GRUB in open SuSE can't recognize Fedora Core7

[Doodle]

I have 3 hard drives on my computer. Windows XP and open SuSE 10.2 is on the first hard drive

Windows is on ( hd0,0) and open SuSE 10.2 is on (hd0,4)

Mandriva and Fedora are on the third drive.
Mandriva is on (hd2,6)
Fedora is on (hd2,4)

You might wonder about the second hard drive. It is empty. I have not installed anything on it. I will install other Linux distros when time permits.
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I am using open SuSE 10.2 and it works fine.
This open SuSE 10.2 is my default operating system on the computer. I always use open SuSE 10.2 because all my bookmarks and documents are on open SuSE 10.2.

I can open Mandriva 2007, Windows XP and Fedora Core 7.
All of the above operating systems work fine.

I reinstalled Fedora Core 7 because of a minor problem.
Now GRUB does not recognize it.
So I can't open Fedora Core 7.

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The following is the entry for Fedora Core 7 in 'menu.lst' file in open SuSE 10.2.
The error message is 'File not found'

root (hd0,4)
configfile (hd2,4)/boot/grub/grub.conf
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After the reinstallation of Fedora Core7, GRUB can't recognize it. I installed it on the same partition.

I need your help. Because Fedora Core7 doesn't work. GRUB doesn't recognize it.
Here I am talking about GRUB in open SuSE 10.2
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The following is the entry for Mandriva 2007 in 'menu.lst' file
It works fine. My Mandriva is coming to the screen.

title Mandriva Linux 2007
kernel (hd2,6)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/hdd7 ro quiet
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I don't know the kernel file for Fedora Core7. I guess, if I remove the configfile and insert the kernel file for Fedora Core7, it
might help.

Ni@linux-3vxw:~> ls -l /boot/vmlinuz
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 28 2008-02-04 14:05 /boot/vmlinuz -> vmlinuz-2.6.18.8-0.8 -default
Ni@linux-3vxw:~>

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The name and disk location of the GRUB configuration file varies from system to system; for example, in openSUSE the file is stored in /boot/grub/menu.lst while Fedora uses /boot/grub/grub.conf.
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The following is the entire 'menu.lst' file in my open SuSE 10.2
menu.lst
# Modified by YaST2.
default 0
timeout 15
gfxmenu (hd0,4)/boot/message

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title openSUSE 10.2 - 2.6.18.8-0.8
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18.8-0.8-default root=/dev/hda5 vga=0x314 resume=/dev/hda7 splash=silent showopts elevator=
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.18.8-0.8-default

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe -- openSUSE 10.2 - 2.6.18.8-0.8
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18.8-0.8-default root=/dev/hda5 vga=normal showopts ide=nodma apm=off acpi=off noresume edd=off 3
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.18.8-0.8-default

### Here is Windows XP. I added manually on 30th of August 2007
title Windows XP
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader (hd0,0)+1

###The line for Fedora
title Fedora 7
root (hd0,4)
configfile (hd2,4)/boot/grub/grub.conf

###The line for Mandriva 2007 Linux
title Mandriva Linux 2007
kernel (hd2,6)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/hdd7 ro quiet
linux-3vxw:/boot/grub #



.................................................. .......................................
The following is all my hard drives as open SuSE 10.2 recognize them.
Password:
linux-3vxw:/home/Ni # fdisk -l

Disk /dev/hda: 200.0 GB, 200049647616 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24321 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 1 5874 47182873+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda2 5875 23891 144721552+ 5 Extended
/dev/hda5 5875 9138 26218048+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda6 9139 12402 26218048+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda7 12403 12794 3148708+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/hda8 12795 23891 89136621 83 Linux

Disk /dev/hdb: 200.0 GB, 200049647616 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 24321 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System

Disk /dev/hdd: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hdd1 1 60801 488384001 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/hdd5 1 3921 31495369+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdd6 3922 15021 89160718+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdd7 15022 18941 31487368+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdd8 18942 30046 89200881 83 Linux
/dev/hdd9 30047 33971 31527531 83 Linux
/dev/hdd10 * 33972 45071 89160718+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdd11 45072 48991 31487368+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdd12 48992 60100 89233011 83 Linux
/dev/hdd13 60101 60113 104391 83 Linux
/dev/hdd14 60114 60801 5526328+ 83 Linux
linux-3vxw:/home/Ni #

[ I have not installed any operating system on 'hdb' hard disk. Windows XP and open SuSE 10.2 are on 'hda' hard drive.
Fedora Core 7 is on 'hdd5'. The root folder of Fedora Core 7 is on 'hdd5'. The home folder is on 'hdd6'.

I installed Mandriva 2007 on 'hdd7'. It works fine. I can start Mandriva 2007 when I want.]

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

Where did you install GRUB of Fedora? Which distro's GRUB appear at startup?

[Doodle]

It is on open SuSE 10.2.
I am talking about GRUB in open SuSE 10.2
My default operating system is open SuSE 10.2.
I have installed Windows XP, Fedora Core 7 and Mandriva 2007.
Everything works fine until 3 or 4 days ago.

