Getting GRUB error!

6tr6tr · December 14, 2011, 8:54pm

Ever since I installed openSUSE 12.1 (alongside 11.3) I’ve been getting a GRUB error the first time I boot the computer, whether or not I choose 12.1. If I immediately reboot the computer, the GRUB error doesn’t show up again unless I choose to boot into 12.1, it’ll give me a GRUB error. So…

First time booting computer for the day: GRUB ERROR (see below)
Immediately reboot, now I get the GRUB screen showing 12.1, 11.3, etc boot options

3a. If I choose 12.1, it’ll give GRUB error again

3b. If I choose 11.3, everything boots fine

So my question: how can I uninstall 12.1, not ruin 11.3 and return GRUB to the way it was before I installed 12.1?

The Error:

GRUB Loading Stage1.5.
GRUB Loading, please wait...
Error 21

caf4926 · December 14, 2011, 9:09pm

You have multiple HD’s?

Boot 11.3 and post your HD info

su -
fdisk -l

And the content of /boot/grub/menu.lst
for both the 11.3 and 12.1 systems

I’d have had similar problems but I saw the installer had made an error before I let it run, so I edited the Booting section

6tr6tr · December 15, 2011, 10:43pm

Thanks for helping.

Disk /dev/sda: 320.1 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00037060

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1               1         262     2103296   82  Linux swap / Solaris
Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda2   *         262        2873    20972544   83  Linux
/dev/sda3            2873       38914   289494016   83  Linux

Disk /dev/sdb: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x5c83a37f

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sdb1               1       12842   103152608+  83  Linux
/dev/sdb2           12842       15542    21687750   83  Linux
/dev/sdb3           15542       19458    31449088   83  Linux

**11.3 /boot/grub/menu.lst**

# Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Wed Nov  9 17:28:08 EST 2011
# THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader
# Configure custom boot parameters for updated kernels in /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

default 0
timeout 8
##YaST - generic_mbr
gfxmenu (hd0,1)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34.10-0.4
    root (hd0,1)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34.10-0.4-default root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-WDC_WD3200AAJB-00J3A0_WD-WCAB2N573365-part2 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-WDC_WD3200AAJB-00J3A0_WD-WCAB2N573365-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x317
    initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34.10-0.4-default

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe -- openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34.10-0.4
    root (hd0,1)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34.10-0.4-default root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-WDC_WD3200AAJB-00J3A0_WD-WCAB2N573365-part2 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x317
    initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.34.10-0.4-default

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: Linux other###
title Linux other
    rootnoverify (hd2,0)
    chainloader +1

**12.1 /boot/grub/menu.lst**

# Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Thu Dec  8 01:43:49 EST 2011
# THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader
# For the new kernel it try to figure out old parameters. In case we are not able to recognize it (e.g. change of flavor or strange install order ) it it use as fallback installation parameters from /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

default 0
timeout 8
gfxmenu (hd1,1)/boot/message

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title openSUSE 12.1
    root (hd1,1)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-3.1.0-1.2-default root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3170023A_4JS7TKMX-part2 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-WDC_WD3200AAJB-00J3A0_WD-WCAB2N573365-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x317
    initrd /boot/initrd-3.1.0-1.2-default

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name:  openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34.10-0.4 (/dev/sda2)###
title  openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34.10-0.4 (/dev/sda2)
    rootnoverify (hd0,1)
    chainloader +1

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe -- openSUSE 12.1
    root (hd1,1)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-3.1.0-1.2-default root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST3170023A_4JS7TKMX-part2 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x317
    initrd /boot/initrd-3.1.0-1.2-default

caf4926 · December 15, 2011, 11:00pm

Tell me which partitions you think are which
root for 11.3
root for 12.1

What is the HD boot order in BIOS

6tr6tr · December 15, 2011, 11:23pm

Hmmm, not entirely sure what you’re asking here but the “/” for 11.3 is /dev/sda2 and the place where I installed 12.1 used to be on a drive that maps to /dev/sdb1, but I used PartedMagic to separate it.

I assume the only way to check this is to restart the computer? If so, I have to wait till I finish my current project and get back to you then (sorry).

caf4926 · December 16, 2011, 6:30am

Going by what you said and the code you posted. I think you are wrong about / for 12.1
sdb1 is more like /home IMO and your code from 12.1 menu points to (hd1,1) which is sdb2
So now I’m wondering what sdb3 is

I’d try putting a boot flag on sdb2 (Use parted magic)
Then report back after you try it

6tr6tr · December 16, 2011, 6:41pm

OK, a few things:

I think you misread my post a bit. I was saying 12.1 was taken off of sdb1, but is not sdb1 now. I believe it is sdb3 (at least that’s how it looks from 11.3 when I run the “System Information” app that runs in konqueror (if I’m reading it correctly).

Also, I looked in the BIOS and the boot order has:

1st Master WDC_WD3200AAJB-00J3A0

The other HD is not mentioned.

caf4926 · December 16, 2011, 7:33pm

Now I’m totally confused.

In particular I’m wondering how you could have 2HD’s in fdisk
But can only find 1 in the BIOS

And I really don’t know what you have installed except I’m fairly sure 11.3 is on sda

Are these HD’s SATA?
If old PATA - are they sharing a ribbon?

6tr6tr · December 21, 2011, 10:37pm

Thank you so much for the help. So… I’ve decided to just get a new computer but I have a few req’s that probably make the search hard:

Needs to be under $400 (doesn’t need an OS, or keyboard or mouse or monitor)
Needs at least DVI-capable (preferably HDMI) video card that is fast, has good memory

Anything you’d recommend?

caf4926 · December 22, 2011, 5:05am

Build it yourself
Here in the UK, we have a selection of stores such as ‘ebuyer’ that enable that process.
You’ll need:
Case
Power Unit
Motherboard
RAM
CPU
HDD
DVD/RW
Graphics Card

Some things to consider:

Don’t look for the latest and greatest (But at $400 you ain’t going to be able to)
Make sure the Motherboard is a traditional BIOS based. With no graphics built in. With USB booting support.
Look for a Graphics card without a fan if you are concerned about noise levels
Consider Linux support. So you might check the HCL

If you get stuck. PM me with the store you might use. And I’ll take a look. But I’d rather not start listing a shopping list here.