Stuck in GNU GRUB load kernel first

Mor details, please!

What was the status before this happened the first time?
Did that system already successfully boot in the past, or is this a new installation that never worked?
Did you do some admin activities (like installing or upgrading software) before this happened the first time?

Which Ubuntu release are you using?
What make and model is the system?
What happens when you try booting from USB?
Can you access the BIOS setup or select a different boot device when switching on the computer; of if that is not possible, what exactly happens when you try?

I changed from Ubuntu 22.04 to Ubuntu mate. Booted 1 time I restarted PC
went to bash GRUB. It won't allow me to boot anything period. I try to set
root, root prefix to partition and tells me to load kernel 1st.

On Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 4:42 AM Manfred Hampl <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Manfred Hampl requested more information:
> Mor details, please!
>
> What was the status before this happened the first time?
> Did that system already successfully boot in the past, or is this a new
> installation that never worked?
> Did you do some admin activities (like installing or upgrading software)
> before this happened the first time?
>
> Which Ubuntu release are you using?
> What make and model is the system?
> What happens when you try booting from USB?
> Can you access the BIOS setup or select a different boot device when
> switching on the computer; of if that is not possible, what exactly happens
> when you try?
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

After setting root etc. you have to load the kernel.
Something like

insmod linux
linux /vmlinuz root=/dev/sda2
initrd /initrd.img
boot

(adapt the device names for you system!)

On Sat, Apr 29, 2023, 10:11 AM Manfred Hampl <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Manfred Hampl proposed the following answer:
> After setting root etc. you have to load the kernel.
> Something like
>
> insmod linux
> linux /vmlinuz root=/dev/sda2
> initrd /initrd.img
> boot
>
> (adapt the device names for you system!)
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
>
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438/+confirm?answer_id=2
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

On Sat, Apr 29, 2023, 7:41 PM michael <email address hidden>
wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> Status: Answered => Open
>
> You are still having a problem:
> On Sat, Apr 29, 2023, 10:11 AM Manfred Hampl <
> <email address hidden>> wrote:
>
> > Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
> >
> > Status: Open => Answered
> >
> > Manfred Hampl proposed the following answer:
> > After setting root etc. you have to load the kernel.
> > Something like
> >
> > insmod linux
> > linux /vmlinuz root=/dev/sda2
> > initrd /initrd.img
> > boot
> >
> > (adapt the device names for you system!)
> >
> > --
> > If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> > know that it is solved:
> >
> >
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438/+confirm?answer_id=2
> >
> > If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> > following page to enter your feedback:
> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
> >
> > You received this question notification because you asked the question.
> >
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

Is there a way to erase the partitions and just start over? I have bios set to boot the USB , but the GRUB I assume won't allow that to happen. I really need this fixed asap I do my school work on my laptop and haven't been able to in a week now

1. What happened when you tried loading the kernel (with commands like those given in comment #3)?

2. Is there a way to erase the partitions and just start over?
Yes of course: Download the ubuntu installer iso file and create a bootable USB stick with it (or burn a bootable DVD) and do a complete new installation of Ubuntu. During the installation dialogue you are asked where to install Ubuntu, and you can select overwriting the existing installation. Caution: all existing files get lost, If you want to keep some files, you have to create backup copies to another device first.

"I have bios set to boot the USB , but the GRUB I assume won't allow that to happen."

That is nonsense. The BIOS decides which device to boot before GRUB starts.
If Grub is already starting, then the BIOS has already decided to start GRUB.
You have to press a certain key (usually shown in text on the welcome screen with the computer manufacturer logo, very early after switching on the system) to select a different boot device than the default.

No it's not nonsense. I hit F10 on start up, scroll over to boot options.
Where OS boot, USB flash drive, network boot or CD DISC. YOU arrange them
to the order you want to boot in. USB IS FIRST, Boot OS IS LAST. Which in
turn means everything will try to boot before the os does. I have turn
secure boot off along with everything else except for USB still won't allow
it GRUB comes up everytime

On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 5:46 AM Manfred Hampl <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> Manfred Hampl proposed the following answer:
> "I have bios set to boot the USB , but the GRUB I assume won't allow
> that to happen."
>
> That is nonsense. The BIOS decides which device to boot before GRUB starts.
> If Grub is already starting, then the BIOS has already decided to start
> GRUB.
> You have to press a certain key (usually shown in text on the welcome
> screen with the computer manufacturer logo, very early after switching on
> the system) to select a different boot device than the default.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
>
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438/+confirm?answer_id=7
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

"USB IS FIRST, Boot OS IS LAST"

If this setting does not boot from the USB stick, then something is wrong with the USB stick.
How did you put the iso installer on it?

