Partition Strategy for External HDD for Linux/Windows?

[mtbvfr]

Hi Everyone,

I've recently bought a 500 GB Notebook Hard Drive and a USB 3/SATA III Enclosure for it.

I want to backup Windows System Images to an NTFS partition and I want to be able to have multiple EXT4 partitions and a SWAP partition for booting Linux Distros on a GPT/UEFI Laptop with Secure Boot disabled.

It looks like I should be able to do all this with GParted.

I just need logically ordered instructions to follow.

In which order should the partitions be made?

How do I make the Hard Drive bootable for the EXT4 partitions?

Does this require a /boot/efi partition as I see on the Internal Hard Drive?

What about partitions for testing the Live ISO of a distro before installing to another partition?

Thanks, Michael.

[Pierre]

My 250Gb sata hdd is in a ext Enclosure.

it's partitioned as ~160GB NTFS / ~80GB ext3.

- M$ will see only the NTFS partition, whereas Linux will see both partitions. ..

it was partitioned off with Gparted.
- the back end of the existing partition was shrunk back,
and the ext3 partition was then created in the vacant space.

- it shouldn't need a /boot/efi partition.

"What about partitions for testing the Live ISO of a distro before installing to another partition?"
- best testing any Live ISOs in a VB

[mtbvfr]

- it shouldn't need a /boot/efi partition.

Wouldn't a /boot/efi partition be needed for booting from multiple distros installed on the hard drive?

Wouldn't a bootloader be required to enable you to select which distro to boot?

Thanks, Michael.

[austin.texas]

Since you want to boot various versions of linux, you have to decide if you want the installations to be UEFI or non-UEFI.
If you are going with UEFI, use gparted to create a GPT partition table. The first partition you create will be the ESP (EFI System partition), 300MB to 500MB, FAT32, boot flag. Then create your 20GB partitions for installation of various flavors of linux. Then your NTFS partition you need, and a swap partition (you only need one).

Linux on UEFI: A Quick Installation Guide
http://www.rodsbooks.com/linux-uefi/

[austin.texas]

What about partitions for testing the Live ISO of a distro before installing to another partition?

Testing of live .isos is not done on a partition, usually. The normal way to test a distro is to burn a DVD or create a usb drive.

If you really want to use a partition to test .iso files without burning a DVD, here is how you do that.
Boot into Mint (installed on your drive) and install the grml-rescueboot program.
sudo apt-get install grml-rescueboot

Then make sure that the /boot/grml folder exists. If it does not exist, create it with the command.
sudo mkdir /boot/grml

Place your Mint ISO in the /boot/grml folder.
For example, if the ISO is located in the user's Downloads folder, the command would be:
sudo cp ~/Downloads/Mintfilename.iso /boot/grml/

Update GRUB
sudo update-grub

This automatically adds a menuentry to the GRUB menu for any ISO files located in the /boot/grml folder.
The created menuentry, when selected, provides submenu options on how to boot the ISO, including the "Try Mint" and "Install" options.

Now reboot, and choose the iso menuentry, and it will run just like booting the live DVD.
http://wiki.grml.org/doku.php?id=rescueboot

grml-rescueboot does not support lvm and md/raid devices

[mtbvfr]

Hi Folks,

Just getting back to this. Unfortunately, things haven't gone as smoothly as hoped for.

So, I created a GPT partition table and then I created the following partitions.

EFI System partition.

Code: Select all

Free space preceeding (MiB): 1
New size(MiB):               500
Free space following (MiB):  476439
Align to:                    MiB
Create as:                   Primary Partition
File system:                 fat32
Label:                       BootEfi

SWAP partition.

Code: Select all

Free space preceeding (MiB): 0
New size(MiB):               9536
Free space following (MiB):  466903
Align to:                    MiB
Create as:                   Primary Partition
File system:                 linux-swap
Label:                       SWAP

Linux OS partition No. 1.

Code: Select all

Free space preceeding (MiB): 0
New size(MiB):               19073
Free space following (MiB):  447830
Align to:                    MiB
Create as:                   Primary Partition
File system:                 ext4
Label:                       Linux1

Linux OS partition No. 2.

