Ubuntu

Unable to re-install Ubuntu

Asked by Steve Lake

I've accidentally screwed up my Ubuntu 8.04 installation while trying to install VMWare. Following the installation instructions at a support site (with minimal understanding of what instruction actually meant), I attempted to revert to a previous version of a package (sorry, can't remember which one but possibly the 'C' compiler) and think I've deleted the current package. This was followed by the Synaptic Package Manager deleting a very large number of other packages and now when I try to boot the machine I get a message about grub, followed an endlessly-looping memtest.

I've tried changing the CMOS settings to boot from the DVD drive into which I've inserted my Ubuntu DVD (as included in the 'Beginning Ubuntu Linux' book) but I can't get it to do this. I've also tried creating a bootable CD from the ISO image on this DVD and booting from that but again, it appears to be overlooked in the boot-up sequence.

What I actually get is the message...
"Grub Loading Stage 1.5."

If I press "escape" at this point I see a panel with a single entry ("Ubuntu 8.04.1, memtest86+")

Typing "e" to edit this, I see the 3 lines...
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+,bin
quiet

What can I do to get the machine to boot from the CD or otherwise re-install Ubuntu?

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tmc1961 (tmc1961) said : 		#1

Make sure the cmos keeps your changes to boot from cd/dvd
then boot to cd/dvd
If you get anything other than the Ubuntu menu, you are not booting from the cd/dvd
Burn a new ubuntu 8.4 iso image. make sure yo are closing the burn process and not leaving it oen as a multi burn

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Steve Lake (steffanllyn) said : 		#2

Thanks for the suggestion. The CMOS changes have definitely been saved but the problem seems to be that the existence of a grub boot loader on the HDD is preventing the cd/dvd from being involved at all in the boot sequence. The grub file, though is incomplete - containing only the 3 lines above - and so I get into the endless loop of memtest. I need some way of deleting the grub file; then (I hope!) the cd/dvd will be used to boot from. But how can I delete the grub file?

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Savvas Radevic (medigeek) said : 		#3

- Enter the BIOS (usually by pressing "Del" or "Delete" key at boot) and find somewhere where you can set the boot order. There you set your CD/DVD ROM drive as the FIRST booting device.
- Insert your Ubuntu Live CD.
- Save BIOS changes and Exit. It will reboot your machine.

In the event that this doesn't attempt to boot from the CD/DVD, try pressing F11 several times while booting, it should show a boot menu, where you choose your CD/DVD drive :)

It's clear that if memtest is the only thing left, you have to reinstall Ubuntu using the Live CD.

Can you help with this problem?

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