grub option screen not available

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snowy

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Hi

On my dual boot Windows 8.1/Linux Mint 17.1 laptop I have suddenly been presented with no
grub option screen when I boot up, it just boots straight into windows.

I have tried 'shift' and 'esc' but no luck :confused:.

I have googled the problem but there is numerous articles but with conflicting solutions
and not sure what to do.

If anyone can help or advise I would appreciate it

Regards

Snowy
 
Hi
First let me apologise for the slow response, I was away for a few days.

@MickZA....thanks for the link, I made an iso of 'super_grub2_disk_hybrid_2.02s4.iso' successfully but,
(and there's always a but!) when I try to run it at boot, Windows starts first. My boot order is CD/DVD, USB, HDD
my 'Secure Boot' is disabled but(there's that but again) with the iso IN the drive and I go to UEFI settings, I can
enter and change all my UEFI boot options & settings and then suddenly a grub screen appears with various options
(note: no EVERTHING option as per the link) after selecting an option I think was correct I then get all the
Linux,Ubuntu O/S and through that grub menu I can access my Linux Desktop/Terminal and enter all the details as
per the link and it seems to complete successfully.
I shut-down and restart as normal but still no Grub Option, just straight into Windows again.
I have taken a snap shot of the menu's and as soon as I find out how to send screenshots I will send for you to see.

@oldhat...thanks but no luck that way either

Cheers
 
Hi MickZA

I managed to get access again using the above method and I checked the GRUB_TIMEOUT value
and it's 10, that's as it was originally.
I haven't made any changes


Cheers
 
MickZA

Ok I will try that option and see how it goes, I just hope that the original disk I used
boots up ok otherwise I have more problems.

Thanks for your help so far

Cheers
 
MickZA

A quick question to clarify to prevent a mistake.
I am about to make the required changes as per the link you gave me
but it refers to the Linux Mint Partition!!

2. Look at the list of partitons and see what one is the Linux Mint partiton.You can tell this by looking at the Mount Points of the partitons. You should see one with a "/" under Mount Point and its File system will likely be EXT4. When you have located this partition look to the left and see what it is called. For example mine is called dev/sda6 (yours may be something different like dev/sda1 etc)Now that you know what partition is the Linux Mint partition, just leave gparted open so you can look back at it again incase you forget. Now open up a Terminal by clicking the Mint menu then clicking "Terminal" under System.
Now we need to mount the Linux Mint partition so that we are able to use it (access it) . To do this copy and paste this code into the terminal sudo mount /dev/sdXY /mnt
You will need to change the XY part of the code to match the name of your Linux Mint partition. For example my mint partition is dev/sda6 so i would change the code to - sudo mount /dev/sda6 /mnt

Being quite new to Linux I dont want to make a mistake but I think / is the root partition they are referring to, am I correct
I have 3 partitions.
Partition 7 = 31GB Ext4 /dev/sda7 /filesystem root
Partition 8 =212GB Ext 4 /dev/sda8 /home
Partition 9 = 1.0GB Swap /dev/sda9 swap

Would you be so kind as to confirm which one I need to use (I think it's the root on 31GB but I need to be sure
I will not proceed until I hear from you
Thanks a million.

Cheers
 
snowy said:
Being quite new to Linux I dont want to make a mistake but I think / is the root partition they are referring to, am I correct
I have 3 partitions.
Partition 7 = 31GB Ext4 /dev/sda7 /filesystem root
Partition 8 =212GB Ext 4 /dev/sda8 /home
Partition 9 = 1.0GB Swap /dev/sda9 swap
Click to expand...
Quite correct, "Partition 7 = 31GB Ext4 /dev/sda7 /filesystem root" is what you want.

