Booting problem

[Karl Larsen]

Keith Powell wrote:
> Karl Larsen wrote:
>   
>> 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)_
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> 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
>>>
>>>   
>>>       
>>     Sounds as if you have my problem. When I plug in both my IDE and 
>> SATA hard drives the BIOS goes nuts. It is a feature of the Award Bios 
>> that it can't get SATA and IDE to work together. On mine it depends 
>> which HD was last used. Drove me mad.
>>
>>
>>     I suggest you try a dual boot of Windows and Ubuntu on the Windows 
>> HD. Bet that works fine.
>>
>>     
>
> Thank you for your reply, Karl.
>
> Both the drives are IDE. I don't have any SATA drives.
>
> I've just done an experiment. I have replaced the Ubuntu drive with a 
> spare IDE drive I have. Then I installed Ubuntu on it. It works 
> correctly with the XP drive plugged in. Next, I installed all the 
> upgrades, including the new kernel. It still works! So I am wondering if 
> the original Ubuntu drive has gone faulty.
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Keith
>
>   
    Hi Keith, well it sure does sound like the old Ubuntu HD had a 
problem. If it is a problem with the HD it would be fun to try to put a 
ext3 file system on the entire HD and see what error messages you get. I 
can help with the how to do this if your interested.

Karl


-- 

	Karl F. Larsen, AKA K5DI
	Linux User
	#450462   http://counter.li.org.
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