going to Give Up on making my External USB HDD Bootable. I know in Time I will get it Resolved.

Thanks to ALL Forum Members here who do their Best to Assist Those of Us who are Novice Linux USers. It is YOU Who will Drive Linux to The Masses Over Time. I realize it takes alot of Patience to Assist with Novice Users. You Are Very Special People. Thank You Again.

[TEXM]

Great News and a Resolution that will hopefully Help Others. Resolution THANKS to #LinuxMint-Help Admin djph. The Issue Preventing me from Booting from the External USB HDD was a BIOS Issue on my PC. My PC was Built in 2013 and utilized the MBR Partition while GPARTED will only Create GPT Partitions. Obviously these 2 Technologies are Not Compatible. As djph said: You Will Never Boot that External HDD while it is Partitioned in GPT. I Tested this with my HP Laptop that Utilizes UEFI Bios. I Partitioned my External USB HDD as Directed and Installed LinuxMint 20.1 Successfully. The Only thing I must do is to Press F9 on Bootup as NOT to Choose to BOOT from the Windows UEFI but rather the LINUX Drive UEFI Drive. Works Perfectly. I hope this little bit of Information is Helpful to Everyone who tries to Help Others Resolve their Issues. Booting to External HDD's seems to be Popular but a Very Difficult Task for Most. Thanks Again to Everyone for Assistance.

[AndyMH]

My PC was Built in 2013 and utilized the MBR Partition while GPARTED will only Create GPT Partitions.

That is not correct, in gparted: device > create partition table, can you see where it says msdos?

[TEXM]

To AndyMH-

I am running LinuxMint 20.1 and I just Downloaded GPARTED to See if I had Missed Something based on the Photo you posted. MY Version of GPARTED I Just Installed and The Version that comes with the LinuxMint 20.1 ISO DOES NOT HAVE the MSDOS Option. However it does Offer NTFS Formatting but Again, No MSDOS Formatting Option. Download The Current Version of GPARTED that I am using and See for Yourself. While I am New to Linux, I have No Reason to Misguide Anyone and would never do such. Your VERSION of GPARTED may very well have the MSDOS Option, if so it would Appear to Me logically that maybe the MSDOS Formatting Option has been Removed from Current Versions of GPARTED that Ships with Current Versions of the LinuxMint ISO's and for Download also. I Apologize if I am Missing Something here. Also, I wasn't trying to be a HERO, I was Simply Sharing what was Successful for me.

[AndyMH]

The screenshot was from gparted installed in LM20.1. I think you are confusing formatting/creating a partition with creating a partition table. Two quite different things. As I said in my post, you get to the 'create partition table' from the devices menu in gparted.

Before you can create a new partition table you have to unmount any mounted partitions.

If you want to know a bit more about about partitions and linux partitioning tools, download the user guide for foxclone, http://foxclone.com/download.php - the 'read the file' button, page 41 onwards. Any questions, just ask.

[TEXM]

AndyMH,
If my statement was Incorrect, Please Accept My Apology. I am a Novice Linux User so there are Many things I do not understand. I will Read your Recommended Information for sure. I have Ordered some Linux Books to help me grow my knowledge of LINUX as I am very Committed to learning LINUX thoroughly, hoping someday to be able to Assist Others in their Journey Learning LINUX. Again, I am Grateful for the Information provided by Seasoned LINUX Users, it makes My Journey a little bit easier. Please understand I bring no disrespect to this Forum, yet when I read things I don't understand, I Always Question it. It is How I Learn for I understand if my Post is Incorrect, Somebody will Certainly Correct Me......and That is Good, otherwise I would continue believing information Incorrectly. So Thank You All for ANY Corrections.

[deepakdeshp]

Please see
viewtopic.php?f=90&t=245700

[TEXM]

I Figured out HOW to Mark my Post RESOLVED.

[TEXM]

depakdeshp,
Thanks for that LINK.

[deepakdeshp]

You are welcome.