10.04 version update hangs on grub-pc setup

I have had exact same problem with both a desk top xp dual install and a laptop vista dual install, cannot get grub pc section to install and my firefox wont run although I am connected to the internet.

The following info from ls and parted describe my two hard drives with added right margin notes regarding my system.
Grub seems to install ok from a terminal but fails and blocks when called by Distribution Upgrade. Should I try to install GRUB to sdb1, sdb2, and sdb5? Are these considered partition boot records and not recommended? is the MBR on the first 32.3kB of each drive? Is this likely to go away with the next upgrade or is the problem entirely local? I have been using Mark Sobell's "Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux". I would like to fix this but have not been successful. Any pointers as to where to look would be much appreciated.

Thank you
Randy

randy@randy-desktop:~$ ls -l /dev
total 0
  ...
brw-rw---- 1 root disk 8, 0 2010-06-21 13:23 sda
brw-rw---- 1 root disk 8, 1 2010-06-21 10:31 sda1

brw-rw---- 1 root disk 8, 16 2010-06-21 13:21 sdb
brw-rw---- 1 root disk 8, 17 2010-06-21 10:31 sdb1
brw-rw---- 1 root disk 8, 18 2010-06-21 10:31 sdb2
brw-rw---- 1 root disk 8, 21 2010-06-21 10:31 sdb5
brw-rw---- 1 root disk 8, 22 2010-06-21 10:31 sdb6
  ...
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo parted /dev/sda print
Model: ATA MAXTOR STM350063 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 500GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
 1 32.3kB 500GB 500GB primary ntfs boot XP main drive

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo parted /dev/sdb print
[sudo] password for randy:
Model: ATA Maxtor 6L200P0 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 204GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
 1 32.3kB 105GB 105GB primary ntfs boot GRUB & XP secondary drive
 2 105GB 204GB 99.1GB extended Ubuntu now 10.04
 5 105GB 200GB 95.0GB logical ext4 "
 6 200GB 204GB 4071MB logical linux-swap(v1) "

randy@randy-desktop:~$

randy@randy-desktop:~$ date
Mon Jun 21 15:25:55 CDT 2010
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo grub-install /dev/sdb
[sudo] password for randy:
Installation finished. No error reported.
randy@randy-desktop:~$
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo update-grub
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition on /dev/sda1
Found Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition on /dev/sdb1
done

Randy, install your grub to sda instead.
sudo grub-install /dev/sda (not sdb)

explanation: sda is master, you must set grub to master drive, even if ubuntu is at sdb.

Dean, if need help, please provide more information, like Randy.
Firefox is different issue, please put this in different, separate item. But check network settings under preferences, advanced.

I installed grub to the mbr on sda and changed the bios back to boot from hd0(sda). I can still select XP on sda or the default Ubuntu on sdb by using the grub menu. Unfortunately Update Manager still hangs when attempting to configure grub-pc 1.98. Do I need to create a boot partition on the XP drive (sda) and install grub there? This all worked fine with 9.10 with no separate boot partition. Could the problem be with the 10.04 update manager?

So you can boot to both OS, please mark the problem as solved.
As to the update manager, since you've done 'grub-install /dev/sda', there is no need to use update manager unless you want to modify it. And you don't need a separate boot partition.

Goh Lip,
Thank you for the prompt reply. Also thank you for answering my question regarding a separate boot partition.

From the title "version update hangs on grub-pc setup", it wasn't failure to boot that was the original problem. I could boot to both systems and thought there was no problem after installing 10.04 until the first version update became available. Update manager launches automatically when a new version (possible incorrect nomenclature I mean update from 2.6.31-21 to 2.6.32-22) When update manager finished downloading the next update it started to install grub-pc 1.98. At that point it hung. The Linux system still worked so I could run other tasks, but update manager was hung and remained so until reboot.

My concern is that without the ability to install security upgrades, this system will degrade.

Is it possible to install the newest version from a live cd over the first version of 10.04 without loosing the files and configuration I now have?

Thanks again,
Randy

When My Linux O/S has been on for a few hours, I get a red triangle with an explanation mark(!) inside at the top of my screen. When I place my cursor on the icon, I get this message:
[The update information is outdated. This may be caused by network problems or by a repository that is no longer available. Please update manually by clicking on this icon and then selecting "Check for updates" and check if some of the listed repositories fail.]
When following the above instructions, or starting with update manager, the updates are downloaded and the process stalls after attempting to configure grub. The error message displayed at this point is:
"The GRUB boot loader was previously installed to a disk that is no longer present, or whose normally uque identifier has changed for some reason. It is important to make sure that the installed GR|U|B stays in sync with other components such as grub.cfg or with newer Linux images it will have to load, and so you should check again to make sure that GRUB is installed to the appropriate boot devices.

[If you're unsure which drive is designated as the boot drive by your bios, it is often a good idea to install GRUB to all of them].