Without flash drive

On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 3:26 AM Manfred Hampl <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Manfred Hampl proposed the following answer:
> 1. What happened when you tried loading the kernel (with commands like
> those given in comment #3)?
>
> 2. Is there a way to erase the partitions and just start over?
> Yes of course: Download the ubuntu installer iso file and create a
> bootable USB stick with it (or burn a bootable DVD) and do a complete new
> installation of Ubuntu. During the installation dialogue you are asked
> where to install Ubuntu, and you can select overwriting the existing
> installation. Caution: all existing files get lost, If you want to keep
> some files, you have to create backup copies to another device first.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
>
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438/+confirm?answer_id=6
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

With flash drive

On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 6:56 AM Manfred Hampl <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Manfred Hampl requested more information:
> "USB IS FIRST, Boot OS IS LAST"
>
> If this setting does not boot from the USB stick, then something is wrong
> with the USB stick.
> How did you put the iso installer on it?
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

I am sorry, but I do not understand your last two comments. Did you want to add a screenshot? That is not possible.
Please check yourself on https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
If you want to add an image to a question document on Launchpad, then you have to upload it to some image hosting service on the web and put the link to the image into the question document.

I started out with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. I couldn't do sudo apt-get update so I
stuck my flash drive in and installed Ubuntu mate. It booted up I ran on it
for some time. Turned it off and tried to login later on that day and it's
been on the GRUB bash since then.

Yes USB boot is 1st on the list and os is last. I've tried secure boot on
and off. I've tried every combination I can. I have a hp g8 it's only a few
months old. When I'm in GNU bash GRUB for my hd0,2 file type when checking
shows just a blank line.

On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 7:26 AM michael <email address hidden>
wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> You gave more information on the question:
> With flash drive
>
> On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 6:56 AM Manfred Hampl <
> <email address hidden>> wrote:
>
> > Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
> >
> > Status: Open => Needs information
> >
> > Manfred Hampl requested more information:
> > "USB IS FIRST, Boot OS IS LAST"
> >
> > If this setting does not boot from the USB stick, then something is wrong
> > with the USB stick.
> > How did you put the iso installer on it?
> >
> > --
> > To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> > this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
> >
> > You received this question notification because you asked the question.
> >
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

I've unblocked the menu and submenu as well and it won't come up either.
I'm not sure what's going on. I've had Ubuntu on all my PCs in the past and
never an issue as this.

On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 7:38 AM Michael Morgan <email address hidden> wrote:

> I started out with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. I couldn't do sudo apt-get update so
> I stuck my flash drive in and installed Ubuntu mate. It booted up I ran on
> it for some time. Turned it off and tried to login later on that day and
> it's been on the GRUB bash since then.
>
> Yes USB boot is 1st on the list and os is last. I've tried secure boot on
> and off. I've tried every combination I can. I have a hp g8 it's only a few
> months old. When I'm in GNU bash GRUB for my hd0,2 file type when checking
> shows just a blank line.
>
> On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 7:26 AM michael <
> <email address hidden>> wrote:
>
>> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
>> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>>
>> You gave more information on the question:
>> With flash drive
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 6:56 AM Manfred Hampl <
>> <email address hidden>> wrote:
>>
>> > Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
>> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>> >
>> > Status: Open => Needs information
>> >
>> > Manfred Hampl requested more information:
>> > "USB IS FIRST, Boot OS IS LAST"
>> >
>> > If this setting does not boot from the USB stick, then something is
>> wrong
>> > with the USB stick.
>> > How did you put the iso installer on it?
>> >
>> > --
>> > To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
>> > this email or enter your reply at the following page:
>> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>> >
>> > You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>> >
>>
>> --
>> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>>
>

It's okay man. Thanks for your help. It's easier just to throw this laptop
away and go buy a new one. I do appreciate you trying to help.

On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 7:36 AM Manfred Hampl <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> Manfred Hampl posted a new comment:
> I am sorry, but I do not understand your last two comments. Did you want
> to add a screenshot? That is not possible.
> Please check yourself on
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
> If you want to add an image to a question document on Launchpad, then you
> have to upload it to some image hosting service on the web and put the link
> to the image into the question document.
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

The initial question was "load kernel first".

Have you tried the commands that I gave in comment #3 ?

I don't see comment #3

On Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 8:45 AM Manfred Hampl <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #706438 on grub2 in Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Manfred Hampl requested more information:
> The initial question was "load kernel first".
>
> Have you tried the commands that I gave in comment #3 ?
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+question/706438
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.
>

Thanks Manfred Hampl, that solved my question.