Code: Select all

Free space preceeding (MiB): 0
New size(MiB):               19073
Free space following (MiB):  428757
Align to:                    MiB
Create as:                   Primary Partition
File system:                 ext4
Label:                       Linux2

Linux OS partition No. 3.

Code: Select all

Free space preceeding (MiB): 0
New size(MiB):               19073
Free space following (MiB):  409684
Align to:                    MiB
Create as:                   Primary Partition
File system:                 ext4
Label:                       Linux3

Linux OS partition No. 4.

Code: Select all

Free space preceeding (MiB): 0
New size(MiB):               19073
Free space following (MiB):  390611
Align to:                    MiB
Create as:                   Primary Partition
File system:                 ext4
Label:                       Linux4

Linux Data partition.

Code: Select all

Free space preceeding (MiB): 0
New size(MiB):               294685
Free space following (MiB):  95926
Align to:                    MiB
Create as:                   Primary Partition
File system:                 ext4
Label:                       LinuxDataExt

Windows Data partition.

Code: Select all

Free space preceeding (MiB): 0
New size(MiB):               95926
Free space following (MiB):  0
Align to:                    MiB
Create as:                   Primary Partition
File system:                 ntfs
Label:                       WinDataExt

I installed Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon on the Linux1 partition and chose the External Hard Drive as the Device for the Bootloader Installation.

I shutdown the Laptop.

Next, I started the Laptop. I did not do a Restart after the installation finished because I needed to remove the Live USB Flash Drive that I used for the installation.

When GRUB was started I was given the following options:

Linux Mint 17
Linux Mint 17 (Recovery Mode)
Windows Bootloader
Linux Mint 16
Linux Mint 16 (Advanced options)
System Setup

I chose the First option. However, at that point, I didn't know if the GRUB Menu had been activated from the External Drive or the Internal Drive.

I now have an "ubuntu" Boot item, in the Startup options of my UEFI BIOS, which I don't recall seeing before but it must have been there because there is an /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder on the Internal Hard Drive on the partition where Linux Mint 16 was installed. This folder has a date of 19/5/2014 which is around when I installed Mint 16. However, the files it contains are all dated with today's date (5/9/2014). These files are the following.

grub.cfg
grubx64.efi
MokManager.efi
shimx64.efi

The above grub.cfg file contains the following:

Code: Select all

search.fs_uuid c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0 root hd1,gpt3 
set prefix=($root)'/boot/grub'
configfile $prefix/grub.cfg

The above indicates that it is referencing the new grub.cfg file located in the /boot/grub folder on the Linux1 parition for the Mint 17 installation.

The new grub.cfg file contains the following which correlates with the options I detailed above:

Code: Select all

#
# 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 $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="0"
fi

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

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 {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd1,gpt3'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,gpt3 --hint-efi=hd1,gpt3 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,gpt3  c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_US
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
    set timeout_style=menu
    set timeout=10
  # Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
  # unavailable.
  else
    set timeout=10
  fi
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
### 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 ###
function gfxmode {
        set gfxpayload="$1"
        if [ "$1" = "keep" ]; then
                set vt_handoff=vt.handoff=7
        else
                set vt_handoff=
        fi
}
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 17 Cinnamon 64-bit, 3.13.0-24-generic (/dev/sdb3)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
        recordfail
        gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
        insmod gzio
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd1,gpt3'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,gpt3 --hint-efi=hd1,gpt3 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,gpt3  c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0
        fi
        linux   /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic root=UUID=c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
        initrd  /boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon 64-bit, 3.13.0-24-generic (/dev/sdb3) -- recovery mode' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
        recordfail
        insmod gzio
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd1,gpt3'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,gpt3 --hint-efi=hd1,gpt3 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,gpt3  c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 3.13.0-24-generic ...'
        linux   /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic root=UUID=c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0 ro recovery nomodeset 
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrd  /boot/initrd.img-3.13.0-24-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+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry 'Windows Boot Manager (on /dev/sda2)' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-efi-C8D6-383E' {
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod fat
        set root='hd0,gpt2'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  C8D6-383E
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root C8D6-383E
        fi
        chainloader /EFI/Microsoft/Boot/bootmgfw.efi
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 16 Petra (16) (on /dev/sda5)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-simple-75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01' {
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,gpt5'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt5 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt5 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt5  75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
        fi
        linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
        initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Linux Mint 16 Petra (16) (on /dev/sda5)' $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-advanced-75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01' {
        menuentry 'Linux Mint 16 KDE 64-bit, 3.11.0-12-generic (/dev/sda5) (on /dev/sda5)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic--75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01' {
                insmod part_gpt
                insmod ext2
                set root='hd0,gpt5'
                if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt5 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt5 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt5  75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
                else
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
                fi
                linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
                initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic
        }
        menuentry 'Linux Mint 16 KDE 64-bit, 3.11.0-12-generic (/dev/sda5) -- recovery mode (on /dev/sda5)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic-root=UUID=75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01 ro recovery nomodeset-75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01' {
                insmod part_gpt
                insmod ext2
                set root='hd0,gpt5'
                if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt5 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt5 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt5  75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
                else
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
                fi
                linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01 ro recovery nomodeset
                initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic
        }
}