Note: It is possible to install GRUB to partition boot records as well. However, this forces GRUB to use the blocklist mechanism, which makes it less reliable, and therefore is not recommended.

     <OK>"

Re:It is possible to install GRUB to partition boot records as well
Yes, but if you not set grub to sda (mbr) as well, it will not boot.

Re:but update manager was hung and remained so until reboot.
At terminal, "sudo apt-get -f install" "sudo dpkg --configure -a"

Re:The GRUB boot loader was previously installed to a disk that is no longer present
That is why you must install to sda.

Re: The update information is outdated. This may be caused by network problems or by a repository that is no longer available.
Try again; network may be down or repository is updating; also best to set repository to location closer to you. Use synaptic to automatically detect best location.

Goh Lip,

Great. This is progress. This is where the problem occurs. I think booting is ok. When I ran your two commands, the message above from "The GRUB ... to ...<OK>" appears in the terminal and terminal activity stalls. Closing the terminal kills the process. Restarting the script in a new terminal and exiting before the second command gives:

 Script started on Wed 21 Jul 2010 08:11:58 PM CDT
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get -f install

[sudo] password for randy:

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.

randy@randy-desktop:~$ exit

exit

Script done on Wed 21 Jul 2010 08:13:04 PM CDT

Unfortunately the second command doesn't solve but rather invokes the problem. The second command responds with "setting up grub-pc 1.98" then the background turns blue with a white rectangle inside and a narrow black border with a title line of "Configuring grub-pc". It is in the interior of this white rectangle that the message above from "The GRUB ... to ...<OK>" appears.
The "<OK>" s centered below the message in white characters with a red background.

Earlier, from a CD-live I recorded:
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo mount /dev/sdb5 /mnt
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda
Installation finished. No error reported. Then I re-booted and issued "sudo update-grub"

One other clue from Update Manager: "Distribution Upgrade announces "Not all upgrades can be installed at this time", offers to run a partial upgrade."

I appreciate your patience. I will be thrilled to have this problem solved. I have been using Mark Sobel's "A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux". Can you recommend another favorite?

Thanks,
Randy

You said ...
Earlier, from a CD-live I recorded:
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo mount /dev/sdb5 /mnt
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda

try just this....
sudo mount /dev/sdb5
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/dev/sdb5 /dev/sda

sdb5 is /boot, right?
or if you do not have a separate partition for /boot, then sdb5 is /

Or, If you somehow boot to ubuntu, then just
sudo grub-install /dev/sda

Good luck
oh, make sure sda is master drive and sdb is secondary drive, it is normally the case.
check your jumpers on the drives.

I got:
Script started on Wed 21 Jul 2010 10:13:48 PM CDT
andy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo mount /dev/sdb5

[sudo] password for randy:

mount: /dev/sdb5 already mounted or / busy

mount: according to mtab, /dev/sdb5 is already mounted on /

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo grub-install /dev/sda

Installation finished. No error reported.

randy@randy-desktop:~$ exit

exit

Script done on Wed 21 Jul 2010 10:17:00 PM CDT

Then I changed both drives from cable select to sda master and sdb slave. Then confirmed that XP see dsb2 as the E:drive and Ubuntu sees sda through the magic of Linux. I note that these two drives worked with fine 9.10 and 10.04 worked fine until the first automatic update.

I appreciate your working with me on this.

You said ...
Earlier, from a CD-live I recorded:
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo mount /dev/sdb5 /mnt
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda

try just this....
sudo mount /dev/sdb5
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/dev/sdb5 /dev/sda

It means from the livecd.

Just to be sure, can you boot into both XP and Ubuntu now?
And the problem is not being able to update?
And you have XP in both drives? (OS, that is; what is XP home?, not interested in ntfs partitions)
Please print out "parted -l", "blkid", "/etc/fstab"

If yes to my messge above,
sudo apt-get install --reinstall grub-pc

I have been able to succeed at some but not all of your suggestions. The computer was originally only XP on sdb. When I got sda, I cloned sdb onto sda and used sdb as a second drive. When I upgraded to Linux, I partitioned sdb half for XP and half for Linux. I regret that I will not be able to get back to this till probably Monday.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

What I have is:
**************
I tried this first from hard disk:
Script started on Thu 22 Jul 2010 01:01:22 AM CDT
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get install --reinstall grub-pc

[sudo] password for randy:

E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)

E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another process using it?

randy@randy-desktop:~$ exit

exit

Script done on Thu 22 Jul 2010 01:05:20 AM CDT
**************************
The following is from the CD-Live
To run a command as administrator (user "root"), use "sudo <command>".
See "man sudo_root" for details.