I made an error while creating gpg keys on Fedora Core 7.
So I reinstalled Fedora Core 7. I installed it on the same partition.
Now I can't start Fedora Core 7.

I can use other 3 operating systems. I can't get Fedora on to the screen.

[devils casper]

You have re-installed Fedora. Where did you install Fedora's GRUB?

[Doodle]

When installing Fedora, it gives you two options.

1. Install it on the MBR of the hda hard drive. It warned you any installation on the hda hard drive would erase existing GRUB configuration. It further said you would not be able to start all the programs you have placed on GRUB.

So I will be able to start only Fedora Core 7 if I install on the root hard drive.

Therefore I skipped it. If I can't open my existing system, I will be in big trouble.

2. Skip installing GRUB is the second alternative.
I selected second alternative. The installation was fine.


My computer works fine. All my important data is on the open SuSE 10.2 side of the computer. So I can't do anything to disturb the system. If I can't get the open SuSE 10.2 side to the screen, I will face serious problems. If you want I can reinstall again Fedora Core 7 again. The re-installation of Fedora Core 7 is not a tedious process. It will take about 45 minutes.

So I am forced skip installing GRUB on the master boot record during the Fedora Core 7 installation. The GRUB on the open SuSE 10.2 works fine. It resides on the MBR of the system.

By default, the installation program installs GRUB in the master boot record, or MBR, of the device for the root file system. I declined the installation of a new boot loader. I selected ' No boot loader installation'.

I think I did the same thing nearly 10 months ago when I installed Fedora Core7.

I profoundly appreciate your help.

[des varian]

linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot/Super-Grub-Disk-8071.shtml - 70k -

I had a similar problem with suse and Fedora using disk partitions on one hard drive - have you tried super grub - it fixed it for me - see link

[Jonathan183]

I'd suggest
Option A
you download the Supergrub CD and check it works (including finding the option to boot SUSE). Then install Fedora & let it install to the MBR. Then use SuperGrub to install Grub with the SUSE menu file.
If you struggle to find the right option in SuperGrub then just use SuperGrub to boot SUSE and re-install SUSE grub to the MBR using YAST.
That should put things back as they were before ...

Option B
If your feeling brave then you could just do a Fedora install, let it install grub to the MBR and then when the system starts .... at the grub menu press esc to exit menu, c for command line, type
root (hd0,4)
setup (hd0)
reboot

When you reboot you should then get the SUSE grub menu.

[devils casper]

By default, the installation program installs GRUB in the master boot record, or MBR, of the device for the root file system. I declined the installation of a new boot loader. I selected ' No boot loader installation'.

Thats why SuSe's GRUB is not booting up Fedora.
Either install Fedora's GRUB in boot sector of root partition or add correct entries in SuSe's GRUB.

First of all, try this easier way :
Boot up SuSe, mount / partition of Fedora and note down kernel ( vmlinuz ) and initrd filenames stored in /boot.
Add this in SuSe menu.lst

title Fedora
      root (hd2,4)
      kernel /<vmlinuz_filename> ro root=/dev/hdd5
      initrd  /<initrd_filename>

[Doodle]

I thank des , Jonathan and devils for the replies.

You have all made excellent comments to help me.

devils wrote the following:

kernel /<vmlinuz_filename> ro root=/dev/hdd5
initrd /<initrd_filename>

How do I find the 'filename' in Fedora Core 7?

I know how to find it in open SuSE 10.2.

As I can't get Fedora Core 7 to the screen, I don't know how to find them in Fedora Core 7. Do you want me to use those open SuSE's details?

I can go to YaST control center in open SuSE 10.2.

1. Clicked the icon 'System'

2. Then clicked the icon 'Partitioner'

3. I see the /dev/hdd5 partition where Fedora Core 7 resides.

4. I can get 'Device ID' , 'Device Path'

5. I can't find 'vmlinuz' or 'initrd' details there.


The following commands are to find to those details.
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Ni@linux-3vxw:~> ls -l /boot/vmlinuz
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 28 2008-02-04 14:05 /boot/vmlinuz -> vmlinuz-2.6.18.8-0.8 -default
Ni@linux-3vxw:~>




Ni@linux-3vxw:~> ls /boot
backup_mbr symsets-2.6.18.8-0.8-default.tar.gz
boot symtypes-2.6.18.8-0.8-default.gz
config-2.6.18.8-0.8-default symvers-2.6.18.8-0.8-default.gz
grub System.map-2.6.18.8-0.8-default
initrd vmlinux-2.6.18.8-0.8-default.gz
initrd-2.6.18.8-0.8-default vmlinuz
message vmlinuz-2.6.18.8-0.8-default
Ni@linux-3vxw:~>

[devils casper]

First of all, mount Fedora's Partition in SUSE.
Boot up SuSe, login as root and execute this

mkdir /media/fedora
mount -t ext3 /dev/hdd5 /media/fedora
ls /media/fedora/boot

Post output here.