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    #1

    I like the OS but...... SOLVED

    I am lost . Please read this and help me.

    I used the LiveCd to install Kubuntu 8.04 on my external USB harddrive. My PC has two internal harddrives (the biggest is about 120 GB) and the aforementioned USB harddrive. XP is on my C drive. The installation went fine, made a new partition on the USB drive, but at the end when finally booting I got the famous GRUB 21 error. The problem is that I cannot reach or use my other OS (XP) anymore. I cannot reach my files and other stuff.
    So, my BIOS is set with the following booting sequence: CD-rom, then USB hard disk and last the internal 120 GB HDD.
    Here's a copy of my menu.lst file, which I found on my external USB drive, It is followed by the result of sudo fdisk -l.
    ================================================== ====
    # 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=ec9a9d23-c08e-4476-af77-9495bd582bb4 ro

    ## Setup crashdump menu entries
    ## e.g. crashdump=1
    # crashdump=0

    ## default grub root device
    ## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
    # groot=(hd2,4)

    ## 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 8.04.1, kernel 2.6.24-19-generic
    root (hd2,4)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-19-generic root=UUID=ec9a9d23-c08e-4476-af77-9495bd582bb4 ro quiet splash
    initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-19-generic
    quiet

    title Ubuntu 8.04.1, kernel 2.6.24-19-generic (recovery mode)
    root (hd2,4)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-19-generic root=UUID=ec9a9d23-c08e-4476-af77-9495bd582bb4 ro single
    initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-19-generic

    title Ubuntu 8.04.1, memtest86+
    root (hd2,4)
    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 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
    root (hd0,0)
    savedefault
    makeactive
    chainloader +1
    ================================================== ====

    And here's the result of sudo fdisk -l :

    ================================================== ====

    Disk /dev/sda: 122.9 GB, 122942324736 bytes
    255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14946 cylinders
    Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
    Disk identifier: 0x0e9c0e9b

    Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
    /dev/sda1 * 1 4863 39062016 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
    /dev/sda2 4864 14946 80991697+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
    /dev/sda5 4864 9726 39062016 7 HPFS/NTFS
    /dev/sda6 9727 14946 41929618+ b W95 FAT32

    Disk /dev/sdb: 6448 MB, 6448619520 bytes
    255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 784 cylinders
    Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
    Disk identifier: 0x0eaf0eae

    Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
    /dev/sdb1 * 1 784 6297448+ b W95 FAT32

    Disk /dev/sdg: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
    255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders
    Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
    Disk identifier: 0x83575884

    Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
    /dev/sdg1 1 56278 452053003+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
    /dev/sdg2 56279 60801 36330997+ 5 Extended
    /dev/sdg5 56279 60609 34788726 83 Linux
    /dev/sdg6 60610 60801 1542208+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
    ubuntu@ubuntu:~$

    ================================================== ====

    I would like to know what I have to do to make it work. This might mean an uninstallment of Kubuntu from mu USB drive (I hope not) and a new installment in which I make a partition on my internal hard drive containing XP. Please tell me what to do in order to enjoy Kubuntu. I want a dual boot machine !! I'd also appreciate your suggestions on how to get to my XP-folders (at this time I am booting from the Live CD, now I get the message that I do not have permission to look at them ) (at least I think I do).

    I am eagerly awaiting your responses.

    Remmelt
    Tags: None
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    #2
    Re: I like the OS but......

    So can you boot at all? Are you posting from that computer?

    In any case, try SGD - http://www.supergrubdisk.org/

    A really excellent tool for borked grub installs. That should get your XP back at the very least.
    Once your problem is solved please mark the topic of the first post as SOLVED so others know and can benefit from your experience! / FAQ
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      #3
      Re: I like the OS but......

      And see another users *solved* grub loading error 21 here.
      Windows no longer obstructs my view.
      Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
      "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock Holmes​
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        #4
        Re: I like the OS but......

        Hi Toad,

        I already downloaded that program ISO file but Kubuntu will not recognize my CD-DVC burner. Any tips ?

        Do you think that there's anything wrong with the drive numbers in my menu.lst file ? Personally I do not think so.

        Remmelt
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          #5
          Re: I like the OS but......

          From Reply #23 of Qqmike's HOW TO: GRUB Methods - Toolkit

          ----- 21: GRUB Error 21: Selected disk does not exist
          This error is returned if the device part of a device- or full file name refers to a disk or BIOS device that is not present or not recognized by the BIOS in the system.
          In your (hdx,y)'s, examine the hdx's to see if they are correct.
          Consider again the example:
          title Boot by kernel--Kubuntu 7.10 sdb5
          root (hd1,4)

          I changed this to root (hd3,4) and got error 21 (because drive hd3 does not exit on my system).

