[SOLVED] HDD not stabile partition name

[jurco]

Hi guys.

I have 2 HDD - Kubuntu 8.04 and WinXP

My fstab looks like this:
/dev/sda1 / ext3 defaults 0 0
/dev/sdb1 /media/c_drive ntfs-3g user,users,utf8 0 0
/dev/sdb5 /media/d_drive ntfs-3g user,users,utf8 0 0
/dev/sdb6 /media/e_drive ntfs-3g user,users,utf8 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0

But now when I turn on computer and boot to kubuntu, nothing is mounted correctly. When I run fdisk -l, my linux partition is sda and windows partition is sdb. Next day I turn on computer and linux poartition is sdb and windows partition is sda.
To fix this, I have to rewrite fstab and run mount -a

Why is it changing I cannot change fstab eachtime I start computer! (when I reboot, its OK)

[kevinc]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name

From what you have typed it looks as though you have two hard disks, the first one has one partition for Kubuntu and the second disk has at least three partitions for Windows.

First question, what did you do that changed the situation so that when you turn on the computer and boot to Kubuntu, nothing is mounted correctly? Did you re-install windows? Did you install another OS? Did you run grub-install? Did you change /etc/fstab?

Second question, do you really not hava a swap or /home partition on /dev/sda ?

If your /boot/grub/menu.lst is correct, and your /etc/fstab is correct then you should not have any problems.

[jurco]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name

You are right kevinc, 2HDD - one for kubuntu (whole) second for win with 3 partitions

I installed hardy on separate HDD but then I was not able to boot to Win from the other drive - so I did fixmbr with windows recovery console which solved my problem with windows boot.

I had to edit fstab because I need all partitions in computer loaded because I use files on both hdd.

When I fdisk -l I can see also the swap partition.


Is my fstab not correct?
I just need to mount ntfs partitions, so I can use them immediately. What is the best way?

I dont have menu.lst right here (different computer) but I can put the content here later if necessary.

[aged hippy]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name

Windows isn't happy unless it is booting from the first drive (C:, sda), it gets grumpy if it thinks that there is another OS in pole position, i would be inclined to swap the positions on the cable to make your present sdb into sda and sda into sdb -- making sure that the jumpers are set correctly -- and see if XP is any happier.

Better still... would a complete re-install be out of the question? putting XP on first, of course.

[kevinc]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name

I don't use windows, so in light of aged hippy's advice I would seriously consider the following.

1. Back up all of your windows and kubuntu data
2. Install windows on sda - let it have pole position
3. Install Kubuntu - which does recognize windows and allow you to dual boot

consider having a separate /home and a separate swap partition for Kubuntu - you can do that during install
here are some references

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_l...lled_first.htm dual boot
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3090704.0 partitioning for Kubuntu
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3099811.0 top 20 kubuntu questions

[Guest]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name

Use UUID in your fstab

1- Identify all partitions UUID:

sudo vol_id --uuid /dev/sda1
2a7915a7-d2c3-4462-b08b-8a1ba815ceac

2-Edit fstab

change this
/dev/sda1 / ext3 defaults 0 0
to this
UUID=2a7915a7-d2c3-4462-b08b-8a1ba815ceac / ext3 defaults 0 0

Do it with all partitions

[lmilano]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name

Use UUID in your fstab

Yes! Great advice, and great nick

[jurco]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name

Hi guys. Thanks for help! I use UUID now and problem seems to be fixed .

For the future. When I install hardy on new HDD (secondary), it will create grub on both HDDs. I would like to boot to win when booting from 1st HDD and to hardy when booting from 2nd HDD.

I thought I can run fixmbr from win recovery console. Is it possible to repair mbr of the 1st HDD from hardy? I googled and found ms-sys but this is not in repos.

Thanks

[aged hippy]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name


If you boot Windows and run fixboot and fixmbr you will lose access to your Hardy installation because XP doesn't admit that any other OS exists.

[jurco]

Re: HDD not stabile partition name

I did fixmbr and now I am boot win by default (rest of family using).
When I want to boot to kubuntu I just boot from different HDD.

thanks for help!