Quadruple Boot (W7, Ubuntu, Mint, OpenSuse)

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 11:16am

I have been evaluating different distros this past few weeks to determine which I will be moving my desktops to. I started with Ubuntu (Wubi) install , which was on the same partition of my laptop’s 750GB drive that also ran Windows 7 Ultimate 64. I was urged this weekend to try other distros and see how I would like it. The third OS I installed was OpenSuSe 11.4 on a separate newly created partition. This went smoothly as it installed Grub 1.5 loader that gave me the choice to go to my Windows bootloader with the option to boot to Windows 7 or Ubuntu 11.04:

http://cybernerdz.biz/images/OpenSuSe_grub15.jpg

Pushing my luck even further, I wanted to install Mint on a new partition. After shrinking my Windows partition I was able to gain another 20GB partition for my Linux Mint 10 install.

Now the problem. I’m suspecting while installing Mint that I should have not have chosen the Windows loader as one of the options during install. What is happening now when I chose Windows 7 or Ubuntu 11.04 from OpenSuSe Grub 1.5, it takes me to GNU Grub 1.98+20100804. This menu gives me options to boot to Mint, OpenSuse or Windows. When I choose Windows it just loops back to the same screen after a few seconds.

http://cybernerdz.biz/images/Mint_grub198.jpg

I went to press “e” for edit on the Windows to see the settings:

instmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0.msdos1)'
search - - nofloppy - - fs-uuid - - set 880cfd860cfd6f94
chainloader +1

Choosing Linux Mint is now giving me an error and wont let me boot to Mint anymore. I get this:

Gave up waiting for root device
- Boot args (cat /proc/cmdline)
   - check rootdelay
   - Check root= 
- Missing modules ( cat /proc/modules;ls/dev)
Alert! /dev/disk/by-uuid/alff754d-a4343-8b7b-c0c87e755558 does not exist
Dropping Shell!

(init tramfs)

From OpenSuse:

df -h
Filesystem            Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
rootfs                 15G  4.0G   11G  29% /
devtmpfs              1.8G  196K  1.8G   1% /dev
tmpfs                 1.9G  2.7M  1.9G   1% /dev/shm
/dev/sda6              15G  4.0G   11G  29% /
/dev/sda7             8.1G  1.3G  6.5G  16% /home
/dev/sda1             660G  392G  268G  60% /windows/C

I know this is not the best way have a quad-boot OS and quite honestly I blame myself for not planning it more carefully. My question now is, is it possible to recover booting to my Windows 7 and how?

Any help will be greatly appreciated and desperately needed.

caf4926 · May 22, 2011, 11:22am

Did the SUSE bootloader work OK?
A wubi install isn’t a real install is it?

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 11:36am

Thanks for the quick response.

Did the SUSE bootloader work OK?

Yes. SUSE bootloader has always worked before and after I tried installing mint. openSUSE is the only OS I can boot from.

A wubi install isn’t a real install is it?

Wubi is Ubuntu’s Windows installer. It adds Ubuntu to Windows’ bootloader but it uses “folders” within the same Windows partition. It does not require a separate partition

caf4926 · May 22, 2011, 12:32pm

Boot to suse
Open a terminal and become su -

Then follow this guide to reinstall the SUSE bootloader
Re-Install Grub Quickly with Parted Magic
(Obviously you don’t need Parted magic, just work from step 2: You type:…

Once you have done that
Reboot

You should get the SUSE bootloader

To add mint, this guide will help you edit /boot/grub/menu.lst
Multiboot Ubuntu, Debian, Mint and similar with Grub in openSUSE

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 1:00pm

grub> find /boot/grub/menu.lst
(hd0,5)

grub> root (hd0,5)
Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0x83

grub> setup (hd0)
Checking if “/boot/grub/stage1” exists… yes
Checking if “/boot/grub/stage2” exists… yes
Checking if “/boot/grub/e2fs_stage1_5” exists… yes
Running “embed /boot/grub/e2fs_stage1_5 (hd0)”… 17 sectors are embedded.
succeeded
Running “install /boot/grub/stage1 (hd0) (hd0)1+17 p (hd0,5)/boot/grub/stage2
/boot/grub/menu.lst”… succeeded
Done.

grub> quit

Rebooted but it still goes to Mint’s GNU Grub 1.98 with the same original problem. I might be wrong but I think Wubi/Ubuntu installed Grub 1.5 also. From what Im seeing OpenSuse’s Grub is directed to partition 5’s (Mint partition) when selecting Windows.