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo mount /dev/sdb5
mount: can't find /dev/sdb5 in /etc/fstab or /etc/mtab
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ partid -l
No command 'partid' found, did you mean:
 Command 'parted' from package 'parted' (main)
 Command 'parti' from package 'parti' (universe)
partid: command not found
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ parted -l
Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr0 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr0
has been opened read-only.
Error: /dev/sr0: unrecognised disk label

Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr1 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr1
has been opened read-only.
Error: /dev/sr1: unrecognised disk label

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ blkid
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ /etc/fstab
bash: /etc/fstab: Permission denied
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo /etc/fstab
sudo: /etc/fstab: command not found
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ cat /etc/fstab
aufs / aufs rw 0 0
tmpfs /tmp tmpfs nosuid,nodev 0 0
/dev/sdb6 swap swap defaults 0 0
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ parted -l /dev/sdb
Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr0 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr0
has been opened read-only.
Error: /dev/sr0: unrecognised disk label

Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr1 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr1
has been opened read-only.
Error: /dev/sr1: unrecognised disk label

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ fdisk -l
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo blkid
/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"
/dev/sda1: UUID="268C5F788C5F420B" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sdb1: LABEL="DRV2_VOL1" UUID="D670FEB970FEA003" TYPE="ntfs"
/dev/sdb5: UUID="aa9a097f-1e9c-46af-ad23-73eaea054901" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/sdb6: UUID="70b96e2b-0af1-4580-888f-dd9f8bf539be" TYPE="swap"
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo parted -l
Model: ATA MAXTOR STM350063 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 500GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
 1 32.3kB 500GB 500GB primary ntfs boot

Model: ATA Maxtor 6L200P0 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 204GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
 1 32.3kB 105GB 105GB primary ntfs boot
 2 105GB 204GB 99.1GB extended
 5 105GB 200GB 95.0GB logical ext4
 6 200GB 204GB 4071MB logical linux-swap(v1)

Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr0 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr0
has been opened read-only.
Error: /dev/sr0: unrecognised disk label

Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr1 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr1
has been opened read-only.
Error: /dev/sr1: unrecognised disk label

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo /etc/fstab
sudo: /etc/fstab: command not found
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo cat /etc/fstab
aufs / aufs rw 0 0
tmpfs /tmp tmpfs nosuid,nodev 0 0
/dev/sdb6 swap swap defaults 0 0
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo mount /dev/sdb5
mount: can't find /dev/sdb5 in /etc/fstab or /etc/mtab
****************************
The following was recorded days ago when I changed the bios back to boot from sda from sdb
Many thanks to Goh Lip. The following text captures my success at changing the
Boot back to drive 0 the master and continuing to be able to menu select XP or Ubuntu.
Unfortunately, update manager still seems to choke on configuring grub-pc.
Boot from CD-Live
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ df -Th
Filesystem Type Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on
aufs aufs 1007M 33M 975M 4% /
none devtmpfs 1002M 336K 1002M 1% /dev
/dev/sr1 iso9660 700M 700M 0 100% /cdrom
/dev/loop0
          squashfs 672M 672M 0 100% /rofs
none tmpfs 1007M 164K 1007M 1% /dev/shm
tmpfs tmpfs 1007M 28K 1007M 1% /tmp
none tmpfs 1007M 88K 1007M 1% /var/run
none tmpfs 1007M 4.0K 1007M 1% /var/lock
none tmpfs 1007M 0 1007M 0% /lib/init/rw
/dev/sdb5 ext4 88G 7.7G 75G 10% /media/aa9a097f-1e9c-46af-ad23-73eaea054901
/dev/sda1 fuseblk 466G 293G 173G 63% /media/268C5F788C5F420B
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo grub-install /dev/sda
/usr/sbin/grub-probe: error: cannot find a device for /boot/grub (is /dev mounted?).
No path or device is specified.
Try `/usr/sbin/grub-probe --help' for more information.
Auto-detection of a filesystem module failed.
Please specify the module with the option `--modules' explicitly.
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ /usr/sbin/grub-probe --help
Usage: /usr/sbin/grub-probe [OPTION]... [PATH|DEVICE]

Probe device information for a given path (or device, if the -d option is given).

  -d, --device given argument is a system device, not a path
  -m, --device-map=FILE use FILE as the device map [default=/boot/grub/device.map]
  -t, --target=(fs|fs_uuid|drive|device|partmap|abstraction)
                            print filesystem module, GRUB drive, system device, partition map module or abstraction module [default=fs]
  -h, --help display this message and exit
  -V, --version print version information and exit
  -v, --verbose print verbose messages
Report bugs to <email address hidden>.
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/dev/sdb5/ /dev/sda
mkdir: cannot create directory `/dev/sdb5//boot': Not a directory

ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo mount /dev/sdb5 /mnt
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda
Installation finished. No error reported.
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ sudo update-grub
/usr/sbin/grub-probe: error: cannot find a device for / (is /dev mounted?).
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ ls -l /
total 6
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 2357 2010-04-29 12:30 bin
drwxr-xr-x 4 root root 60 2010-04-29 12:33 boot
dr-xr-xr-x 10 root root 2048 2010-04-29 12:56 cdrom
drwxr-xr-x 19 root root 4420 2010-07-18 13:39 dev
drwxr-xr-x 139 root root 620 2010-07-18 17:23 etc
drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 60 2010-07-18 13:38 home
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 33 2010-04-29 12:26 initrd.img -> boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
...
ubuntu@ubuntu:/home$ ls -l /dev
total 0
crw-rw----+ 1 root audio 14, 14 2010-07-18 13:39 admmidi
crw-rw----+ 1 root audio 14, 12 2010-07-18 13:39 adsp
crw------- 1 root video 10, 175 2010-07-18 13:39 agpgart
crw-rw----+ 1 root audio 14, 13 2010-07-18 13:39 amidi
crw-rw----+ 1 root audio 14, 4 2010-07-18 13:39 audio
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 720 2010-07-18 13:38 block
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 120 2010-07-18 13:38 bsg
drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 60 2010-07-18 13:38 bus
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 3 2010-07-18 13:39 cdrom -> sr0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 3 2010-07-18 13:39 cdrom1 -> sr1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 3 2010-07-18 13:39 cdrw -> sr0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 3 2010-07-18 13:39 cdrw1 -> sr1
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 3560 2010-07-18 13:39 char
crw------- 1 root root 5, 1 2010-07-18 13:39 console
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 11 2010-07-18 13:39 core -> /proc/kcore
crw-rw---- 1 root root 10, 58 2010-07-18 13:39 cpu_dma_latency
drwxr-xr-x 6 root root 120 2010-07-18 13:38 disk
crw-rw----+ 1 root audio 14, 9 2010-07-18 13:39 dmmidi
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 80 2010-07-18 13:38 dri
crw-rw----+ 1 root audio 14, 3 2010-07-18 13:39 dsp
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 3 2010-07-18 13:39 dvd -> sr0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 3 2010-07-18 13:39 dvdrw -> sr0
crw-rw---- 1 root root 10, 61 2010-07-18 13:39 ecryptfs
crw-rw---- 1 root video 29, 0 2010-07-18 13:39 fb0
...
Reboot into Linux
So far, so good!
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo update-grub
[sudo] password for randy:
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-21-generic
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition on /dev/sda1
Found Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition on /dev/sdb1
done
**************
Bios changed back to boot from the Master drive /sda. The mbr correctly loads
the grub2 menu permitting access to either XP or Linux. Implies that the
mbr on the master drive was loaded to display the grub menu.

Unfortunately, update manager still detects something amiss.
Update Manager issues A warning:
"Not all updates can be installed
Run a partial upgrade, to install as many updates as possible.

This can be caused by:
*A previous upgrade which didn't complete
*Problems with some of the installed software
*Unofficial software packages not provided by Ubuntu
*Normal changes of a pre-release version of Ubuntu
      Partial Upgrade Close"
Choosing partial upgrade, Update Manager loads files and starts
"Setting up grub-pc (1.98-1ubuntu6) ..."
The last screen where the Update Manager hangs appears to come from grub.

*important* I noted you do not have '/' listed at your fstab, (highly unusual)
manually add this in your fstab before doing below. You need to reboot.
UUID=aa9a097f-1e9c-46af-ad23-73eaea054901 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1

Try again after correcting fstab and rebooting.
sudo apt-get -f install
sudo dpkg --configure -a

If error message, then again
sudo install --reinstall grub-pc

If error again:
Then force install: go to synaptic, at grub-pc, force install
If you dont know how, then best to use terminal, purge all grub-pc and reinstall.
Take care do not logoff when grub-pc is purged, reinstall while still logged on.
Also make sure this time you complete all installations and set to sda.:

sudo apt-get remove --purge grub-pc
sudo apt-get install grub-pc

If error again:
sudo apt-get -f install grub-pc

ps: make sure you don't have both synaptic on
while doing apt-get on terminal, you may get these messages
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another process using it?
This may also happen when system is automagically trying to update packages.
If you are not, you can safely remove /var/lip/dpkg/lock (in root) and try again.

Randy, this is complete sequence that you can do. Normally, the first step will be sufficient. It may be that your computer setup (like master/slave) is defective in the first place, and your '/' is missing from your fstab. But good luck again.

Goh Lip,
My reading is that "/" is listed in /etc/fstab in the form you suggested:
(UUID=aa9a097f-1e9c-46af-ad23-73eaea054901 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1)
and was last modified Wed 16 Dec 2009 12:16:26 PM CST right after installation

I currently suspect the problem is as you stated the "system is automagically
trying to update packages." In fact the problem first occured on the first
attempt to upgrade after installing 10.04 Can you say how to stop the
automagic assistance until this problem is solved? I did not delete the directory
/var/lib/dpkg/lock because I wasn't sure my system met the requirements for safe
removal.

