I tried to start up my laptop this morning only to get an error that /grub2/i386-pc/normal.mod is missing.
Using the openSUSE 12.3 installation disk in Rescue mode, I mounted /dev/sda1 (my boot partition). I did ls on /grub2/i386-pc/ only to discover I am missing all the files from the letter j. Only got files starting with letter a to j. The rest of the boot partition seems to be fine, even have the boot configuration files.
How do I copy these missing files back?
I guessing that a HD sector has gone bad somewhere, to loose many files.
Use a Live USB stick to backup your data as long as it’s possible. Plus check /var/log/messages for “smart” messages. IMHO your guess is right, a damaged HDD. So, instead of trying to repair the bootloader, rather backup and replace the disk/have it replaced.
Next question. How do I mount the LVs of the LVM that exists on /dev/sda2? So that I can retrieve the data and guest VirtualBox and KVM VMs that live on the LVM of /dev/sda2. Only the /boot lives in it’s own standard HD partition, rest of / and swap is on the LVM.
The big joke of today is: I was actually powering up my laptop to make a backup to my external USB HD when I saw that nasty boot loader error of missing file.
On 2013-07-02 12:56, Knurpht wrote:
> Use a Live USB stick to backup your data as long as it’s possible. Plus
> check /var/log/messages for “smart” messages. IMHO your guess is right,
> a damaged HDD. So, instead of trying to repair the bootloader, rather
> backup and replace the disk/have it replaced.
Before buying a new disk, I think the current one should be verified.
For example, run
smartctl -a /dev/WHATEVER_DISK
Depending on the output, run:
smartctl --test=long /dev/WHATEVER_DISK
smartctl -a /dev/WHATEVER_DISK
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
I managed to retrieve the data from the laptop, so now can do an installation from scratch on the laptop.
This is what I did:
Booted with the openSUSE 12.3 installation DVD, and chose Rescue
Entered root at the login prompt
Used these commands to find and activate the LVM2 volumes:
lvm vgscan -v
lvm vgchange -a y
lvm lvs –a
With the displayed information I confirmed the logical volumes was correct.
I then made directories and mounted all the required logic volumes needed to backup the data:
mkdir /host/mountpoint
mount /dev/volumegroup/logicalvolume /host/mountpoint
Connected external HD, mounted it, and then copied all the data.
Though would be nice to be able to fix the /boot partition without the need for a reinstall.
On 2013-07-02 18:36, ajpeck wrote:
> Though would be nice to be able to fix the /boot partition without the
> need for a reinstall.
Boot the DVD, choose “upgrade”.
There is an alteration of that procedure that I read about that I can no
longer find, where upgrade of everything is deselected, then you add
only the section that is broken.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
On 2013-07-03 16:56, ajpeck wrote:
>
> robin_listas;2569005 Wrote:
>> Boot the DVD, choose “upgrade”.
>>
>> There is an alteration of that procedure that I read about that I can no
>> longer find, where upgrade of everything is deselected, then you add
>> only the section that is broken.
> Thanx, the Upgrade option did the trick in fixing the boot loader with
> original boot loader config and leaving all data unharmed.
Wonderful!
Now, you will have to run YOU (either YaST Online Update or zypper
patch) to redo all the updates, because the dvd upgrade procedure resets
all the packages to those at release time, ie, those in the DVD.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
/grub2/i386-pc/normal.mod isn’t part of any RPM package but is presented AFAIK in any 12.3 installation w/GRUB2.
So you may write it to USB flash drive, boot from rescue CD, mount root partition of installed SuSE 12.3 to some appropriate point and write the missing file from USB to the corresponding directory.
But I’m not sure that it’s the only your problem.
You may take this file from any person w/12.3-x86 or x86-64 installed, in particular from me