Thanks again

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 1:18pm

This is my menu.lst :

# Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Sat May 21 04:39:19 PDT 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
gfxmenu (hd0,5)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title openSUSE 11.4 - 2.6.37.6-0.5
    root (hd0,5)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part6 devfs=mount,dall resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part5 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x318 nomodeset
    initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe -- openSUSE 11.4 - 2.6.37.6-0.5
    root (hd0,5)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part6 showopts apm=off noresume edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x31A
    initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: windows###
title Windows 7 Ultimate OR Ubuntu 11.04
    rootnoverify (hd0,0)
    chainloader +1

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: floppy###
title Floppy
    rootnoverify (fd0)
    chainloader +1

caf4926 · May 22, 2011, 1:19pm

I have to go out
But have a look at this:
updategrub for openSUSE Legacy Grub (not update-grub!)

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 1:31pm

I can wait and will try to make heads or tail with this link

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 1:58pm

For additional info, I found a script to provide details of my bootloader and partitionsL

                 Boot Info Script 0.60    from 17 May 2011


============================= Boot Info Summary: ===============================

 => Grub Legacy (v0.97) is installed in the MBR of /dev/sda and looks on the 
    same drive in partition #6 for /boot/grub/stage2 and /boot/grub/menu.lst.

sda1: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ntfs
    Boot sector type:  Grub2 (v1.97-1.98)
    Boot sector info:   Grub2 (v1.97-1.98) is installed in the boot sector of 
                       sda1 and looks at sector 1436103552 of the same hard 
                       drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and 
                       looks in partition 8 for (,msdos8)/grub. No errors 
                       found in the Boot Parameter Block.
    Operating System:  Windows 7
    Boot files:        /menu.lst /grldr /bootmgr /boot/bcd 
                       /Windows/System32/winload.exe /grldr /grldr.mbr 
                       /wubildr /ubuntu/winboot/wubildr /wubildr.mbr 
                       /ubuntu/winboot/wubildr.mbr /ubuntu/disks/root.disk 
                       /ubuntu/disks/home.disk /ubuntu/disks/swap.disk

sda1/Wubi: _____________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  Ubuntu 11.04
    Boot files:        /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab

sda2: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       Extended Partition
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  

sda5: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       swap
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  

sda6: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  Welcome to openSUSE 11.4 
                       "Celadon" - Kernel ().
    Boot files:        /boot/grub/menu.lst /etc/fstab

sda7: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  
    Boot files:        

sda8: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  
    Boot files:        /grub/grub.cfg /grub/core.img

sda9: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  Linux Mint 10 Julia
    Boot files:        /etc/fstab

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 2:01pm



============================ Drive/Partition Info: =============================

Drive: sda _____________________________________________________________________

Disk /dev/sda: 750.2 GB, 750156374016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 91201 cylinders, total 1465149168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes

Partition  Boot  Start Sector    End Sector  # of Sectors  Id System

/dev/sda1                  63 1,382,929,152 1,382,929,090   7 NTFS / exFAT / HPFS
/dev/sda2    *  1,382,932,478 1,445,617,663    62,685,186   f W95 Extended (LBA)
/dev/sda5       1,382,932,480 1,387,149,311     4,216,832  82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda6       1,387,151,360 1,418,700,799    31,549,440  83 Linux
/dev/sda7       1,418,702,848 1,435,829,801    17,126,954  83 Linux
/dev/sda8       1,435,830,272 1,439,651,839     3,821,568  83 Linux
/dev/sda9       1,439,653,888 1,445,617,663     5,963,776  83 Linux