My attempt to record my steps follow:

Your assistance is greatly apprecated.
********
confirm / in/etc/fstab
Note: randy@randy-desktop: commands from normal boot
      ubuntu@ubuntu: commands from CD-live
********
randy@randy-desktop:~$ date
Sun Jul 25 19:09:53 CDT 2010
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
# / was on /dev/sdb5 during installation
UUID=aa9a097f-1e9c-46af-ad23-73eaea054901 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdb6 during installation
UUID=70b96e2b-0af1-4580-888f-dd9f8bf539be none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd1 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
# Last modified Wed 16 Dec 2009 12:16:26 PM CST
********
Try commands lacking dpkg --configure -a because it hangs
********
Script started on Sun 25 Jul 2010 06:41:26 PM CDT
sudo fdisk -l

[sudo] password for randy:

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes

255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders

Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Disk identifier: 0x137c4121

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System

/dev/sda1 * 1 60801 488384001 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sdb: 203.9 GB, 203928109056 bytes

255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24792 cylinders

Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes

Disk identifier: 0x2756f130

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System

/dev/sdb1 * 1 12748 102398278+ 7 HPFS/NTFS

/dev/sdb2 12749 24792 96743430 5 Extended

/dev/sdb5 12749 24297 92767311 83 Linux

/dev/sdb6 24298 24792 3976056 82 Linux swap / Solaris

randy@randy-desktop:~$ cat /etc/fstab

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.

#

# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier

# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name

# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).

#

# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>

proc /proc proc defaults 0 0

# / was on /dev/sdb5 during installation

UUID=aa9a097f-1e9c-46af-ad23-73eaea054901 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1

# swap was on /dev/sdb6 during installation

UUID=70b96e2b-0af1-4580-888f-dd9f8bf539be none swap sw 0 0

/dev/scd1 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get -f install

E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)

E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another process using it?

randy@randy-desktop:~$ exit

exit

Script done on Sun 25 Jul 2010 06:44:11 PM CDT
********
reboot
********
Script started on Sun 25 Jul 2010 06:49:05 PM CDT
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo install --reinstall grub-pc

[sudo] password for randy:

install: unrecognized option '--reinstall'

Try `install --help' for more information.

randy@randy-desktop:~$ install --help

Usage: install [OPTION]... [-T] SOURCE DEST

  or: install [OPTION]... SOURCE... DIRECTORY

  or: install [OPTION]... -t DIRECTORY SOURCE...

  or: install [OPTION]... -d DIRECTORY...

This install program copies files (often just compiled) into destination

locations you choose. If you want to download and install a ready-to-use

package on a GNU/Linux system, you should instead be using a package manager

like yum(1) or apt-get(1).

In the first three forms, copy SOURCE to DEST or multiple SOURCE(s) to

the existing DIRECTORY, while setting permission modes and owner/group.

In the 4th form, create all components of the given DIRECTORY(ies).

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

      --backup[=CONTROL] make a backup of each existing destination file

  -b like --backup but does not accept an argument

  -c (ignored)

  -C, --compare compare each pair of source and destination files, and

                        in some cases, do not modify the destination at all

  -d, --directory treat all arguments as directory names; create all

                        components of the specified directories

  -D create all leading components of DEST except the last,

                        then copy SOURCE to DEST

  -g, --group=GROUP set group ownership, instead of process' current group

  -m, --mode=MODE set permission mode (as in chmod), instead of rwxr-xr-x

  -o, --owner=OWNER set ownership (super-user only)

  -p, --preserve-timestamps apply access/modification times of SOURCE files

                        to corresponding destination files

  -s, --strip strip symbol tables

      --strip-program=PROGRAM program used to strip binaries

  -S, --suffix=SUFFIX override the usual backup suffix

  -t, --target-directory=DIRECTORY copy all SOURCE arguments into DIRECTORY

  -T, --no-target-directory treat DEST as a normal file

  -v, --verbose print the name of each directory as it is created

      --preserve-context preserve SELinux security context

  -Z, --context=CONTEXT set SELinux security context of files and directories

      --help display this help and exit

      --version output version information and exit

The backup suffix is `~', unless set with --suffix or SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX.

The version control method may be selected via the --backup option or through

the VERSION_CONTROL environment variable. Here are the values:

  none, off never make backups (even if --backup is given)

  numbered, t make numbered backups

  existing, nil numbered if numbered backups exist, simple otherwise

  simple, never always make simple backups

Report install bugs to <email address hidden>

GNU coreutils home page: <http://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/>

General help using GNU software: <http://www.gnu.org/gethelp/>

Report install translation bugs to <http://translationproject.org/team/>

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get remove --purge grub-pc

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get -f install grub-pc

E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.

randy@randy-desktop:~$ ls /var/lip/dpkg

ls: cannot access /var/lip/dpkg: No such file or directory

randy@randy-desktop:~$ ls /var/lib/dpkg

alternatives cmethopt minfo statoverride status-old

available diversions lock statoverride-old triggers

available-old diversions-old parts status updates

randy@randy-desktop:~$ ls /var/lib/dpkg/lock

cat: /var/lib/dpkg/lock: Permission denied

randy@randy-desktop:~$ cat /var/lib/dpkg/lock
randy@randy-desktop:~$ exit

exit

Script done on Sun 25 Jul 2010 07:00:42 PM CDT
********
Lock exists but appears empty
********
Script started on Sun 25 Jul 2010 07:29:15 PM CDT

randy@randy-desktop:~$ ls /mnt

bin dev initrd.img lost+found opt sbin sys varm

boot etc initrd.img.old mmedia proc selinux tmp vmlinuz

cdrom home lib mnt root srv usr vmlinuz.old

randy@randy-desktop:~$ man mount

...

