Problem setting up GRUB on my new full install

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rmcellig
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Problem setting up GRUB on my new full install

#1 Post by rmcellig »

I just installed Puppy 5.2.8 on SDA1. I also have a couple of puppy folders that each contain a frugal install. Both are on SDA1 as well.

When I use Grub4DOS, the first window comes up (image1). When I click on the OK button, nothing happens. Normally I would see a window that looks like image2. How can I make Grub4DOS work? This is the only way I know how to create a GRUB menu that looks nice.
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rcrsn51
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#2 Post by rcrsn51 »

I tried a fresh frugal install of Lupu 528 and Grub4Dos worked correctly.

Run "grub4dosconfig" from the command line. Does it throw any error messages?

Boot off your Live CD and see if you can reproduce the problem.

rmcellig
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#3 Post by rmcellig »

This is what I get:

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sh-4.1# grub4dosconfig
BINSTALLER=bootlace.com
sda(MBR)_203.9GB_ATA_Maxtor_6L200R0_
fd0_(FLOPPY_DISK)
sdb_250.0GB_WD_2500BEV_External
/usr/sbin/grub4dosconfig: line 581: 27284 Terminated              $GTKDIALOG -p DIALOG -c &>/dev/null
PCPARTS:
/dev/sda1|ext4|101075968
/dev/sda3|ext4|33499136
/dev/sda4|ext4|62477312
/dev/sdb1|ext4|244197376

LPART:/dev/sda1|ext4|101075968
The first partition starts from: 0(LBA)
/usr/sbin/grub4dosconfig: line 670: missing_error: command not found
sh-4.1# 

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rcrsn51
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#4 Post by rcrsn51 »

The error message is misleading. But the problem may be that you formatted the partition as ext4. In Lupu, that may not be a valid filesystem for a boot partition. Or Grub4Dos may not think so.

rmcellig
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#5 Post by rmcellig »

Interesting. So, what should I do so that it works? I think I did format that partition in Lupu as ext4.

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bigpup
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#6 Post by bigpup »

Could be the version of Grub4dosConfig you are using(V1.7) and the Ext 4 format.
Notice the listed fixes in 29oct11 v1.7.1: fix was failed with ext4.
The latest version of Grub4dosConfig now version 1.8
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=51697
Last edited by bigpup on Tue 20 Nov 2012, 21:03, edited 1 time in total.
The things they do not tell you, are usually the clue to solving the problem.
When I was a kid I wanted to be older.... This is not what I expected :shock:
YaPI(any iso installer)

rmcellig
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#7 Post by rmcellig »

I have 1.7 so I am going to install 1.8 and see what happens because now my GRUB looks like it is not working at all. Booted in from 5.2.8 CD so at least I can function until I get this resolved.


The reason I am booted into my pup CD is because I can't start my computer without hitting the # prompt to enter xwin or xorgwizard. Nothing seems to work. I created a seperate post on the issue and am hoping to resolve it soon. If not, I will just format SDA1 and reinstall Puppy again and see what happens.

Thanks for getting back to me!!

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rcrsn51
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#8 Post by rcrsn51 »

In the event that your system has gotten corrupted and you need to start again, the simplest approach would be to reformat the Puppy partition as ext3.

rmcellig
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#9 Post by rmcellig »

OK. I will do that. Are there any drawbacks formatting as ext 3? Is it more compatible than ext4?

Thanks!

iluminameluna
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#10 Post by iluminameluna »

rmcellig wrote:OK. I will do that. Are there any drawbacks formatting as ext 3? Is it more compatible than ext4?

Thanks!
Not experienced enough to b able to tell if you're running a "regular" hard drive or an SSD but I do know that ext 4 works best for "regular" (read: w/ moving parts) drives while ext3 & ext2 work best for SSDs.

I have 2 SSDs (I have a netbook) & I found out the hard way that though ext4 is excellent in case of power failures or just data saving generally, it does a number on SSDs 'cause it writes CONSTANTLY to them. It's called journaling. I know there's a link somewhere (sorry I don't have it!) that better explains the different formatting but I think I've done a very basic explanation.

In short, even ext2 is better than ext3 for the boot loader grub4dos. If you're using a Puppy OS, you probably have issues w/ low memory or just resources generally, so I can tell you that newer isn't necessarily better.

Good luck!

rmcellig
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#11 Post by rmcellig »

I just reformatted the partition I was having problems with as ext3, and did a new full install of puppy 5.2.8. Grub4dos worked fine so I now have a working Grub menu.

I would have used a frugal install but I find I am instantly adjusting the save file size and putting links outside my root folder.

I found one way to get around the save file issue is to do a frugal install, install all the software I need and then do a remaster to a new Iso file that I use as my new frugal install.

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