[SOLVED] dualboot grub not working after HD firmware upgrade

[LloydM]

I have a dualboot system with Ubuntu and Windows 7 (grub bootloader). I updated the firmware in my HD, and now grub doesn't work. After POST, instead of getting the menu of OS options, I get

"Non-system disk: press any key."

After pressing a key, I get the Windows 7 loader, with only a Windows 7 OS option. Windows 7 boots fine, but I have no way to boot into Ubuntu.

Is there any way to restore the grub loader without a reinstall of Ubuntu or Windows 7?

-Thanks, LloydM

[devils casper]

Which version of Ubuntu are you using?
Have you set Hard disk as First Boot Device in BIOS?

[LloydM]

I am using the latest version of Ubuntu (9.10).

HD is first boot device, CD is second, Removable third.

[devils casper]

Try to re-install GRUB.
Boot up from Ubuntu LiveCD and mount / partition of Ubuntu.
Let say, /dev/sda3 is / partition of Ubuntu.
Execute this in Terminal :

sudo mount /dev/sda3  /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
sudo umount /dev/sda3

Reboot machine and in case it doesn't work, post the output of sudo fdisk -l command here.

[devils casper]

Are you using Ubuntu LiveCD or Alternate Installation CD?

[Lostfarmer]

[QUOTE I updated the firmware in my HD][/QUOTE] Why ? How?

After pressing a key, I get the Windows 7 loader,

From reading your post it would seem you have 2 hdds, one with linux and the other with Win 7 ?

If you have a live linux cd can you mount and read the data on the linux partitions ?
post output from fdisk.

[devils casper]

I'm using the CD I burned from the 64-bit Ubuntu 9.10 ISO that I downloaded from the Ubuntu installer site.

Isn't it a LiveCD? Doesn't Machine boot up from it and show a Desktop?

Ubuntu 9.10 is using GRUB2 and you need Ubuntu LiveCD to re-install GRUB2. Other Boot Loader installers do not suppot GRUB2 yet.

[devils casper]

Its really easy to install GRUB2 using LiveCD only. Check post #4 in this thread and follow instructions to install GRUB2.

[LloydM]

Ubuntu Rescue Remix did the trick. It boots into a nice, simple text mode and the commands in post #4 (with my Linux partition device) worked. I now have the grub2 menu back.

Thanks devilscasper!

[devils casper]

Glad to help you !