randy@randy-desktop:~$ mount -l

[sudo] password for randy:

/dev/sdb5 on / type ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)

proc on /proc type proc (rw)

none on /sys type sysfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)

none on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw)

none on /sys/kernel/debug type debugfs (rw)

none on /sys/kernel/security type securityfs (rw)

none on /dev type devtmpfs (rw,mode=0755)

none on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,noexec,nosuid,gid=5,mode=0620)

none on /dev/shm type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev)

none on /var/run type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)

none on /var/lock type tmpfs (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)

none on /lib/init/rw type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,mode=0755)

binfmt_misc on /proc/sys/fs/binfmt_misc type binfmt_misc (rw,noexec,nosuid,nodev)

gvfs-fuse-daemon on /home/randy/.gvfs type fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon (rw,nosuid,nodev,user=randy)

/dev/sr0 on /media/Disc1 (DVD-Video type udf (ro,nosuid,nodev,uhelper=udisks,uid=1000,gid=1000,iocharset=utf8,umask=0077) [Disc1 (DVD-Video]

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo grub-install /dev/sda

Installation finished. No error reported.

randy@randy-desktop:~$ date

Sun Jul 25 19:44:29 CDT 2010

randy@randy-desktop:~$ exit

exit

Script done on Sun 25 Jul 2010 07:44:42 PM CDT

Observation: I believe that 9.10 used grub 1.97 and 10.04 uses 1.98

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo dpkg-query --status grub-pc
[sudo] password for randy:
Package: grub-pc
Status: install ok half-configured
Priority: optional
Section: admin
Installed-Size: 2228
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <email address hidden>
Architecture: i386
Source: grub2
Version: 1.98-1ubuntu6
Config-Version: 1.98-1ubuntu6
Replaces: grub, grub-common (<< 1.97~beta1-1ubuntu4), grub-coreboot,
grub-efi-amd64, grub-efi-ia32, grub-ieee1275, grub-legacy,
grub2 (<< 1.98-1ubuntu6)
Depends: libc6 (>= 2.8), libdevmapper1.02.1 (>= 2:1.02.20),
debconf (>= 0.5) | debconf-2.0, grub-common (= 1.98-1ubuntu6), ucf
Suggests: desktop-base (>= 4.0.6)
Conflicts: desktop-base (= 4.0.5), grub (<< 0.97-54), grub-coreboot,
grub-efi-amd64, grub-efi-ia32, grub-ieee1275, grub-legacy
Conffiles:
 /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme cceb548bef9d5c2123c40c5e643c2cdd
Description: GRand Unified Bootloader, version 2 (PC/BIOS version)
 GRUB is a portable, powerful bootloader. This version of GRUB is based on a
 cleaner design than its predecessors, and provides the following new features:
 .
  - Scripting in grub.cfg using BASH-like syntax.
  - Support for modern partition maps such as GPT.
  - Modular generation of grub.cfg via update-grub. Packages providing GRUB
    add-ons can plug in their own script rules and trigger updates by invoking
    update-grub2.
  - VESA-based graphical mode with background image support and complete 24-bit
    color set.
  - Support for extended charsets. Users can write UTF-8 text to their menu
    entries.
 .
 This package contains a version of GRUB that has been built for use with
 traditional PC/BIOS architecture.
Homepage: http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/grub-2.en.html
Original-Maintainer: GRUB Maintainers <email address hidden>
randy@randy-desktop:~$ date
Sun Jul 25 21:44:43 CDT 2010

Running sudo dpkg --configure grub-pc hangs at the same place as sudo dpkg --configure -a

Please confirm the following.

Just to be sure, can you boot into both XP and Ubuntu now?
And the problem is not being able to update?
And you have XP in both drives? (OS, that is; what is XP home?, not interested in ntfs partitions)

Goh Lip,
Yes,Yes,Yes, and I don't know what XP home means but I think the Master IDE drive is the answer.

In reading :"
Sun Jul 25 19:09:53 CDT 2010
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#"
I became suspicious of device names. I added an external saita drive and a USB drive and the names changed. I added another USB drive and the names changed again. XP and Linux and even GRUB handle the name change without problem.

I just booted into both XP and Linux with an IDE master, IDE slave, saita, and two USB drives. Linux sees all the drives and XP sees all but the half of the IDE slave dedicated to Linux.

Grub finds/reports XP on the IDE slave. It is the same but much older XP as the IDE master. I would be happy to tell GRUB to ignore the XP on the slave IDE. I just don't know how.