"blkid" output: ________________________________________________________________

Device           UUID                                   TYPE       LABEL

/dev/sda1        880CFD860CFD6F94                       ntfs       
/dev/sda5        a2799c7d-f7b4-410c-bda1-5b7bcad77a6e   swap       
/dev/sda6        91f24c6a-c1f6-4e80-aec9-a941ede124b9   ext4       
/dev/sda7        91f62472-6f6e-4537-8636-712a3936284d   ext4       
/dev/sda8        bb4f39ef-5490-4543-92b1-cc35bdbd0edb   ext4       
/dev/sda9        a1ff754d-a443-43b3-8b7b-c0c87e755556   ext4       

================================ Mount points: =================================

Device           Mount_Point              Type       Options

/dev/sda6        /                        ext4       (rw,relatime,user_xattr,acl,barrier=1,stripe=1,data=ordered)
/dev/sda7        /home                    ext4       (rw,relatime,user_xattr,acl,barrier=1,stripe=1,data=ordered)


================================ sda1/menu.lst: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hiddenmenu 
timeout 0 
title openSUSE 11.4 installer (LOCAL) 
find --set-root /openSUSE_hitme.txt
kernel /openSUSE/linux devfs=mount,dall ramdisk_size=65536  lang=en splash=silent vga=0x31A
initrd /openSUSE/initrd
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

========================== sda1/grldr embedded menu: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda1: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

           GiB - GB             File                                 Fragment(s)

            ?? = ??             menu.lst                                       0

======================== sda1/Wubi/boot/grub/grub.cfg: =========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if  -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
set default="0"
if  "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if  -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}

function recordfail {
  set recordfail=1
  if  -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if  -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}

function load_video {
true
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 880CFD860CFD6F94
loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
set root=(loop0)
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if  "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
if background_color 44,0,30; then
  clear
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.38-8-generic" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 880CFD860CFD6F94
	loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
	set root=(loop0)
	linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=880CFD860CFD6F94 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro   quiet splash
	initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.38-8-generic (recovery mode)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 880CFD860CFD6F94
	loopback loop0 /ubuntu/disks/root.disk
	set root=(loop0)
	linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=880CFD860CFD6F94 loop=/ubuntu/disks/root.disk ro single 
	initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" --class windows --class os {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='(/dev/sda,msdos1)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 880CFD860CFD6F94
	chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if  -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

============================= sda1/Wubi/etc/fstab: =============================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point>   <type>  <options>       <dump>  <pass>
proc            /proc           proc    nodev,noexec,nosuid 0       0
/host/ubuntu/disks/root.disk /               ext4    loop,errors=remount-ro 0       1
/host/ubuntu/disks/swap.disk none            swap    loop,sw         0       0
/host/ubuntu/disks/home.disk    /home    ext3    loop    0    0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

================= sda1/Wubi: Location of files loaded by Grub: =================

           GiB - GB             File                                 Fragment(s)

  12.162113190 = 13.058969600   boot/grub/grub.cfg                             1
   2.048816681 = 2.199900160    boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-8-generic               2
  12.160465240 = 13.057200128   boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic                  1
   2.048816681 = 2.199900160    initrd.img                                     2
  12.160465240 = 13.057200128   vmlinuz                                        1

=========================== sda6/boot/grub/menu.lst: ===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Sat May 21 04:39:19 PDT 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
gfxmenu (hd0,5)/boot/message
##YaST - activate

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title openSUSE 11.4 - 2.6.37.6-0.5
    root (hd0,5)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part6 devfs=mount,dall resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part5 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x318 nomodeset
    initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe -- openSUSE 11.4 - 2.6.37.6-0.5
    root (hd0,5)
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part6 showopts apm=off noresume edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x31A
    initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: windows###
title Windows 7 Ultimate OR Ubuntu 11.04
    rootnoverify (hd0,0)
    chainloader +1