... holding thumbs :)
 
Hi MickZA
No Luck I'm afraid, this is the log I tried twice

mint@mint ~ $ sudo mount/dev/sda7 /mnt
sudo: mount/dev/sda7: command not found
mint@mint ~ $ sudo mount /dev/sda7 /mnt
mount: /dev/sda7 already mounted or /mnt busy
mount: according to mtab, /dev/sda7 is already mounted on /mnt
mint@mint ~ $ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda
grub-probe: error: failed to get canonical path of `/cow'.
Installing for i386-pc platform.
grub-install.real: warning: this GPT partition label contains no BIOS Boot Partition; embedding won't be possible.
grub-install.real: warning: Embedding is not possible. GRUB can only be installed in this setup by using blocklists. However, blocklists are UNRELIABLE and their use is discouraged..
grub-install.real: error: will not proceed with blocklists.
mint@mint ~ $ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt/ /dev/sda
grub-probe: error: failed to get canonical path of `/cow'.
Installing for i386-pc platform.
grub-install.real: warning: this GPT partition label contains no BIOS Boot Partition; embedding won't be possible.
grub-install.real: warning: Embedding is not possible. GRUB can only be installed in this setup by using blocklists. However, blocklists are UNRELIABLE and their use is discouraged..
grub-install.real: error: will not proceed with blocklists.
mint@mint ~ $

Looks like I will have to reinstall completely

Cheers
 
The reference to a GPT partition would seem to indicate that you've got a UEFI grub setup :(

UEFI grub problems can be a swine to sort on Fedora/CentOS and I suspect the same holds true for Mint, read more here - https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/2191

A reinstall whilst retaining your /home partition (don't format it) is probably your best bet.
 
Hi MickZA
I have read the tutorial so far and I have decided that it is a bit above me to go that route but thanks for that anyway.
I think a reinstall might be the answer, fortunately, with some manoeuvring I can get in to my original installation
and save all the files I need before a new install also a lot of deb exe files I kept,
Not totally sure what you mean by save my /home partition...correct me if I'm wrong but do you mean when I start the
new installation all my old partitions will still be present /root, home & swap as post#10. in the partition manager. I was
under the impression when I click on 'something else' as my installation choice I would go to the 'Partition Manager'
and have to start from scratch, and everything would be overwritten, so I guess you mean format the / and the swap, ie remove
the values in those partitions and re-enter new values even if they are the same as previous and leave the /home as it is, sorry to be so dumb!!.

When you stop laughing! Thanks

cheers
 
Not laughing, these things can be tricky if you're not doing it on regular basis :)

I'd advise backing up vital data before attempting a reinstall but the following guide should preserve the data in your /home filesystem:

I haven't used the Mint install partitioner before so I googled this guide - http://www.tecmint.com/install-linux-mint-17/

After booting skip points 4 thru 13 and start at Step 2 point 14. You'll be using the existing partitions so the numbering won't be the same but you should be familiar with your layout by now. Don't touch your windows NTFS partitions.

At point 21 (configure HOME partition) do not check the format box.

Deep breath, if you're happy with the partitioning steps hit Install Now at point 22 - you are now committed.

Create the same username you currently use at point 25 and away you go.

If unsure just ask ...
 
Hi MickZA

Ok I have just started to do the install and hit my first hurdle, I will try and explain very briefly and hopefully simply.

I selected partition /dev/sda7 (root) and selected to format and the 'Edit Partition' box says 'do not use this partition'
already in the choice /selection area, other options are :-
Ext4 journaling file system
Ext3 journaling file system
Ext2 file system
JFS journaling file system
Fat16 file system
Fat32 file system
Swap area
Reserved BIOS boot area
EFI Boot partition
Physical volume for encryption
Do not use this partition

Before I cock it up I need more advice!!

Hope you can help

I will await your reply

Thanks Cheers:confused:
 
Hi MickZA

Ok thanks
I didn't have these options when I first installed Mint, so they are new to me also.

#edit
I have just been reading the instructions again and this appears to be for installation as 'superuser'
and i have no reference to 'superuser' in my current attempt to install
 
Last edited:
Sorry for the delay, work gets in the way sometimes :)

partitioner.png

click on the slider for the options and select "Ext4 journaling file system"

(Ignore the partitions I'm playing with, just a test system to see what the Mint 17 install looks like)
 

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Shot in the dark but are you sure Windows Fastboot isn't enabled?
 
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