Wubi

Grub rescue> ( How to solve this issue )

Asked by Alex Moisescu

  Hello:

 I have installed Ubuntu 10.04 on my second partition of my Toshiba Satellite Pro L551 laptop using Wubi. In the C partition I have (I hope I still have) Windows 7 which came preinstalled when I bought the laptop, without receiving any Windows 7 cd.

 Everything was fine until I have installed updates for Ubuntu, including Grub !!?? (Why it was provided as update for install, this I do not get it ??!! )

  After I restarted my computer it displays this on a black screen:

  Error: no such device: 8c35181b-d6d0-476f-a1b2-7503d2915da7.
  grub rescue >:

   I just want to get back my former way of booting with double choice boot : windows 7 and ubuntu.

   What should I do ? Please provide a clear answer in plain language as I am not a computer expert.

   I do have an Ubuntu CD and I can boot from CD and choose "Try Ubuntu". Can I fix the issue from Ubuntu ?

   Thank you !

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bcbc
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bcbc (bcbc) said : 		#1

The basic problem is that you have installed the grub bootloader to your disk master boot record (MBR). You need to restore the Windows bootloader (or equivalent). The good news is that your Windows and Ubuntu installs are fine.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have, but this support thread http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1639198 has all the details you need. You are looking for Problem #1 and you can use either Solution #1 or Solution #2.

Just note that if you reinstall the Windows bootloader, you do not need to repair the bootsector or anything else. So, for Windows 7 you'd just run "bootrec.exe /fixmbr"

If you don't have a Windows DVD or repair CD, you can install lilo from an Ubuntu live CD (Solution #2). It's perfectly safe - I'm using lilo in my own computer right now.

For future use - never update packages grub-pc or grub-common. If you do, when it prompts you where to install grub, do not select to install it anywhere (ignore warnings). Unfortunately, this bug has been around since April 2010 and the developers have not fixed the problem.

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Alex Moisescu (alexfitness) said : 		#2

  First thanks for the answer.

  I am trying with Lilo. Please read the Solution 2 below.

  How can I run both commands in the Terminal ??

  I wrote the first line :

"sudo apt-get install lilo" After I hit enter something is going on.

  When and how do I run the second command ?

"sudo lilo -M /dev/sda mbr"

   Please remember that my Linux knowledge ( and computers in general ) are somehow limited.

  I opened Ubunto Software Center from Applications , typed in Lilo and found that I have it installed ( I guess it is from the first line of commands) . I see it is installed when I search for "Lilo" (but I can not find it in the Main Menu)

   What do I do from here ?

  Here is the Solution 2 pasted:

  Solution #2:

If you do not have a Windows CD, or are unable to get hold of one, you can use an Ubuntu CD to install a Windows-like bootloader.

From a terminal on the LiveCD (Applications > Accessories > Terminal), run the following commands:

Code:

sudo apt-get install lilo
sudo lilo -M /dev/sda mbr

This assumes that sda is the Windows drive. If not, change this to reflect the actual drive e.g. sdb, sdc, etc.

Ignore any warnings and continue with the installation to the MBR. The main point is to get lilo installed and allow the user to boot Windows, and hopefully Ubuntu, again.

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Best bcbc (bcbc) said : 		#3

When you run the first command (sudo apt-get install lilo) you got a popup warning, and there was an OK 'button'. If it wasn't selected, then TAB will take you to it. Hit Enter. That brings you back to the command prompt.
Then run from the command line:
sudo lilo -M /dev/sda mbr

It will tell you that it was installed successfuly. Then reboot (removing CD).
.

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Alex Moisescu (alexfitness) said : 		#4

    Victory !!

  Thank you very much bcbc. Your answer helped me bring my computer back from death.

  And I still like and use Ubuntu : )

  I am a Physical Conditioning trainer living in Shanghai. If you ever need any help about Fitness or Physical Conditioning, I would be glad to help.

  Thanks again,

  Alex Moisescu

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bcbc (bcbc) said : 		#5

Great! Good to hear.