Whenever I try to start my computer it shows the following error:
file /boot/grub/i386-pc/normal.mod not found
Entering rescue mode...
grub rescue>
I tried installing Ubuntu 14.04 onto my computer which was preloaded with windows 8.1. My goal was to make this a dual boot.
I primarily followed these instructions
I accidentally skipped step 5, which was turning off secure boot, and is most likely what led to my current error. Ubuntu installed on my computer but I was unable to run it past the live session which prompted me to try out Ubuntu and/or install it again. But now I can't even get there.
In frustration, I removed my flash drive and that is when I arrived at this screen, which I can't seem to get out of.
If helpful, entering the command ls on the grub rescue mode prompt outputs:
(hd0) (hd0,gpt 12) (hd0,gpt 11) (hd0,gpt 10) (hd0,gpt 9) (hd0,gpt 8)... (hd0,gpt 2)
(hd0,gpt 1)
set outputs:
cmdpath=(hd0) prefix=(hd0,gpt10)/boot/grub root=hd0,gpt10
These are the only two commands that work (that I know of). I've tried things like, quit, exit, lsmod, but none have worked.
Best Answer
So I just now was able to successfully make my laptop a dual boot.
The way I got rid of the grub rescue prompt was actually by changing my boot mode from Legacy Mode to UEFI. I did this by booting into the bios menu when I turned on my computer by pressing f2 (for me). I then scrolled over to Boot and switched this under the Boot Mode option.
This got rid of the grub rescue screen upon powering up my machine. When I turned it on, it took me straight into Windows with no option to choose Ubuntu. My next step was to disable secure boot (see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn481258.aspx for more info on this).
NOTE: the disable secure boot option does not appear until after you switch to UEFI. I was now able to turn Secure Boot Off. The way to do this was also on the BIOS menu. I simply scrolled left to the Security tab (NOTICE: you should see an option for Secure Boot on the Bottom. You need not disable this, since my next instruction will disable it). I scrolled all the way down to Reset to Setup Mode and pressed enter. This Clears PK, disables Secure Boot (see for yourself on that screen) and enters Setup Mode. On a side note: I tried simply disabling Secure boot many times, saving it each time but this did not change anything when I restarted my computer (still booted to Windows automatically).
After this, when I rebooted I had the option to choose Ubuntu or Windows (since Ubuntu was already installed).
I did this on a Lenovo P400. My understanding is that this whole UEFI thing is unique to new operating systems, including but not limited to Windows (8 and 8.1)