Ubuntu – Ubuntu 11.04 stops booting at grub console

grub2

I did a fresh install of ubuntu 11.04, then I installed Windows 7. So I decided to fix the grub after win7 install using the ubuntu 11.04 Live CD.

Disaster:

instead of

$sudo grub-install --boot-directory=/media/uuid/ /dev/sda

I entered

$sudo grub-install --root-directory=/media/uuid/ /dev/sda

Now when my system boots, it stops at the grub console

grub>

My problem is exactly as this one http://aaron-kelley.net/blog/2011/04/grub-prompt-after-upgrade-to-ubuntu-11-04/ but I have not been able to fix my problem. Thanx for your help.

Best Answer

I never got in trouble by using these instructions:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Grub2#Recover

First of all, you must start your system from a live cd. Then

"METHOD 3 - CHROOT

This method of installation uses the chroot command to gain access to the broken system's files. Once the chroot command is issued, the LiveCD treats the broken system's / as its own. Commands run in a chroot environment will affect the broken systems filesystems and not those of the LiveCD.

1) Boot to the LiveCD Desktop (Ubuntu 9.10 or later). Please note that the Live CD must be the same as the system you are fixing - either 32-bit or 64-bit (if not then the chroot will fail).

2) Open a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal).

3) Determine your normal system partition - (the switch is a lowercase "L")

sudo fdisk -l

If you aren't sure, run 

df -Th

Look for the correct disk size and ext3 or ext4 format.

4) Mount your normal system partition:

Substitute the correct partition: sda1, sdb5, etc. 

sudo mount /dev/sdXX /mnt

Example: sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt

5) Only if you have a separate boot partition: sdYY is the /boot partition designation (for example sdb3)

sudo mount /dev/sdYY /mnt/boot

6) Mount the critical virtual filesystems:

sudo mount --bind /dev  /mnt/dev
sudo mount --bind /dev/pts  /mnt/dev/pts
sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
sudo mount --bind /sys  /mnt/sys

7) Chroot into your normal system device:

sudo chroot /mnt

8) If there is no /boot/grub/grub.cfg or it's not correct, create one using

update-grub

9) Reinstall GRUB 2:

Substitute the correct device - sda, sdb, etc. Do not specify a partition number.

grub-install /dev/sdX

10) Verify the install (use the correct device, for example sda. Do not specify a partition): 

sudo grub-install --recheck /dev/sdX

11) Exit chroot: CTRL-D on keyboard

12) Unmount virtual filesystems:

sudo umount /mnt/dev/pts
sudo umount /mnt/dev
sudo umount /mnt/proc
sudo umount /mnt/sys

13) If you mounted a separate /boot partition:

sudo umount /mnt/boot

14) Unmount the LiveCD's /usr directory:

sudo umount /mnt/usr

15) Unmount last device:

sudo umount /mnt

16) Reboot. 

sudo reboot
"

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