set timeout_style=menu
if [ "${timeout}" = 0 ]; then
  set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
menuentry 'System setup' $menuentry_id_option 'uefi-firmware' {
        fwsetup
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###

### 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  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

Prior to this installation, when the Laptop was started, Grub would give me the the following options.

Linux Mint 16
Linux Mint 16 (Recovery Mode)
Windows Bootloader
System Setup

If the External Drive is not connected when the Laptop is started the following is displayed on the screen.

Code: Select all

GNU GRUB  version 2.02~beta2-9ubuntu1

Minimal BASH-like line editing is supported. for the first word, TAB lists possible command completions. Anywhere else TAB lists possible device or file completions.

grub>

From this I conclude that the "ubuntu" item, in the UEFI BIOS Startup Boot options, is looking for the grub.cfg file, that I found residing in the /boot/grub folder of the Linux1 partition, which is pointed to by the grub.cfg file in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder of the partition that Mint 16 was installed on.

I want the Hard Drives to each use their own GRUB configuration so that installations on either drive do not affect installations on the other.

And OOPS, I just realised I forgot to set the Boot Flag on the EFI System partition on the External Hard Drive. Would this have caused the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder, to be modified to point to the grub.cfg file in the /boot/grub folder of the Linux1 partition?

The EFI System Partition, on the External hard drive appears to have not been used at all during this saga.

I can easily wipe the Linux1 partition to prepare that for another installation attempt.

I have found another grub.cfg file in the /boot/grub folder on the Mint 16 partition on the Internal hard drive. This contains the options that I was previously seeing when the Laptop was started.

Code: Select all

#
# 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 [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

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 {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt5'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt5 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt5 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt5  75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/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 ###
function gfxmode {
        set gfxpayload="$1"
        if [ "$1" = "keep" ]; then
                set vt_handoff=vt.handoff=7
        else
                set vt_handoff=
        fi
}
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 16 KDE 64-bit, 3.11.0-12-generic (/dev/sda5)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
        recordfail
        gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
        insmod gzio
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,gpt5'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt5 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt5 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt5  75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
        fi
        linux   /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01 ro   quiet splash $vt_handoff
        initrd  /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 16 KDE 64-bit, 3.11.0-12-generic (/dev/sda5) -- recovery mode' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
        recordfail
        insmod gzio
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd0,gpt5'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt5 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt5 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt5  75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 3.11.0-12-generic ...'
        linux   /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01 ro recovery nomodeset 
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrd  /boot/initrd.img-3.11.0-12-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

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

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows Boot Manager (UEFI on /dev/sda2)" --class windows --class os {
        insmod part_gpt
        insmod fat
        set root='hd0,gpt2'
        if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  C8D6-383E
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root C8D6-383E
        fi
        chainloader /EFI/Microsoft/Boot/bootmgfw.efi
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
menuentry 'System setup' $menuentry_id_option 'uefi-firmware' {
        fwsetup
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###

### 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  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

So, how do I "reset" the grub.cfg files? What is the correct way?

Do I edit the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder on the Mint 16 partition on the Internal hard drive, to point to the grub.cfg file in the /boot/grub folder on the same partition?.

