GRUB not working on IDE-SD adapter

Newbie Corner
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#21

How did you install grub?
From your Live installer?
If yes, try again (I know it's a PITA, but..) the same, but do not install grub at all.
Reboot again in the Live installer and

  • Boot to the installed Manjaro using the method in the Tutorial.
  • See if it runs well.
  • Run a complete update (pacman -Syyu) and reboot.
  • Again, boot to the Installer and use it to boot to the installation.
  • Run in the terminal
sudo grub-install /dev/sd{proper letter after check}
sudo update-grub
  • Reboot and try (finally) to boot to installation normally (unplug USB installer 1st)

If you cannot get to your installation as explained, try to do the same with chroot.

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#22

A suggestion... Do not put swap as the first partition in an msdos partitioned device.
All other partitions use the first sector for bootloader thingies,
The first sector of a device is the mbr.
Swap uses all the partition. It does not have a first sector.

So if you use swap as the first partition, and it does not have the first sector, it means you cannot set 'pbr to it or 'mbr.

Try again. start again with gparted device tab....created partition table...msdos....make partitions.

Swap not in first partition. why not make more partitions? oh 32 GB? good enough.

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#23

Ok, I'm trying a new install with the swap partition in second position, grub installed via architect. If it doesn't work I'll try installing again installing grub via chroot/the tutorial way suggested by petsam. I'll keep you updated.
I'm using just two partitions mainly for two reasons: they're faster to create during this long sequence of installations, and anyways I just wanted to keep it simple. What partition scheme do you suggest?

#24

how about scrapping the swap partition and using a swapfile in a single ext4 partition spanning the entire SD card? that should work

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#25

Ok, some bad news for you:

Partitioning with the swap partition in second position didn't change anything. Still same "Operative system not found".

I tried a new install without installing grub as suggested by petsam. This time search.file /etc/manjaro-release root outputs nothing. search.file /etc/manjaro-release instead outputs hd1,msdos.
After that if I try configfile /boot/grub/grub.cfg it simply clears the grub console, ending with a clean screen and a grub> prompt at the top.

I noticed that the live usb grub splash notices an existing os and shows up a menu entry in order to boot it up, but if I select it, it just takes me to a black screen and nothing more happens.

I think I have already tried yesterday the single partition with swapfile, but after all these tries I don't remember well, and I'll give it a try.

#26

Do this and on the black screen go to TTY (Ctrl+Alt+F3), login and startx.
Report any errors.
If all fail, try to chroot to the installation.
When you boot, does your BIOS (with shortcut pressed) see the device as an option? (for info, don't select it)

#27

Have you tried this with syslinux. Older may actually be better in this case. Sorry, but my syslinux skills are very rusty. I used to really like syslinux, but it's been a long time since I've used it.

#28

No success for the single partition install

#29

Yeah, I'll do a few other tries with grub, then I'll try it for sure. But if it is possible I'd really wanna know why grub isn't working well before

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#30

Nope, It is good news.
As follows...

But after installing grub, nothing explodes, right?
Not like this? Before?

The partitions remain now that the swap is not in first partition?
You should say so, if something goes right.

Now as for the new problem (you did not encounter this before as 'everything exploded')...

So it is there, your OS is there. Not like before.
You just cannot configfile the grub. And take you back to grub.

Now, isn't that an improvement?

You don't need to redo with swap file. You can continue to try to get it working.
I need another break.

#31

@AgentS, you want to take over?
His OS is there, just make sure he uses the right kernel/initramfs file and other parameters to make it boot.
Suggest he boot to prompt first ('3') to convince him he can boot up.
OP mind is set for failure.

32 bit OS, any special things needed? I lost touch with 32 bit for some time.

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#32

It doesn't matter where I place the swap position: in any configuration, if I don't install grub everything remains as it should be.

I'm installing again with the two partition setup to try petsam's tty suggestion, but I believe there's no tty there, just a black screen: no os loading before.

Anyways, I'll try then to chroot from the live media and install grub from there. I'll keep you updated.

PS: Thank you all for the time you're dedicating to me and my problem, I really appreciate it

#33

@lionhead, to boot to prompt (like tty, just more certain than ctl + alt + some F key),
After you get to manjaro grub menu, instead of pressing enter, press 'e' to edit.
Arrow down to linux line.
Remove everything except 'rw' and the linux kernel.
Remove resume=xxxxxxxxxx, quiet, splash, everything else. except kernel and rw.
And add '3' (without apostrophes)
You should boot to prompt.
Login with password
Then pacman-mirror/update/upgrade
Fix what needed to be fix.

#34

After doing...

grub> search.file /etc/manjaro-release

You must do a second time, this time with root

grub> search.file /etc/manjaro-release root

I think you typed wrongly last time. Maybe.
then chekc your kernel with

grub> ls ($root)/boot/

At the manjsro entry, pressing 'e' recheck kernel is correct as listed in your 'ls' output.

#35

If configfile command gives nothing, (or returns to grub prompt) don't worry..
We can use like follwoiing to tnboot

grub> probe -u $root --set=abc
grub> linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.xx.xxxxxxxx root=UUID=$abc rw  3
grub> initrd /boot/initramfs-4.1xxx.xxxx.img
grub> boot

[edit] forgot the '3', added above.
[ERRATA] - added above probe -u and root=UUID=

#36

This problem is just too interesting. You couldn't let it go could you Gohlip.

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#37

Next up how to use an "etch a sketch" as a remote trackpad. :smile:

#38

Dedication to duty, my friend.
When job is not done .....

Heh heh heh, you rascal.
You too didn't sleep one night helping kdemeos get her network up, right?
I wanted to rib you hard then but ... I don't disrupt people doing their job.
Missed the chance. I see you had yours here. But it is much welcome to break a smile here.
Cheers.

1 Like
#39

Sorry, I couldn't resit. I will let you get back to business. :+1:

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#40

[ERRATA] Missed one important part. Above won't boot.

Should be

grub> search.file /etc/manjaro-release 
grub> search.file /etc/manjaro-release root
grub> ls ($root)/boot/
grub> probe -u $root --set=abc
grub> linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.xx.xxxxxxxx root=UUID=$abc rw  3
grub> initrd /boot/initramfs-4.1xxx.xxxx.img
grub> boot

Corrected in earlier post as well.

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