Locked up in boot process.

[Gene Heskett]

On Saturday 01 August 2009, Steven Vollom wrote:
>Trim
>
>> If that is all you can see in /boot, Steven, then that install seems to be
>> hosed as grub itself was never installed.  I'd do it again, from a cold
>> powerup with the install disk in the optical drive.  Note that forward
>> slash though, just 'boot' instead of '/boot' might be getting you the
>> wrong directory somehow made during a broken install.
>
>I am not sure I understand what you are saying here.  My computer has been
>working fine for over a month.  Minor glitches have appeared just after an
>upgrade, but even then everything has been problem free, as far as I am
>concerned.
>
>See for yourself:
>
>ubuntu at ubuntu:~$ /boot/grub/menu.lst
>bash: /boot/grub/menu.lst: No such file or directory
>ubuntu at ubuntu:~$

>ubuntu at ubuntu:~$ /boot/grub
>bash: /boot/grub: No such file or directory
>ubuntu at ubuntu:~$

Neither of those are executable files or directories Steven, so in order
to see what they are, you need to use a viewer of some kind.  Some like 
'more' and some, like me, use 'less' cuz less is actually more than more.

So the first command line above should be something like:
ubuntu at ubuntu:~$ less /boot/grub/menu.lst
It is, or should be a text file, with 'verses' that might faintly resemble
this:

title Fedora (2.6.27.25-170.2.72.fc10.i686.PAE)
        root (hd0,0)
        kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.27.25-170.2.72.fc10.i686.PAE ro root=UUID=811c07da-065e-4da7-988e-686913725b53 nomodeset memory_cor
ruption_check=1
        initrd /initrd-2.6.27.25-170.2.72.fc10.i686.PAE.img

Note that I said faintly, not exactly cuz that came from the first 'verse' of
mine.

>Before the failed install of xine, my computer worked fine.  I was stopped
> in the middle of installation with an instruction that I did not have
> proper permissions, and to install I was in sudo.  Immediately after
> closing KpackageKit, I was unable to open Konqueror, or Dolphin, or a
> shell.  I came to the boot problem when I tried to restart my computer.
>
>I haven't been experimenting or playing at all with any configurations or
>trying to make difficult installations for over a month.  To be honest, I
>injured myself and wasn't able to spend the time on too many thoughtful
>projects, but I was motivated to stop taking the hits for a while.  I have
>been using my computer for pleasure only.  When I couldn't play a .wmv, I
>attempted to install Xine, because it was recommended.  I am concerned that
>some of the recent updates have broken previous good work.
>
>In the month that preceded this crash, I had to reinstall about 20 times.

That's unreal.  Either you have some really funkity hardware, or what, I don't
know.

I can't see even a rank novice needing to do that that many times.  However,
when I suggested that someone may be available locally, who can help you learn
what needs to be done, you went silent, like you didn't even get the message.

Someone locally will need to learn your address & phone number.  That's a 
given.  I wouldn't post it here, but if someone is interested enough to
email you privately, start with your phone number so they might get to know
you, and then decide if you want to share your address for a get together.

I am not local to you by several hundred miles if I have read between the
lines correctly, or I would take a stab at it.  I'm several hours east of you
in WV, & looking at my 75th on down the calendar a couple of pages.  An hours 
drive, yes, but not 7+.

Please, do not let your paranoia about strangers keep you from taking
advantage of any local help that may be offered.

>I
>took a lot of cheap shots through that time period where the assumption
> seemed to be that I was just playing with my computer and that was the
> cause of the screw ups.  I am a pretty easy going fellow, but it got so
> depressing to hear the same innuendos, that I stopped doing anything
> interesting on my computer and just used it to send emails and view movies
> and the like.  So when this happened, I did not have anything to relate the
> problem to from a stable system.  And like before, no one seems to believe
> my comments.  But I am an expert at installing Jaunty perfectly and kmail
> and other things that are necessary immediately after installation, so I am
> sure that this is not a problem cause by me, unless I am to blame for
> wanting to install xine, using kpackagekit.  It is the only different thing
> done to my computer in over a month of working better than perfectly. 
> Transfer speeds now exceed what the computer is supposed to be capable of, 
> But they are what they are.  One gig moved in 6 seconds.  Perhaps that is
> the reason this happened.  I use ext4 exclusively.  Could the extra speed
> be causing the installation problems?
>
>My brain feels like it is in a vice.  Thanks for the help, friend.
>
>Steven
>
>> >> 6. press 'Esc'
>> >> 6. press 'b'
>> >>
>> >> This is also explained on screen.
>> >>
>> >> Let the list know how it goes :-)
>> >>
>> >>     -Frans
>>
>> --
>> Cheers, Gene
>> "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
>>  soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
>> -Ed Howdershelt (Author)
>> The NRA is offering FREE Associate memberships to anyone who wants them.
>> <https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp>
>>
>> The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up
>> in the morning, and does not stop until you get to work.


-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
The NRA is offering FREE Associate memberships to anyone who wants them.
<https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp>

In 1962, you could buy a pair of SHARKSKIN SLACKS, with a "Continental
Belt," for $10.99!!