Arch Linux

ruy

Member

Registered: 2020-07-23

Posts: 7

GRUB issue

Hello, I did a new installation in my notebook (Compaq Presario 21 from 2013). I have some problems with the GRUB during the installation, but as I need to leave and go out, I finish the installation and reboot. My idea was use grub-update in the next boot, but that never happend.

The issue is that when I reboot my computer to finish the installation (X11, i3, and other software), the screen show me:

GRUB loading.
Welcome to GRUB!

error:unknown filesystem.
Entering rescue mode...

grub rescue>

So I was looking for a solution.

But all the partitions show me the same message: "Filesystem is unknown.", even when I use commands. For example:

...
grub rescue> ls
grub rescue> (hd0)     (hd0,gpt4)     (hd0,gpt3)     (hd0,gpt2)     (hd0,gpt1)
grub rescue> ls (hd0,gpt1) /
(hd0,gpt1) : Filesystem is unknown.
grub rescue> set
cmdpath='(hd0)'
prefix='(hd0,gpt1)'/grub
root='hd0,gpt1'
grub rescue> ls (hd0,gpt1)/grub
error: unknown filesystem.

I tried a lot of cominations, like use set prefix, and then insmod normal. But still getting "unknown filesystem".

As is a clean installation, I only want to bypass the grub rescue and reinstall the OS, but I can't do it.

Additional information:

1. The disk have 4 partitions (boot, root, home, swap).
2. I use the command:

grub-install --target=i386-pc /dev/sda

3. The pc has installed Windows 8 with boot secure, but I erase it.
4. I have a desktop pc with Arch, with 2 hard disk and UEFI. I did a bootable USB stick with dd command but I don´t work to start the notebook.
5. When I go to boot options (F10) and choose the USB to boot, I get a screen with "GRUB _", that's all.
6. I have like 6 years of experience with Arch, I install it in several computers and I never had this issue.

Thank you.

Ruy

Scimmia

Fellow

Registered: 2012-09-01

Posts: 13,694

Re: GRUB issue

What filesystems did you use and where? Why a separate /boot partition?

Head_on_a_Stick

Member

From: The Wirral

Registered: 2014-02-20

Posts: 8,999

Website

Re: GRUB issue

I have some problems with the GRUB during the installation

What were those problems, exactly?

I did a bootable USB stick with dd command but I don´t work to start the notebook.

So how did you perform the installation originally then?

---

Jin, Jîyan, Azadî

d.ALT

Member

Registered: 2019-05-10

Posts: 958

Re: GRUB issue

But all the partitions show me the same message: "Filesystem is unknown.", even when I use commands. For example:

grub rescue> ls (hd0,gpt1) /
(hd0,gpt1) : Filesystem is unknown.

probe --driver (hd0,gpt1)

probe --fs (hd0,gpt1)

---

<49,17,III,I>    Fama di loro il mondo esser non lassa;
<50,17,III,I>    misericordia e giustizia li sdegna:
<51,17,III,I>    non ragioniam di lor, ma guarda e passa.

webcapcha

Member

Registered: 2019-02-14

Posts: 162

Re: GRUB issue

What filesystems did you use and where? Why a separate /boot partition?

I also have separate partition for /boot. Is it recommended to not have separate partition and place boot directory on /?

---

Ukrainian

Scimmia

Fellow

Registered: 2012-09-01

Posts: 13,694

Re: GRUB issue

What filesystems did you use and where? Why a separate /boot partition?

I also have separate partition for /boot. Is it recommended to not have separate partition and place boot directory on /?

It makes sense in some cases, not on others. For BIOS/CSM booting without encryption and using a normal filesystem for /, there's no reason to. I asked to see if there was more going on here than we could see.

ruy

Member

Registered: 2020-07-23

Posts: 7

Re: GRUB issue

Hello guys, thanks for the fast answers.

What filesystems did you use and where? Why a separate /boot partition?

1. I use this partition table and formats:

boot: FAT32
root: ext4
home: ext4
swap: swap linux format

2. Because I read it in the installation guide and I used this partition in the past with another notebooks (with BIOS).

What were those problems, exactly?
...
So how did you perform the installation originally then?

1. I didn´t took notes about it, but was something like GRUB didn´t found a partition. Sorry, I can't be more specific.

2. Originally, I did a booteable USB with Rufus in Windows 8. After that I did a new USB with the dd command in Arch (desktop computer) since the Windows disk was erased.

probe --driver (hd0,gpt1)

probe --fs (hd0,gpt1)

Both commands show me: "Unknown command".

Thanks you.

Ruy

d.ALT

Member

Registered: 2019-05-10

Posts: 958

Re: GRUB issue

probe --driver (hd0,gpt1)

probe --fs (hd0,gpt1)

Both commands show me: "Unknown command".

Sorry, my bad: I just see you're on GRUB's rescue mode...
Try entering into normal mode and then check if GRUB's probe gives you expected results.

\\\

2. I use the command:

grub-install --target=i386-pc /dev/sda

You're installing "BIOS" GRUB on an UEFI-capable machine.
Is CSM actually enabled?

---

<49,17,III,I>    Fama di loro il mondo esser non lassa;
<50,17,III,I>    misericordia e giustizia li sdegna:
<51,17,III,I>    non ragioniam di lor, ma guarda e passa.

ruy

Member

Registered: 2020-07-23

Posts: 7

Re: GRUB issue

Hello d.ALT.

1. I try to do it when I reboot for first time, searching in the forum I found this solution. But it doesn't work. I get the message: "Filesystem is unknown."

2. Yes, it is enable.

Thank you.

Ruy