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: floppy###
title Floppy
    rootnoverify (fd0)
    chainloader +1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== sda6/etc/fstab: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part5 swap                 swap       defaults              0 0
/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part6 /                    ext4       acl,user_xattr        1 1
/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part7 /home                ext4       acl,user_xattr        1 2
/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part1 /windows/C           ntfs-3g    users,gid=users,fmask=133,dmask=022,locale=en_US.UTF-8 0 0
proc                 /proc                proc       defaults              0 0
sysfs                /sys                 sysfs      noauto                0 0
debugfs              /sys/kernel/debug    debugfs    noauto                0 0
usbfs                /proc/bus/usb        usbfs      noauto                0 0
devpts               /dev/pts             devpts     mode=0620,gid=5       0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda6: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

           GiB - GB             File                                 Fragment(s)

 671.621688843 = 721.148297216  boot/grub/menu.lst                             1
 671.598365784 = 721.123254272  boot/grub/stage2                               2
 662.414062500 = 711.261683712  boot/initrd                                    4
 662.414062500 = 711.261683712  boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.5-default               4
 662.370021820 = 711.214395392  boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop               1
 671.886520386 = 721.432657920  boot/vmlinuz                                   1
 671.886520386 = 721.432657920  boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.5-default              1
 671.857574463 = 721.401577472  boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop              1

============================= sda8/grub/grub.cfg: ==============================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if  -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
set default="0"
if  "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if  -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}

function recordfail {
  set recordfail=1
  if  -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if  -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}

function load_video {
  insmod vbe
  insmod vga
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set a1ff754d-a443-43b3-8b7b-c0c87e755556
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
  set gfxmode=640x480
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set bb4f39ef-5490-4543-92b1-cc35bdbd0edb
set locale_dir=($root)/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if  "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set bb4f39ef-5490-4543-92b1-cc35bdbd0edb
insmod png
if background_image /grub/linuxmint.png ; then
  set color_normal=white/black
  set color_highlight=white/light-gray
else
  set menu_color_normal=white/black
  set menu_color_highlight=white/light-gray
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/06_mint_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Linux Mint 10 64-bit, 2.6.35-22-generic (/dev/sda8)' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	recordfail
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set bb4f39ef-5490-4543-92b1-cc35bdbd0edb
	linux	/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=a1ff754d-a443-43b3-8b7b-c0c87e755556 ro   quiet splash
	initrd	/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Linux Mint 10 64-bit, 2.6.35-22-generic (/dev/sda8) -- recovery mode' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	recordfail
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set bb4f39ef-5490-4543-92b1-cc35bdbd0edb
	echo	'Loading Linux 2.6.35-22-generic ...'
	linux	/vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic root=UUID=a1ff754d-a443-43b3-8b7b-c0c87e755556 ro single 
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 2:02pm

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###
### END /etc/grub.d/10_lupin ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set bb4f39ef-5490-4543-92b1-cc35bdbd0edb
	linux16	/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set bb4f39ef-5490-4543-92b1-cc35bdbd0edb
	linux16	/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 880cfd860cfd6f94
	chainloader +1
}
menuentry "openSUSE 11.4 - 2.6.37.6-0.5 (on /dev/sda6)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 91f24c6a-c1f6-4e80-aec9-a941ede124b9
	linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part6 devfs=mount,dall resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part5 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x318 nomodeset
	initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop
}
menuentry "Failsafe -- openSUSE 11.4 - 2.6.37.6-0.5 (on /dev/sda6)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 91f24c6a-c1f6-4e80-aec9-a941ede124b9
	linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS547575A9E384_J2540054G7RNKE-part6 showopts apm=off noresume edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x31A
	initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.5-desktop
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if  -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=================== sda8: Location of files loaded by Grub: ====================

           GiB - GB             File                                 Fragment(s)