          Error 21 may also be caused by other things.
          > Check your typing—(manually) type the hard drive device reference hdx again.
          > Check to see if BIOS is correctly setup to detect your hard drives.
          > Hardware: Each hard drive is connected to the power supply by a power cable and to the motherboard by a data cable. Check that all cables are securely attached. SATA data cables, especially, are prone to coming loose.
          > You might try re-installing GRUB (using root & setup commands at a GRUB prompt).
          Windows no longer obstructs my view.
          Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
          "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock Holmes​
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            #6
            Re: I like the OS but......

            Wow, Snowhog, you are really on top of things today! Well spotted (and I noted that you caught a double post as well).

            @ Remmelt

            try the usb stick version
            Once your problem is solved please mark the topic of the first post as SOLVED so others know and can benefit from your experience! / FAQ
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              #7
              Re: I like the OS but......

              What else does Sherlock Tux have to do on a cold Saturday afternoon?
              Windows no longer obstructs my view.
              Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
              "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock Holmes​
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                #8
                Re: I like the OS but......

                Guys,

                Please read my posts. There's loads of info in there. You are supposed to be the experienced ones so you should be able to see if there is anything wrong.

                Remmelt
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                  #9
                  Re: I like the OS but......

                  It would appear that Grub and the Linux installer are in a state of disagreement regarding enumeration of your hard disk drives. When the installer wrote your menu.lst file, it put the bootable partition at hd(2,4) which translates to /dev/sdc5. But fdisk shows that drive to be /dev/sdg5, which would be hd(6,4).

                  So, as an experiment, open your menu.lst file with kate in Super User mode, by doing Alt-F2 "kdesu kate /boot/grub/menu.lst" with no quote marks, and change the hd numbers to hd(6,4), save it, and reboot.

                  BTW, I'm not an advocate of installing Linux on removable drives like this -- you are now learning why it won't boot on another PC that you may try it on, unless that PC happens to enumerate your USB drive as "hd(6,4)". For example, stick a memory stick into your USB bus before you boot, and I'll bet the USB drive ends up with a different device number (and won't boot again).
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                    #10
                    Re: I like the OS but......

                    @ Remmelt

                    dibl put it well. Your problem is not simply "do this" and everything will be hunky dory. To sort your problem you will have to reach a level of understanding of the bootstrap which takes some time - it cannot be explained in a quick post.

                    So the best thing is to get your computer up and going again with SGD (the usb stick version) and take it from there. BTW, there is a superb dual booting guide here: http://www.apcmag.com/dualboot
                    Once your problem is solved please mark the topic of the first post as SOLVED so others know and can benefit from your experience! / FAQ
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                      #11
                      Re: I like the OS but......

                      The challenge using USB devices to boot with is that, unlike hard drives which are set in BIOS, USB devices are enumerated at boot time, for whatever PC that they are plugged into. It's a nice way to plug in some storage media, webcam, mouse, whatever -- but it's not so good for booting an OS that needs to know where it is, before it will boot.
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                        #12
                        Re: I like the OS but......

                        And I just said it couldn't be done in a simple post...
                        Once your problem is solved please mark the topic of the first post as SOLVED so others know and can benefit from your experience! / FAQ
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                          #13
                          Re: I like the OS but......

                          Hi,

                          Okay. I used supergrub. Now I have XP back and I cannot find any traces of Kubuntu ? So I assume it's gone.
                          Probably the best thing to do is install it on an existing partition on my internal HDD. The trick however is to find out what sda-number it has.

                          Thanks for the last replies. I guess I though Kubuntu would be easier than XP.
                          Remmelt
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                            #14
                            Re: I like the OS but......

                            Originally posted by Remmelt
                            Okay. I used supergrub. Now I have XP back and I cannot find any traces of Kubuntu ? So I assume it's gone.
                            Nope. Kubuntu is still there. SuperGrub didn't remove it. The issue remains as to how your HDs are numbered, and so, how you need to identify them in the fstab file and in the /boot/grub/menu.lst file as well.
                            Windows no longer obstructs my view.
                            Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
                            "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock Holmes​
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                              #15
                              Re: I like the OS but......

                              Well, it is

                              Install XP on an external USB

                              Seriously, this is a bootstrapping issue, nothing to do with the OS itself.

                              To find your Kubuntu again you need to get into grub on the command line and issue the find command. Qqmike must have written a decent howto for that but I'm afraid I haven't got the link handy. Try and search the forum for grub howtos by Qqmike...
                              Once your problem is solved please mark the topic of the first post as SOLVED so others know and can benefit from your experience! / FAQ
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