problems in upgrading to/installing Ubuntu 9.10

[Tom H]

> Till two days back my HP-Compaq nx6115 notebook (AMD Turion64)
> was working dual boot with Windows XP home Edition on two partitions(sda1 &
> sda5)
>  of 40GB each and Unbuntu 9.04 on other partitions(sda6 & sda7).
> Then, I tried to upgrade to Ubuntu 9.10. It was not successful with blank
> screen
> at booting.
> Then, I tried to load Ubuntu 9.10 fresh from CD. while installing files a
> alarm was
> observed regarding one of windows partitions(sda5). Installation was not
> successful
>  with GRUB alarm and GRUB Rescue prompt. Is there any way rescue attempt
> could be made?
> Further, I tried to load Ubuntu 9.04(earlier) version from CD. The problem
> persisted.
> I could recover Windows installation by FIXMBR in repair mode with
> installation CD.
> Finally, I had to delete second Windows Partition (sda5), before I
> successfully, reload Ubuntu 9.04 again.
> My queries:
> How to use GRUB Rescue?
> Could the stuation be handled better without need to delete of sda6(loosing
> data)?
> Is it safe to attempt to install Ubuntu 9.10 once more? If so with what
> steps?

grub-rescue> = GRUB has not found the right partition/disk. You can
use "ls" to locate the right partition/disk, load sh:grub>, and boot.

grub rescue> ls
grub rescue> ls (hd0,X)/boot
grub rescue> ls (hd0,X)/boot/grub
# where sdaX is the correct Ubuntu partition #
# if they list the contents of /boot and /boot/grub #
# load normal.mod to go to the grub shell
grub rescue> insmod (hd0,X)/boot/grub/normal.mod
# try to boot using the following #
sh:grub> configfile (hd0,X)/boot/grub/grub.cfg

# if "configfile..." above fails #
sh:grub> root (hd0,X)
sh:grub> insmod /boot/grub/ext2.mod
sh:grub> linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.x.x root=/dev/sdaX ro
# where sdaX is the correct Ubuntu partition #
# where vmlinuz-2.6.x.x is the correct kernel #
sh:grub> initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.x.x
# where initrd.img-2.6.x.x is the correct initrd #
grub> boot