Booting problem
Mark Haney
mhaney at ercbroadband.org
Mon Oct 6 13:25:34 UTC 2008
Keith Powell wrote:
> My set-up here is two internal hard drives. One has XP on it and the
> other Ubuntu 8.04.1. Each installation is entirely separate. While the
> BIOS is booting, I select which hard drive to use.
>
> This has been working perfectly until a couple of days ago. Now I am
> having a big problem!
>
> With only the Ubuntu hard drive plugged in, it boots correctly.
>
> However, with both hard drives plugged in, Ubuntu starts booting and
> then stops with the error message:
>
> BusyBox v1.1.3 (Debian 1:1.1.3-5ubuntu12) Built-in shell (ash)
> Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands
> (initramfs)_
It looks like initrd is doing something stupid. Possibly with the way
the drives are now being discovered or mapped.
>
> I have tried rebooting in safe mode, but get the same message.
> I have tried using the XP System restore and going back to an earlier
> point (in case there was an XP problem).
> I have even reinstalled Ubuntu with the XP drive unplugged.
This isn't XP related at all if Ubuntu is the one not booting properly.
>
> All are the same: Ubuntu is OK if XP is unplugged, no good if it's
> plugged in. For information, XP runs whether both drives are plugged in
> or if the Ubuntu is unplugged.
Can you try using a previous kernel with both drives plugged in? It
almost sounds like a kernel upgrade has included an initrd (as shown by
the 'initramfs_' line) that is funky with your system.
That's about the only option I can give you without cracking open the
initrd image on that kernel.
>
> It's defeated me and I don't know what's causing it.
>
> Any ideas, please? (Apart from "Don't use Windows!!)
>
> Many thanks
>
> Keith
>
--
Libenter homines id quod volunt credunt -- Caius Julius Caesar
Mark Haney
Sr. Systems Administrator
ERC Broadband
(828) 350-2415
Call (866) ERC-7110 for after hours support
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