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Cannot Boot Ubuntu 9.04 - Stuck in Memtest or Grub

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I recently got sick of windows and a BSOD pushed me over the edge. Some memory failure or something and I couldn't start windows except in safe mode. I was just planning on going to Ubuntu anyhow. So I booted it from an 8gb USB using UNetBootin and installed it. Got it running, things were going well, except internet. I was trying to figure out drivers or whatever, and ended up updated computer with one of the network things and when I tried running it on reboot goes to the memtest, which I let run, but when it finishes my only option is to restart and it does it again. I scoured the net, but no avail.

I can get to an options-like page, but my only opton is Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+

I go to edit and it has

Code :

uuid blahblahblahbunchofnumbers
kernel /boot/memtest86+bin
quiet

When I go to command line and type kernel /boot/ <tab>, it just shows memtest86.bin and grub.

As you can see I am not amazing with linux/computers, but I am semi-intelligent when it comes to this stuff. To make matters worst I just formatted the entire HD when I installed (I'm SO done with Windows), but now I wish I had it at least to re-install Ubuntu. If anyone knows how to get back to Ubuntu and how to keep it that way, or knows how to totally reinstall the whole thing please let me know. I gotta fix this quick too =( Wish I could offer more info, and I appreciate any help.

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One more thing, I used root (hd0,0) and in the kernel /boot/ there is grub or memtest86+bin, I use

Code :

cat /boot/grub/mem.ls

and the only thing listed beyond the comment/options is the Ubuntu 9.04 with the text I quoted in my first post. Does it even register an install of Unbuntu? I am just so lost. Thanks in advance for any help!

EDIT: I can get into this thing called BusyBox (Ash) a basic shell. It says ALERT modules do not exist! then it takes me there when I try booting from the USB. Alright... this is all I got for now... *sigh*

Message edited by MG87 on 10-05-2009 at 08:06:27 AM

Reply to MG87

Your grub conf file should have a bunch of stuff in it including a long list of kernels.

Are you seeing any of that in /boot/grub/menu.lst?

------------------------------ $GNU_Linux=$Linus_Torvalds=AWESOME();

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Reply to linux_0

Try to see if a backup file has been made of that menu.lst file, for example menu.lst.backup or anything. It may have a proper backup which include proper boot information.

------------------------------ ...man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but usually manages to pick himself up, walk over or around it, and carry on.
Reply to sub mesa

There's lots of stuff listed but the only 'kernel' listed is the memtest I had wiped computer and just installed it so I might as well just reinstall. How do I do that with unetbootin and necessary info on USB from grub?

There's a menu.lst and menu.lst~. Is that the back up? How would I find and use a backup? Typing on my iPhone and I'm no txt champ so forgive me in advance for minor typos and short messages.

Reply to MG87

Okay I think I found the right info in the menu.lst~ but I don't know how to get to it and I can't use the .lst~ and I don't know how to edit the .lst to add the info. I try loading the kernel but I get error 15 file not found. Not sure what to so now.

Reply to MG87

Try this

Code :

cp menu.lst menu.lst.a
cp menu.lst~ menu.lst
ls -la /boot

You should have at least two vmlinu* files under /boot, those are the kernels, if you don't then your install is probably broken and you should probably re-install.

Before you install, you should run a disk check to make sure your disk isn't corrupt. If you disk is corrupt you will have strange problems.

It's also a great idea to check the ISO checksums and signatures to ensure you have a good ISO.

Each distribution usually has instructions on how to check the sums.

There are some bad and bootleg ISOs on the net so you got to watch out! You shouldn't trust stuff you download from the net unless you check the sums and sigs.

Good luck

------------------------------ $GNU_Linux=$Linus_Torvalds=AWESOME();

Need Linux help? PM me
Reply to linux_0

I got sick of messing with it so I tried loading Mandriva which is good but trying to get my wireless card working was impossible so now I'm trying Nubuntu 8.12 apparently has some drivers prepackaged and I found a great guide for it! Wish me luck ad thanks for all the help.. and something tells me I will be back very soon :-/

Reply to MG87

Have you tried fedora? http://www.fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora-all

Good luck

------------------------------ $GNU_Linux=$Linus_Torvalds=AWESOME();

Need Linux help? PM me
Reply to linux_0

Mandriga and nUbuntu were epic fails so I'm attempting Fedora as we speak.. they need one-command-and-done with 1 file to install all the drivers you could need to make this easy haha.

Reply to MG87

Linux and Patience are two similar topics.

Reply to amdfangirl

Fedora has more support for newer hardware, your wireless has a higher chance of being detected.

Reply to amdfangirl

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Forum Linux/Free BSD : Linux/Free BSD General Discussion - Cannot Boot Ubuntu 9.04 - Stuck in Memtest or Grub