The Mint 16 partition has a uuid of "75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01". Do I simply use that to replace the uuid (c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0), of the Linux1 partition, in the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder?

Do I also need to change "hd1,gpt3" to "hd0,gpt5"?

Thanks, Michael.

[mtbvfr]

If you really want to use a partition to test .iso files without burning a DVD, here is how you do that.
Boot into Mint (installed on your drive) and install the grml-rescueboot program.
sudo apt-get install grml-rescueboot

Then make sure that the /boot/grml folder exists. If it does not exist, create it with the command.
sudo mkdir /boot/grml

Place your Mint ISO in the /boot/grml folder.
For example, if the ISO is located in the user's Downloads folder, the command would be:
sudo cp ~/Downloads/Mintfilename.iso /boot/grml/

Update GRUB
sudo update-grub

This automatically adds a menuentry to the GRUB menu for any ISO files located in the /boot/grml folder.
The created menuentry, when selected, provides submenu options on how to boot the ISO, including the "Try Mint" and "Install" options.

Now reboot, and choose the iso menuentry, and it will run just like booting the live DVD.
http://wiki.grml.org/doku.php?id=rescueboot

grml-rescueboot does not support lvm and md/raid devices

Thanks for this tip! Still very much a Linux noobie here.

I will give it a go sometime after I've got the latest drama (see above) solved.

Hasta pronto, Michael.

[austin.texas]

I just realised I forgot to set the Boot Flag on the EFI System partition on the External Hard Drive. Would this have caused the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder, to be modified to point to the grub.cfg file in the /boot/grub folder of the Linux1 partition?
The EFI System Partition, on the External hard drive appears to have not been used at all during this saga.
I can easily wipe the Linux1 partition to prepare that for another installation attempt.

I believe you have diagnosed the problem correctly.
Is it possible to disable the internal drive, and then reinstall Mint 17 to the external drive? (After you set the boot flag, of course.)
Then when you have that successfully booting, re-connect the internal drive, boot into Mint 17 and run sudo update-grub which should put both Windows and Mint 16 on the GRUB menu.
If you can then boot into Mint 16, run the sudo update-grub from there to put Mint 17 on that GRUB menu (the internal drive).

[mtbvfr]

I believe you have diagnosed the problem correctly.
Is it possible to disable the internal drive, and then reinstall Mint 17 to the external drive? (After you set the boot flag, of course.)
Then when you have that successfully booting, re-connect the internal drive, boot into Mint 17 and run sudo update-grub which should put both Windows and Mint 16 on the GRUB menu.
If you can then boot into Mint 16, run the sudo update-grub from there to put Mint 17 on that GRUB menu (the internal drive).

I don't have the inclination, nor the time at present, to mess about with the removal of the internal drive.

Both Windows and Mint 16 are already on the GRUB menu as they were before I "installed" Mint 17. You can see this in the 2 listings in my previous post above. The second of these listings represents what I was seeing when the Laptop was booting before the installation of Mint 17 to the External Hard Drive.

I want the Hard Drives to each use their own GRUB configuration so that installations on either drive do not affect installations on the other.

Can I edit the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder on the Mint 16 partition on the Internal hard drive, to point to the grub.cfg file in the /boot/grub folder on the same partition?

The Mint 16 partition has a uuid of "75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01". Do I simply use that to replace the uuid (c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0), of the Linux1 partition, in the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder?

Do I also need to change "hd1,gpt3" to "hd0,gpt5"?

If I can simply edit /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu/grub.cfg, then, I hope to be able to do the following.

Erase the contents of the Linux1 partition, set the Boot Flag on the on the EFI System partition and then reinstall Mint 17 to the Linux1 partition.

Thanks, Michael.

[austin.texas]

Can I edit the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder on the Mint 16 partition on the Internal hard drive, to point to the grub.cfg file in the /boot/grub folder on the same partition?
The Mint 16 partition has a uuid of "75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01". Do I simply use that to replace the uuid (c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0), of the Linux1 partition, in the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder?
Do I also need to change "hd1,gpt3" to "hd0,gpt5"?

The command sudo update-grub does all that for you.