 684.787559509 = 735.285043200  grub/core.img                                  1
 684.788093567 = 735.285616640  grub/grub.cfg                                  1
 684.819877625 = 735.319744512  initrd.img-2.6.35-22-generic                   1
 684.809703827 = 735.308820480  vmlinuz-2.6.35-22-generic                      1

=============================== sda9/etc/fstab: ================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point>   <type>  <options>       <dump>  <pass>
proc            /proc           proc    nodev,noexec,nosuid 0       0
# / was on /dev/sda9 during installation
UUID=a1ff754d-a443-43b3-8b7b-c0c87e755556 /               ext4    errors=remount-ro 0       1
# /boot was on /dev/sda8 during installation
UUID=bb4f39ef-5490-4543-92b1-cc35bdbd0edb /boot           ext4    defaults        0       2
# swap was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=a2799c7d-f7b4-410c-bda1-5b7bcad77a6e none            swap    sw              0       0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=============================== StdErr Messages: ===============================

  No volume groups found
mdadm: No arrays found in config file or automatically

caf4926 · May 22, 2011, 5:31pm

I don’t understand this sufficiently to answer one way or the other.
The writer of the script may be able help (@please_try_again)

Have you tired supergrubdisk
It may help you boot what you cannot currently.

CyberNerdz · May 22, 2011, 10:38pm

I tried Super Grub disk but didn’t help. There forum is also locked so I can’t really post to get help there.

Correct me if I’m wrong but how I’m understanding the problem is that the initial bootloader is run by openSUSE’s Grub 1.5, then when Windows is selected it goes to Mint’s Grub 1.93. Since Mint’s Grub took over Wubi’s Grub on the same partition, selecting Windows from it just loops back. Would this be a correct assumption?

Would removing Mint and its bootloader fix the problem?

please_try_again · May 22, 2011, 11:41pm

All right, you are wrong. First off there is nothing like Grub 1.5. There is Grub 0.97, also called ‘Legacy Grub’, used by openSUSE and some other distros and Grub 1.98, also called Grub2, used by the latest Debian, Ubuntu and its derivatives. There is Grub stage 1.5 however, which is the part of Legacy Grub installed on the first track on the disk (17 sectors under openSUSE, more or less on other distros) only when you install Grub into MBR.

If you installed Mint after openSUSE as you stated in your first post and according to the pictures you posted, you should now have - logically - Grub2 in MBR (picture 2 looks like Grub2 in console mode - which is the default on Ubuntu after a fresh install).

You are trying to mix the traditional (and relatively safe) method of multibooting with something else I cannot say anything about - except that I wouldn’t recommand it. Maybe your Linux install inside the Windows partition set Linux as the default with a timeout of 0, so you never get to see the Windows boot manager and you’re just booting in circle. There is a wrong conception of multibooting here. The first thing you have to do is to repare your Windows bootloader and/or your Windows bootmanager. Then you can install as many Linux distros as you like in as many partitions as you need, boot them all either with Grub2 or with Legacy Grub or a combination of both or many (one Grub per distro).

CyberNerdz · May 23, 2011, 12:33am

Thank you. That was very informative. Forgive my ignorance but I have a few questions:

How do I repair my Windows bootloader/manager with all the Grub installed?

Will this now remove Grub and also remove my option to boot to my other Linux distros?

At this point I would rather get rid of Mint (partition & Grub/bootloader) but of course keep Windows for my work apps. Although I have invested a few days on my Ubuntu and openSUSE OS, It would be a huge benefit if I can also recover them.

please_try_again · May 23, 2011, 1:07am

The different Grubs you have neither pose nor won’t solve the problem.
This Legacy Grub entry from openSUSE is perfectly correct and will boot Windows:

And so will this also correct Grub2 entry - taken I assume from Mint:

CyberNerdz:

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 880cfd860cfd6f94
	chainloader +1
}

It will overwrite the Grub installed in MBR (I guess Mint’s) with a generic boot code and set the bootflag on the Windows partition, which will then boot by default. Notice than in your particular case, booting the Windows partition doesn’t necessarely mean booting Windows (!)

