Locked up in boot process.

[Steven Vollom]

On Sunday 02 August 2009 02:39:11 am Gene Heskett wrote:
> 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

ubuntu at ubuntu:~$ less /boot/grub/menu.lst

/boot/grub/menu.lst: No such file or directory
ubuntu at ubuntu:~$
ubuntu at ubuntu:~$

Trim
> >
> >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 do have a hardware problem.  My motherboard is an ASUS M3N-HT Mempipe.  My 
computer is an AMD Quad 9600 with 8gb ram.  Returning from the bathroom one 
day, I found the computer off and saw that a clock was blinking.  I don't know 
what happened, but some kind of power problem must have occurred.  When I 
attempted to boot the computer, it would not boot.  I couldn't afford to take 
it to a shop, so it sat for about 2 months while I got the funds to proceed.

I had made several posts with the list but the solution was not found.  On a 
fluke, I tried a Live CD, one day, and found that the system booted.  I still 
had a problem, but I found that I could operate on 1 stick of ram instead of 
the 4 that I normally ran.  I found that the outer two memory slots had a 
defect.  I removed 2 sticks of memory and it works great again, until this 
current problem
>
> 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.

It happened because the efforts to find the problem which ended up being a 
memory problem caused many conflict errors that eventually cause the need for 
reinstall.  I don't blame anyone, it was just trying stuff that didn't work 
also caused new problems.  I am really lost without a computer, so many times 
I reinstalled just to have a working box.  Several times it was suggested I 
reinstall, several times I just needed to have a working box and reinstalled 
before finding the problem.

I have been working this problem for a couple of days now.  Soon I will 
probably reinstall.  I don't seem to be finding a resolution.  I am asked to do 
similar tests from different people.  I do them, but I know the answer.  Each 
time I do it, I have to boot to a live CD when it doesn't work and reconfigure 
kmail and lose the emails that cannot be saved to the regular drive.

Today, I copied this days emails to a word document and saved them to a thumb 
drive, so I will have my record after I boot next time.
>
> 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 have tried in the past without success.  When you made the suggestion, I 
spent a couple of days trying to find a Linux group near enough to my place for 
me to get there.  They did not even answer the emails of inquiry I sent, so I 
suspect they are not around anymore.
>
> 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 would just love a local collaborator.  I would treat them special and make 
them want to work together.  I am very grateful for this list.  It has made me 
very competent in certain of the daily tasks when using Linux.  I am not so 
much in the blind.  In fact my experience in certain areas leads people to 
believe I should also be competent in areas I have not yet learned the tasks.  
It is coming slowly, but for an instance.  I can install, update and configure 
mail in 14 minutes in Jaunty.  I have had to do it so many times, there is 
hardly a break in the process.  And everything always works good after an 
install.  I even have made shortcuts in the process in certain configuration 
steps.  Then when I install the kubuntu restricted extras, it slows, but only 
because the computer can only work so fast.  All intermediate steps  take 
place without even thought about the process.  When I click tab, enter, left 
arrow enter to accept Sun's conditions, I am typing about as fast as when 
sending an email.

The limited experience I have using the command line is with such confidence 
that I type at my fastest pace and trust the lack of errors.  Computing is 
really getting fun.  But now that I have a bit of experience, and am not as 
limited as I was in the past, it seems like people don't really consider my 
statements some times.  I must have answered the same people several times 
getting them convinced I really don't have a grub folder or menu.lst when I 
operate using the Live CD. Personally, how ever that became lost, I believe it 
is what is wrong, but I don't know how to put it back in the boot.  I suspect 
I will after solving this problem.  I hope someone recognizes the solution 
soon, I really need a computer working properly.  Later tonight, I am going to 
wipe the drives of an old P4 that I have and install Karmic.  i realize I will 
probably have problems with karamic too, but it will probably work while this 
one is being fixed.  I just don't want to keep reinstalling to solve my 
problems, I loose the knowledge that may come from finishing the repair.

You are 9 years older than me.  I wish I had your knowledge.  
>

> >
> >> >> 6. press 'Esc'
> >> >> 6. press 'b'

If I don't have grub or menu.lst in my system, how can I continue to that 
point.  I don't understand.
> >> >>
> >> >> This is also explained on screen.
> >> >>
> >> >> Let the list know how it goes :-)
> >> >>
> >> >>     -Frans
>
> >> 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.

That is a funny statement.  I like it.
>
Thanks for the ongoing help.

Steven