[mtbvfr]

Can I edit the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder on the Mint 16 partition on the Internal hard drive, to point to the grub.cfg file in the /boot/grub folder on the same partition?
The Mint 16 partition has a uuid of "75ff7f3e-b55a-cf01-60ed-3d3eb55acf01". Do I simply use that to replace the uuid (c196a72e-4ff3-406c-a236-0ddc774a5ec0), of the Linux1 partition, in the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder?
Do I also need to change "hd1,gpt3" to "hd0,gpt5"?

The command sudo update-grub does all that for you.

I dismounted the External Hard Drive and entered "sudo update-grub" in the Terminal but nothing changed in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu/grub.cfg file.

[austin.texas]

[I dismounted the External Hard Drive and entered "sudo update-grub" in the Terminal but nothing changed in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu/grub.cfg file.

What ???
If you want Mint 17 on the external drive to appear on the internal drive's GRUB menu, how is that going to happen if the external drive is dismounted?
Connect both drives, boot into Mint 17 and run sudo update-grub which should put both Windows and Mint 16 on the GRUB menu.
That should fix the external drive's GRUB menu.
Then boot into Mint 16, run the sudo update-grub from there to put Mint 17 on that GRUB menu (the internal drive).
That will fix up the internal drive's GRUB menu.
If there is a problem with the external drive's GRUB then, it will be because the initial install was faulty, and still needs some tweaking. Try this first, and see.

[mtbvfr]

What ???
If you want Mint 17 on the external drive to appear on the internal drive's GRUB menu, how is that going to happen if the external drive is dismounted?
Connect both drives, boot into Mint 17 and run sudo update-grub which should put both Windows and Mint 16 on the GRUB menu.
That should fix the external drive's GRUB menu.
Then boot into Mint 16, run the sudo update-grub from there to put Mint 17 on that GRUB menu (the internal drive).
That will fix up the internal drive's GRUB menu.
If there is a problem with the external drive's GRUB then, it will be because the initial install was faulty, and still needs some tweaking. Try this first, and see.

Both Windows and Mint 16 are already on the GRUB menu.

The problem is as follows.

If the External Hard Drive is not connected when the Laptop is booted then the following is shown on the screen (there are no Boot options to choose from).

Code: Select all

GNU GRUB  version 2.02~beta2-9ubuntu1

Minimal BASH-like line editing is supported. for the first word, TAB lists possible command completions. Anywhere else TAB lists possible device or file completions.

grub>

Prior to installing Mint 17, the GRUB menu appeared with the following options which are in the grub.cfg file residing in the /boot/grub folder on the Mint 16 partition which is mounted as Root. The Mint 16 partition also contains the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder which also contains a grub.cfg file which at present points to the grub.cfg file residing in the /boot/grub folder on the Linux1 (external hard drive) partition.

Code: Select all

Linux Mint 16
Linux Mint 16 (Recovery Mode)
Windows Bootloader
System Setup

After installing Mint 17 the GRUB menu appears with the following options which are in the grub.cfg file residing in the /boot/grub folder on the Linux1 partition. The Linux1 partition does not contain a /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder.

Code: Select all

Linux Mint 17
Linux Mint 17 (Recovery Mode)
Windows Bootloader
Linux Mint 16
Linux Mint 16 (Advanced options)
System Setup

What I was expecting to happen when I started this was that when the External Hard Drive is not connected the GRUB menu should display the following options.

Code: Select all

Linux Mint 16
Linux Mint 16 (Recovery Mode)
Windows Bootloader
System Setup

So, what is the best way to revert back to the original GRUB menu that was being used before Mint 17 was installed on the External Hard Drive?

Should the grub.cfg file, in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder, be edited as I suggested or should this file be replaced with the grub.cfg file in the /boot/grub folder on the Mint 16 partition?

What would have been the original configuration for Mint 16 regarding the grub.cfg file? Would there have only been one grub.cfg file? If so, would it have been residing in the /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu folder?

Thanks, Michael.

[austin.texas]

Sorry sudo update-grub did not work for you.
You can try manually editing, or try the rEFInd boot manager - http://www.rodsbooks.com/efi-bootloaders/refind.html