GRUB command to change kernel

[Tib-Tib]

Hi,
I just got a laptop (DELL PP06S) from a friend set up on kubuntu. He told me to download and run the updates packages if I had time. So so did I and now the computer stops on an error at boot and I can't log in at all to type any command.
The error message coming up is:

ata1.00: exeption Emask 0x0 SAct 0x0 action 0x6
ata1.00: BMDMA stat 0x24
ata1.00: failed command: WRITE DMA
ata1.00: cmd ca/00:38:e7:14c/00:00:00:00/e0 tag 0 dma 28672 out
ata1.00: res 51/84:00:1e:15:7c/00:00:00:00/e0 Emask 0x10 (ATA bus error)
ata1.00: status: { DRDY ERR }
ata1.00: error: { ICRC ABRT }

And it seems to try that action over and over but I never get to log in and type any command.
I got told to check the drive cables connections, which I did but it made no difference.
I also got told that I could try to start with an older kernel, I tried all the different kernels available in the GNU GRUB but no success.
The different options availables are:

Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-26-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-26-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-25-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-25-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-24-lowlatency
Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-26-lowlatency (recovery mode)
Memory test (memtest86+)
Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)

From my understanding these are the new and older kernels, is that right?
I had to do the updates in 3 times so I guess the kernel from before then isn't in the list anymore.

Every one of them shows the same error message and no way to get a console.
So I can't type any command.
Though, I found out that I can type commands in the GRUB, is there any way to change the kernel from the GRUB?
If so what would be the commands?

Thanks

TiBo

[verndog]

Re: GRUB command to change kernel

Have you tried booting fro a LiveCD and then fsck the partition in question?

Also try edit the grub , go to linux line and at the end type a space and "text" without quotes. See if you get to a "#' prompt or login prompt, and if those error messages come up.

[rfakhrai]

Re: GRUB command to change kernel

That error looks like you have a drive failure. It might not be GRUB's fault although it is suspicious that this happened after an update. Is there any possibility of drive failure considering your equipment?

verndog's suggestion about a livecd and fsck is a very good one. try that. also, do a memtest for the heck of it.

[Snowhog]

Re: GRUB command to change kernel

This Topic CLOSED. It's a duplicate of (see http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...5453#msg255453).