Grub error Loading stage1.5, error 21

mr.marcus · 2012-07-06 22:56:51

I get this grub error just after a fresh install of Arch. Dual booting Win7 & Arch.

/dev/sda1 100M Win7 *Boot*
/dev/sda2 238G Win7
/dev/sda3 200B /boot *Arch* *Boot*
/dev/sda5 30G /
/dev/sda6 205G /home
/dev/sda7 6G Swap

I know with other linux distro I've alway placed my boot flag on 100M Win7 partition. Guess since I have a /boot partition is a boot flag needed on both Windows & /boot? I've tried boot flag on just /boot partion and just 100M Win partition and I still get Grub loading, please wait Error 21 and blinking cursor. When I installed Arch I place grub on /sda.
I've been browsing the web but figured I'd ask. Thanks.

DSpider · 2012-07-06 23:56:02

You should set the boot flag on the /boot partition (/dev/sda3 in your case). Use either gparted or cfdisk.

When I installed Arch I place grub on /sda.

You need to install GRUB to /dev/sda, not "/sda". From the Arch install media run:

# mkdir /mnt/arch
# mount /dev/sda5 /mnt/arch
# cd /mnt/arch
# mount -t proc proc proc/
# mount -t sysfs sys sys/
# mount -o bind /dev dev/
# mount /dev/sda3 boot/
# chroot .
# grub-install /dev/sda

This will get you the "stage" files in /boot/grub. Alternatively, you can do this instead of the last line, since the alternate method from above is supposedly known to be less reliable (personally I have never had an issue with it, tho). If you still have problems, post your menu.lst.

PS: I'm sure there's an easier way using only the GRUB shell, but I'm not that familiar with GRUB Legacy anymore. I use Syslinux now. Check the wiki.

I am, however, 100% certain that the above method will work.

mr.marcus · 2012-07-07 23:10:51

Thanks for the help...Your suggestion hasn't worked so now I'm trying GRUB shell. If that doesn't work than I'm going to erase everything including Win7 and install Arch first than Win7. I tellya it takes time getting the perfect install...

progandy · 2012-07-08 01:18:03

Grub 2 does not need the boot flag, but Win7 didn't run when I removed it. So this is my setup, I'll have to reformat it soon since Windows did not run for half a year.

 1      1049kB  11,8GB  11,8GB  primary   ext3                        --> / *arch + boot*
 2      11,8GB  12,0GB  105MB   primary   ntfs            boot      --> Windows 7 boot
 3      12,0GB  138GB   126GB   primary   ntfs                         --> Windows 7
 5      138GB   479GB   341GB   logical   ntfs                           --> /home
 6      479GB   485GB   6144MB  logical   linux-swap(v1)         --> *swap, mainly for secure hibernate*
 7      485GB   500GB   15,3GB  logical   ext3                           --> /var

Last edited by progandy (2012-07-08 01:18:32)

mr.marcus · 2012-07-08 04:56:58

It's funny because I haven't ran Windows in about a year but like a dual boot for the wifey but even she has really gotten the 'ol linux bug. So I made the decision and wiped whole drive and installed Arch. Tomorrow Windows then I'm sure I will have to update grub to be able to boot to both. Side note do I uncomment Windows line in menu.list

DSpider · 2012-07-08 06:56:10

Your suggestion hasn't worked so now I'm trying GRUB shell.

It doesn't have to be the Arch install media, almost any "live" Linux distribution will work. Type it in exactly as you see it, right down to the last dot (eg. "chroot ."). And don't forget to set the boot flag with either gparted or cfdisk.

If you install Arch first and then Windows, Windows will take over the MBR. It's not a big deal. But you will have to redo the GRUB install. If you only need Windows from time to time (like I do), you may consider a VirtualBox or QEMU-KVM solution.

Last edited by DSpider (2012-07-08 13:31:19)

cumali · 2012-07-08 19:41:34

Try
http://archtr.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8#p11

Arch Linux

#1 2012-07-06 22:56:51

Grub error Loading stage1.5, error 21

#2 2012-07-06 23:56:02

Re: Grub error Loading stage1.5, error 21

#3 2012-07-07 23:10:51

Re: Grub error Loading stage1.5, error 21

#4 2012-07-08 01:18:03

Re: Grub error Loading stage1.5, error 21

#5 2012-07-08 04:56:58

Re: Grub error Loading stage1.5, error 21

#6 2012-07-08 06:56:10

Re: Grub error Loading stage1.5, error 21

#7 2012-07-08 19:41:34

Re: Grub error Loading stage1.5, error 21

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