Ubuntu
grub2 package

'/user/sbin/grub-probe: error: failed to get canonical path for /cow' Got this error after rushing an install on my computer.

Asked by Theodore Klees

'/user/sbin/grub-probe: error: failed to get canonical path of /cow' I got this error after doing a sudo update-grub.

I have windows 7 on my internal hard drive and was installing Ubuntu 12.10 on my new external hard drive and made the

mistake of placeing my boot information on the external and not on the main drive so now my computer will not

dual boot into either operating system. sudo os-prober shows both drives are loaded just I screwed up my boot

sector on the main drive. Prompt I get when trying to boot is ,grub-rescue> and all commands at this prompt are

invalid but that may be just me on understanding valid commands for this prompt.

I can get to my files when I boot off of the CD. Its been over 10 years since I've done anything with linux and have never used ubuntu and want to try it.

Any help will be apreciated and I will continue to look for a solution.

Question information

Language:
Spanish (Argentina) Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu grub2 Edit question
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Solved by:
Theodore Klees
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Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

Did you install using Wubi, or did you do a proper install to the drive by booting to the liveCD / USB desktop?

Thanks

Revision history for this message
Theodore Klees (kleeste) said : 		#2

Booted to the live CD and did the install.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

Can you give the output of:

sudo update-grub; lsb_release -a; uname -a

Thanks

Revision history for this message
Theodore Klees (kleeste) said : 		#4

got error: failed to get canonical path of /cow No LSB modules are available then lists distributor and version information of Unbuntu.

Revision history for this message
N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#5

Try to use this program https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair#A2nd_option_:_install_Boot-Repair_in_Ubuntu

to correct grub bootloader.

Have the external drive attached while you attempt to run boot repair. Boot repair needs a live media of Ubuntu (CD/DVD/USB) , boot from live media and follow the instructions on the site I gave.

Thanks

Revision history for this message
Theodore Klees (kleeste) said : 		#6

Thank you it was very helpful and I now have dual boot only problem sda2 boots into Windows 7 and sda3 boots
st P
into Windows 7 without an option to boot anywhere on sdb drive for Ubuntu.

Little more information on external Hard Drive. It is a 500 GB Western Digital My Passport USB 3.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#7

Can you give the FULL output of the command I gave please.

Thanks

Revision history for this message
Theodore Klees (kleeste) said : 		#8

Try to use this program https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair#A2nd_option_:_install_Boot-Repair_in_Ubuntu

to correct grub bootloader.

Have the external drive attached while you attempt to run boot repair. Boot repair needs a live media of Ubuntu (CD/DVD/USB) , boot from live media and follow the instructions on the site I gave.

Thanks

This answer was given by NikTh

Revision history for this message
Theodore Klees (kleeste) said : 		#9

I thank all of you for helping me It is up and running last problem still has two boot for win 7 and is also booting under the external hard drive. Just need to work out some bugs on Ubuntu boot.

Again thank you.

Revision history for this message
N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#10

Hi , please re-edit the question and mark the answer that solved your question (for future - help - others with same problem).

Thanks