Update cannot complete configuration of grub-pc.
"Observation: I believe that 9.10 used grub 1.97 and 10.04 uses 1.98

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo dpkg-query --status grub-pc
[sudo] password for randy:
Package: grub-pc
Status: install ok half-configured"

Sun Jul 25 21:44:43 CDT 2010

Running sudo dpkg --configure grub-pc hangs at the same place as sudo dpkg --configure -a

The problem first occurred with the first update following the installation of 10.04. Grub-pc was the first item to configure and dpkg can't get past this point. I think update manager did recognize a problem and indicate that not all portions of the upgrade could be installed. At least that is the current report when I try to run it.

Could there be a problem with the partition tables? Both XP and Linux seem capable of seeing all that they should be able to see.

Randy

You still have to do this:
sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

Goh Lip,

My results follow:

Randy
Script started on Mon 26 Jul 2010 08:48:56 AM CDT
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
[sudo] password for randy:
]0;randy@randy-desktop: sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x137c4121

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 60801 488384001 7 HPFS/NTFS

Disk /dev/sdb: 203.9 GB, 203928109056 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24792 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x2756f130

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 1 12748 102398278+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sdb2 12749 24792 96743430 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 12749 24297 92767311 83 Linux
/dev/sdb6 24298 24792 3976056 82 Linux swap / Solaris
randy@randy-desktop:~$ date
Mon Jul 26 08:54:04 CDT 2010
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get -f install
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get -f install
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo install --reinstall grub-pc
install: unrecognized option '--reinstall'
Try `install --help' for more information.
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get remove --purge grub-pc
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get remove --purge grub-pc
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
randy@randy-desktop:~$ exit
exit

Script done on Mon 26 Jul 2010 09:01:23 AM CDT

sudo apt-get install --reinstall grub-pc

NOT sudo install --reinstall grub-pc

randy@randy-desktop:~$ script grub/7-26-2
Script started, file is grub/7-26-2
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
[sudo] password for randy:
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get install --reinstall grub-pc
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
randy@randy-desktop:~$ exit
exit
Script done, file is grub/7-26-2
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get -f install --reinstall grub-pc
[sudo] password for randy:
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.

So please do what computer message tell you... open a terminal and type:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

Marco Braida,
This command starts to configure grub-pc then hangs with a message.
Closed terminal. Opened new terminal. Try again

randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
[sudo] password for randy:
randy@randy-desktop:~$ date
Mon Jul 26 12:48:50 CDT 2010
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get install --reinstall grub-pc
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
Setting up grub-pc (1.98-1ubuntu6) ...
debconf: DbDriver "config": /var/cache/debconf/config.dat is locked by another process: Resource temporarily unavailable
dpkg: error processing grub-pc (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
 grub-pc

The response after "Setting up grub-pc (1.98-1ubuntu6) ..." is new. Always before, including my first try after your message this was followed by painting the error message starting ""The GRUB boot loader was previously installed to a disk that is no longer present, or whose normally unique identifier has changed for some reason. ..."

Please reboot your pc. (the quick way to try to release /var/cache/debconf/config.dat is locked by another process )
and then retry:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

Hth

I rebooted, opened a terminal, and started a script to capture the
following: I confirmed that the lock was removed. Was pleasantly
surprised that the script captured the hung message.

Script started on Mon 26 Jul 2010 01:02:58 PM CDT
randy@randy-desktop:~$ date
Mon Jul 26 13:03:06 CDT 2010
randy@randy-desktop:~$ ls /var/lib/dpkg
alternatives cmethopt info statoverride status-old
available diversions lock statoverride-old triggers
available-old diversions-old parts status updates
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
[sudo] password for randy:
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo ls /var/lib/dpkg
alternatives cmethopt info statoverride-old triggers
available diversions parts status updates
available-old diversions-old statoverride status-old
randy@randy-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get install --reinstall grub-pc

Reading package lists... 0%

Reading package lists... 0%

Reading package lists... 6%

Reading package lists... Done

Building dependency tree... 0%

Building dependency tree... 0%

Building dependency tree... 50%

Building dependency tree... 50%

Building dependency tree... 77%

Building dependency tree

Reading state information... 0%

Reading state information... 0%

Reading state information... Done

The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libgssrpc4 gccxml libicu-dev
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 reinstalled, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
1 not fully installed or removed.
After this operation, 0B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y

Setting up grub-pc (1.98-1ubuntu6) ...