Mint is irrelevant. You should either get rid of Wubi or learn how to deal with this unusual dualbooting inside your Windows partition:

Wubi is causing the problem and takes precedence over the Windows bootloader. openSUSE and Mint are most likely fine (and irrelevant). Both Grubs will try to boot the Windows partitions but the WIndows partition boots Wubi by default. Everything’s wrong is happening in sda1.

CyberNerdz:


sda1: __________________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ntfs
    Boot sector type:  Grub2 (v1.97-1.98)
    Boot sector info:   Grub2 (v1.97-1.98) is installed in the boot sector of 
                       sda1 and looks at sector 1436103552 of the same hard 
                       drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and 
                       looks in partition 8 for (,msdos8)/grub. No errors 
                       found in the Boot Parameter Block.
    Operating System:  Windows 7
    Boot files:        /menu.lst /grldr /bootmgr /boot/bcd 
                       /Windows/System32/winload.exe /grldr /grldr.mbr 
                       /wubildr /ubuntu/winboot/wubildr /wubildr.mbr 
                       /ubuntu/winboot/wubildr.mbr /ubuntu/disks/root.disk 
                       /ubuntu/disks/home.disk /ubuntu/disks/swap.disk

sda1/Wubi: _____________________________________________________________________

    File system:       ext4
    Boot sector type:  -
    Boot sector info:  
    Operating System:  Ubuntu 11.04
    Boot files:        /boot/grub/grub.cfg /etc/fstab

I cannot help with Wubi, nor with Windows. I can only tell you that getting rid on Wubi and installing Ubuntu in a separate partition would be by far the cleanest thing to do.

please_try_again · May 23, 2011, 1:17am

CyberNerdz:

Boot sector info:   Grub2 (v1.97-1.98) is installed in the boot sector of 
                       sda1 and looks at sector 1436103552 of the same hard 
                       drive for core.img. core.img is at this location and 
                       looks in partition 8 for (,msdos8)/grub.

I quoted this part again because this is the explanation: Wubi installed its own Grub in the bootsector of your Windows partition (sda1) and looks for ist core (the equivalent of Grub stage2 for Grub2) in partition sda8.

CyberNerdz · May 23, 2011, 2:40am

Many thanks again and I appreciate your patience. Is there a way then to edit/fix Grub instead of looking for Grub in sda8 to boot to Windows in sda1? I understand you don’t support Windows and I can search on restoring my Windows MBR/bootloader but is this the direction your suggesting I take?

please_try_again · May 23, 2011, 3:48am

No. You can not edit that part. You would have to reinstall Grub under Wubi so that it looks for its core somewhere else.

You have 2 solutions:

Restoring the Windows bootloader, get rid of Wubi and create other partitions if you want to install other Linux distros. This is ‘relatively’ simple and many people here can help you with that.
Getting familiar with Wubi and setting up its Grub (which should not be different from another Grub2), so that it allows you to boot Windows. This should not be difficult either, but I really don’t know how Wubi handles this ext4 partition inside a ntfs partition. You need a Wubi expert on this.

caf4926 · May 23, 2011, 4:37am

I’m not sure that isn’t the attempt made to install SUSE grub?

If you don’t have a windows disk (Most people don’t)
Use this: Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files

On a standard Win7 DVD the methos is

Boot off the windows 7 installation DVD
Proceed to the screen “Windows 7 / Install Now” BUT DO NOT click to install
Select to “Repair your computer”
Select/put the radio button/dot next to “Use recovery tools that can help fix problems” → Next
Select “command prompt”
enter this command: Bootrec.exe /FixBoot
enter this command: Bootrec.exe /FixMbr
enter this command: exit
Click to Restart

Then you can bring SUSE grub back with the Parted Magic guide I posted earlier.
We can add a Mint entry easily later

A bit of advice, never do wubi install again