<solved>grub rescue

[manntraxx]

hello guys, i need some help
my system doesn't boot anymore

when i turn on the laptop, instead of the normal grub screen, i get the following:

"error: file not found
Entering rescue mode...
grub rescue> _"

i tried google it but none of the suggested ways to fix it couldn't help me
i tried also to make a bootable usb w/ unetbootin but all the distros failed to load w/ a syslinux boot error message
so i really need to fix the existing debian installation to get access to my files i need for the university :/
it's debian stable (6.0.4) on hp mini 210

thanks in advance

[kiyop]

Do you have any bootable live linux CD/DVD or USB?

What is shown if you type "ls" and press ENTER key at "grub rescue >" ?

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ls

Can you get in BIOS configuration menu?
If you can, is not any internal HDD detected by BIOS?

[manntraxx]

Typing "ls" results in:

(hd0) (hd0,msdos7) (hd0,msdos6) (hd0,msdos5)

[kiyop]

What goes on, if you type the following at "grub rescue >"?

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ls (hd0,msdos5)/
ls (hd0,msdos6)/
ls (hd0,msdos7)/

If you see
grub
with, for example, (hd0,msdos5), then

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set prefix="(hd0,msdos5)/grub"

If you do not see any
grub
and you see
boot
with, for example, (hd0,msdos7), then

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set prefix="(hd0,msdos7)/boot/grub"

If you see
boot
with, for example, (hd0,msdos7), then

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set root="(hd0,msdos7)"

After setting "prefix" and "root" by above,

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insmod normal
normal

Refer to:
Ubuntu Documentation > Community Documentation > Grub2 - GRUB 2 Troubleshooting Preparation
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2 ... reparation

[manntraxx]

Thanks a lot, man!
It works like a charm now

[kiyop]

Thanks a lot, man!
It works like a charm now

I am happy to have helped you

You can run "grub-install" to suitable MBR to set grub on MBR correctly.
If suitable MBR is on /dev/sda, after booting debian,

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su -
TYPE ROOT PASSWORD
grub-install /dev/sda

[ambwom]

Hello!

I have the same problem, but in my case when I write "ls (hd0,msdos5) " or any other (i write all of them) I found the replies "bad filename" or "unknown filesystem"

I need a hel Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaase, I have also important data in this computer I really can't lose it. My laptop is HP Mini 110-4100

Thank you so much

[kiyop]

To ambwom,

Calm down and read "Forum guidelines. Please read before first post!"

1. Do not cross post. Posting the same topic in more than one category only creates confusion and makes it hard to keep track on the various replies. Double posts will be locked.
2. Be descriptive. Use a meaningful headline and try to make your question as clear as possible. Include as much information as possible such as what Debian branch you are using, error messages, what you did that may have caused the problem etc. This greatly increase the chances of getting useful help.
...
7. (snip by kiyop)
Avoid 'thread hijacking'. Unless your question is directly related to the thread's topic, start a new one.

Do not hijack another person's thread even if the problem is similar.
Start a new thread instead.
Do not ask a question in diffferent threads like http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php? ... 96#p468196

I have the same problem,

Write concretely what you did and what your problem is.

but in my case when I write "ls (hd0,msdos5) " or any other (i write all of them) I found the replies "bad filename" or "unknown filesystem"

Is there "(hd0,msdos5)"?
I guess that there came a message "grub rescue>".
If so, execute

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ls

and check if there is "(hd0,msdos5)".

Furthermore, the last "/" is important.
"ls (hd0,msdos5)" should result in an error.
"ls (hd0,msdos5)/" may work.

[naikymen]

Hello I'm having some unexpected trouble while following the instructions on this thread. First I must clarify that I came here looking for a solution to a slightly different situation, that is the grub_rescue> prompt appearing after I upgraded to Ubuntu 12.10 from 12.04.1 I also have windows installed on a partition in the same hard drive (I don't know if that matters at all) and for the moment I am unable to get my hands on a live CD or USB.

Set command returns:

lang=
linux=(hd0,6)/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-21-generic
locale_dir=
prefix=(hd0,6)/boot/grub/i386-pc
root=hd0,6
secondary_locale_dir=

But when i run "insmod normal" or using the full path to normal.mod I get the following error:

error: symbol not found: 'grub_disk_dev_list'

Same for insmod linux except I get:

error: symbol not found: 'grub_realidt'.

Though I've been searching, I couldn't find what this means or how to fix it. Any help would be immensely appreciated.
PS: I realize this is a Debian forum, but Id appreciate your help given that it can be provided.

[kiyop]

To naikymen,

Do not hijack this thread, which I wrote just before your post:
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php? ... 77#p468233
I do not like persons who ignore (do not read) what I wrote.
Now I do not want to help you, but How about considering the result of

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ls

executed at "grub rescue>" prompt ?

If you do not use Debian but use ubuntu, how about asking in Ubuntu forums; http://ubuntuforums.org/index.php
there are many Gurus who know well about Grub2 in Ubuntu forums.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1599293
Altenatively, boot repair may help you.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

Good luck and good bye.

[naikymen]

kiyop
Im sorry for hijacking this thread and ignoring your post (which i had read) hoping you wouldnt mind, i was wrong.
I had previously gone through the links you povide and i couldnt make use of them, thought later i did, because they required a live image of ubuntu to work. Guess i could've asked the same there. I apologize for that too.
I had followed all of your recomendations above and had considered the output of ls at grub_rescue> and had set the variables myself as indicated by you.
The solution i found was to knock the doors of my neighbors asking for a PC to make a live Usb and proceed using the methods you provide.
Regards.

[yoursolace]

Just needed to say THANK YOU!!!!!!

[GarryRicketson]

Hello!

I have the same problem, but in my case when I write "ls (hd0,msdos5) " or any other (i write all of them) I found the replies "bad filename" or "unknown filesystem"

I need a hel Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaase, I have also important data in this computer I really can't lose it. My laptop is HP Mini 110-4100

Thank you so much

Well now that thread has been solved, and hijacked, etc, ...Some thing that I wonder,

I have also important data in this computer I really can't lose it.

Why do you not have back ups, or some sort of copies made and stored somewhere safe, ? I mean really , if the data is that important , that would be the first thing to do , before doing that kind of upgrade, or messing with the bootloader , etc.
If the data changes daily, then new backups need to be made daily, if the data is so important , that you can not lose it. Things happen, what if someone steals the laptop ?