(BPackage configuration┌──────────────────────────┤ Configuring grub-pc ├──────────────────────────┐│ │ (B│ The GRUB boot loader was previously installed to a disk that is no │ (B│ longer present, or whose normally unique identifier has changed for some │ (B│ reason. It is important to make sure that the installed GRUB stays in │ (B│ sync with other components such as grub.cfg or with newer Linux images │ (B│ it will have to load, and so you should check again to make sure that │ (B│ GRUB is installed to the appropriate boot devices. │ (B│ │ (B│ If you're unsure which drive is designated as boot drive by your BIOS, │ (B│ it is often a good idea to install GRUB to all of them. │ (B│ │ (B│ Note: It is possible to install GRUB to partition boot records as well. │ (B│ However, this forces GRUB to use the blocklist mechanism, which makes it │ (B│ less reliable, and therefore is not recommended. │ (B│

I did do this" Please reboot your pc. (the quick way to try to release /var/cache/debconf/config.dat is locked by another process )
and then retry:

sudo dpkg --configure -a"

It tried to setup grub-pc then hung when it tried to configure it.

Thank you for your patience.
Randy

Observations from the following extract from /var/cache/debconf/config.dat:
/dev/sdb2 (0 MB) should be ~100 MB *** sdb2 is E:drive for XP not used by linux
FAILED_DEVICES = /dev/sdb2 /dev/sdb6 *** sdb6 is linux swap partition
********
The following extracted from /var/cache/debconf/config.dat:
********
Name: grub-pc/install_devices
Template: grub-pc/install_devices
Value: /dev/disk/by-id/ata-MAXTOR_STM3500630A_9QG6MSVB, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-MAXTOR_STM3500630A_9QG6MSVB-part1, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-Maxtor_6L200P0_L439HVSG, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-Maxtor_6L200P0_L439HVSG-part5
Owners: grub-pc
Flags: seen
Variables:
 CHOICES = /dev/sda (500107 MB\, MAXTOR_STM3500630A), - /dev/sda1 (500105 MB), /dev/sdb (203928 MB\, Maxtor_6L200P0), - /dev/sdb1 (104855 MB), - /dev/sdb2 (0 MB), - /dev/sdb5 (94993 MB), - /dev/sdb6 (4071 MB)
 RAW_CHOICES = /dev/disk/by-id/ata-MAXTOR_STM3500630A_9QG6MSVB, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-MAXTOR_STM3500630A_9QG6MSVB-part1, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-Maxtor_6L200P0_L439HVSG, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-Maxtor_6L200P0_L439HVSG-part1, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-Maxtor_6L200P0_L439HVSG-part2, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-Maxtor_6L200P0_L439HVSG-part5, /dev/disk/by-id/ata-Maxtor_6L200P0_L439HVSG-part6

Name: grub-pc/install_devices_disks_changed
Template: grub-pc/install_devices_disks_changed
Owners: grub-pc

Name: grub-pc/install_devices_empty
Template: grub-pc/install_devices_empty
Value: false
Owners: grub-pc

Name: grub-pc/install_devices_failed
Template: grub-pc/install_devices_failed
Value: false
Owners: grub-pc
Variables:
 FAILED_DEVICES = /dev/sdb2 /dev/sdb6

Name: grub-pc/kopt_extracted
Template: grub-pc/kopt_extracted
Owners: grub-pc

Name: grub-pc/partition_description
Template: grub-pc/partition_description
Owners: grub-pc
Variables:
 DEVICE = /dev/sdb6
 SIZE = 4071

Name: grub-pc/postrm_purge_boot_grub
Template: grub-pc/postrm_purge_boot_grub
Owners: grub-pc

Name: grub-pc/timeout
Template: grub-pc/timeout
Value: 10
Owners: grub-pc

Name: grub/update_grub_changeprompt_threeway
Name: grub2/kfreebsd_cmdline
Template: grub2/kfreebsd_cmdline
Owners: grub-pc

Name: grub2/kfreebsd_cmdline_default
Template: grub2/kfreebsd_cmdline_default
Owners: grub-pc

Name: grub2/linux_cmdline
Template: grub2/linux_cmdline
Value:
Owners: grub-pc
Flags: seen

Name: grub2/linux_cmdline_default
Template: grub2/linux_cmdline_default
Value: quiet splash
Owners: grub-pc
Flags: seen
********
from fdisk
********
/dev/sdb2 12749 24792 96743430 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 12749 24297 92767311 83 Linux
/dev/sdb6 24298 24792 3976056 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Problem Solved!

Solution:
Boot to vmlinuz 2.6.32-22 Generic recovery
Select in order
  grub update -- finished
  dpkg repair -- get same grub msg but with menu of 4 devices
                 scroll w/arrow keys toggle * w/space bar to install or not
   chose dev/sda, dev/sdb, dev/sdb5 not XP Home Edition on dev/sda1
   enter to accept
  boot normal
sudo shutdown -r 1 -- to reboot

Run update manager -- check. 214 files downloaded upgrade to vmlinuz 2.6.32-24
reboot check xp ok, Ubuntu ok

Done

Thanks to Marco Braida and especially Goh Lip for all the time the spent on my behalf
It has been an education. I am thrilled to have the problem solved. I hope this can
help someone else.

Randy

On 07/27/2010 12:04 PM, Randy wrote:

You're welcome, Randy and good of you to post the solution through old
kernel recovery mode.

Take care.