Think I have a GRUB error, too. Can't boot w/o DVD.

[monica_c]

Hello everyone,
I'm new here; please be gentle.
I successfully used and installed (multiple times) Mandriva, Ubuntu, and most recently Mint, on different computers in my home, but wanted to try out Mageia on my main laptop, thinking I could dual-boot as I always have before.
I have completely screwed something up, and I can't say I adequately understand what happened, even after reading through the posts from those with similar issues.
I noticed nothing untoward during installation and I thought I had a good install until I shut it down and attempted to restart. The machine would not boot into either Windows or Mageia.
On boot attempt, I got the following text:
"Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key."
Freaking out, I put the install DVD back in the drive and pressed a key. The GRUB GUI appeared and I selected "Boot Microsoft Windows".
Here is the text I got:
"Filesystem type unknown, partition type 0x83 make active chainloader +1. Remove disks or other media. Press any key to restart". (Circular logic?)

I can boot into Mageia only with the DVD in the drive, and it appears to be operating from the DVD rather than the hard disk. I was able to import my windows files using MCC import utility, but I haven't restarted since I did so, so I don't know if they were written into the Mageia partition. (Guessing not, so I put it all on a USB). I took a screenshot of the partitions shown on the disk management page of MCC, and it shows the partitions allocated to Mageia and Windows and swap, with a very tiny gray sliver at the far left that I might think is the MBR?

Most everything during install was default, but it is possible that I wasn't paying attention well when it asked me what bootloader I wanted. Having used GRUB before, I might have selected it rather than GRUB 2, as I now know I shouldn't have (after reading the forums).

Best case scenario, I would like to have a working dual-boot operation. I know I can re-install Windows if I have to (since nearly everything is backed up), but because I use a soon-to-expire accounting program for my business, it will be a MAJOR pain-in-the-a**, should it be necessary.

(If I do that, it is unlikely that I would try Mageia again for awhile having been scared witless at this attempt of mine. Please understand, I completely blame my own damn self for not paying better attention.)

Is there a way to fix the MBR without losing both OS's? Is the MBR the problem? Have mercy.

*Edit* Sorry, I should have mentioned it is Mageia 3.

[gohlip]

I can boot into Mageia only with the DVD in the drive

Boot Mageia (without any usb drives connected), go to a terminal as root (type "su -") and let us know output of

Code: Select all

fdisk -lu
grub2-install -v
grub-install -v


At this point, can you tell us the partition Mageia is in, and if Linux Mint still in any partition?
And if you are now certain it is operating from DVD rather than the hard disk?


ps: and if Linux Mint is in a partition and is still operable, do you still have Linux Mint livecd (just in case).

[yankee495]

What DVD did you use? An install DVD or a Live DVD?

Did you resize partitions?

[doktor5000]

Hi gohlip and yankee495,
I don't have mint installed on this system, but I do have a live usb for it. I used an install DVD, and resized partitions in Windows prior to installation.
Results of above:

Code: Select all

[root@localhost ~]# fdisk -lu

WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sda'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.


Disk /dev/sda: 750.2 GB, 750156374016 bytes, 1465149168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x527cd163

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1   *           1  1465149167   732574583+  ee  GPT
Partition 1 does not start on physical sector boundary.
[root@localhost ~]# grub2-install -v
-bash: grub2-install: command not found
[root@localhost ~]# grub-install -v

[gohlip]

Okay, you have GPT partitioned hard disk.
Let us know if your "bios' is BIOS or UEFI
Let us know if it is Windows 7 or Windows 8.
Let us know if it is Windows 8, is secure boot disabled.

Suggest you reinstall Mageia 3, but only using beta4 or rc or later.
And with secure boot disabled.
And let the installation do it automatically.
(it will set up a separate "/boot" (not really, but..) and it will set up grub-efi (grub2).

reminder: do not "manually" or "expert mode" set it up.
but you must disable secure boot (if enabled)

note: grub-legacy will not work in this computer

ps: by your previous post, you did not have any grub installed. FYI

Good luck.

[yankee495]

You have to do these as root:

Code: Select all

grub2-install -v
grub-install -v

I read something about resizing and GPT partitions with Grub. I think you have to use Grub2. Forget where. Hang in there and we'll see if we can fix it.

[doktor5000]

He is in root.

[yankee495]

I think Monica is a she...

[monica_c]

I don't have mint installed on this machine, just a live USB.
As far as my partitions....well, the partition manager in MCC looks like tutti frutti candy.
Windows 7. I think BIOS is BIOS...I wouldn't know what UEFI looked like if I saw it. Almost afraid to shut this thing off and boot again.
I'm dumber than a box of rocks when it comes to deep massaging of this OS, so which do I do first? The code yankee495 gave me, or reinstall Mageia 3?
If I reinstall Mageia 3, am I gonna lose my Windows set up? I have data backed up, but trying to avoid losing it if I can.

Thanks to both of you so very much for trying to help me.

[monica_c]

I think Monica is a she...

Aaaand a blonde one at that. No surprise there

[yankee495]

Try to reinstall Mageia and use grub2. If you tell it that you are doing an upgrade it should fly through it as nothing will need upgraded but you probably should redo the whole thing so you can try to get an OS going to work on it further.

[gohlip]

You have to reinstall Mageia, select "side by side" or something like that (I have not automatically installed in years) and you will not lose Windows.
But best to remove all external usb or other drives at installation.

Good luck again.

ps: in my culture, we treat gender equally. so..... he, she...doesn't matter.
and ....we don't permit blonde jokes here either.

[monica_c]

Thank you so very much to both of you for your help.
I will try and re-install, and will let you know how it goes.