getting error "GRUB Hard Disk Error"

kollolbiswas · Post by **kollolbiswas** » 2012/03/27 08:15:16

Hi,

I have installed Centos 5.2 on my local server where the partitions has been created on two hdd (sda and hde). There is another hdd (sdb) which contains few data. The third hdd was connected after installation and it was there connected till now. now on #fdisk -l I get the following.

[code]Disk /dev/hde: 40.0 GB, 40060403712 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4870 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hde1 * 1 25 200781 83 Linux
/dev/hde2 26 1330 10482412+ 83 Linux
/dev/hde3 1331 1852 4192965 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/hde4 1853 4870 24242085 5 Extended
/dev/hde5 1853 4870 24242053+ 83 Linux

Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 121601 976760001 83 Linux

Disk /dev/sdb: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 1 522 4192933+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sdb2 523 121601 972567067+ 83 Linux[/code][Moderator edit: Added [i]code[/i] tags to preserve formatting.]

Now I need the third hdd but if i remove that I get "GRUB hard Disk Error" whereas no system file is associated with sdb and it is not mounted at all.

Please suggest how I can get that third hdd without hampering my running system.

Regards,
Kollol

gerald_clark · Post by **gerald_clark** » 2012/03/27 13:24:39

Try changing the HD drive order in the BIOS.

r_hartman · Post by **r_hartman** » 2012/03/27 21:33:39

You may want to consider installing the current version (5.8) instead of ancient 5.2, which contains lots of bugs and security flaws that have been fixed since. By running ancient stuff you accept being vulnerable.

pschaff · Post by **pschaff** » 2012/03/27 22:06:48

You should be able to follow [url=http://wiki.centos.org/TipsAndTricks/ReinstallGRUB]How to re-install bootstrap code (GRUB)[/url] to make it work, but it is not clear why the problem is happening if the 3rd disk was not there during the original install. See also [url=http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/GrubInstallation]Grub Installation for CentOS 5 and 6[/url].

I endorse René's suggestion, but when updating from such an old release see the [url=http://wiki.centos.org/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS5.6]CentOS 5.6 Release Notes[/url] Section 4 for details on the recommended update procedure, and [url=http://wiki.centos.org/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS5.8]CentOS 5.8 Release Notes[/url] for other information.

kollolbiswas · Post by **kollolbiswas** » 2012/03/30 12:39:59

Hi,

I followed you instruction and the process was successful. However the issue is still there.

Now if I remove the 3rd HDD it shows

Error 21

Is there anything else I can try or I must upgrade the server?

regards,
Kollol

pschaff · Post by **pschaff** » 2012/03/30 17:35:50

Did you try reinstalling GRUB from rescue mode with the disk removed?

kollolbiswas · Post by **kollolbiswas** » 2012/03/31 08:40:12

Hi Phil,

yes tried that. Actually I tried two things,

1) I removed the 3rd one and tried

[code]#grub-install /dev/sda[/code]

grub-install was successful but at the booting got the same "Error 21"

2) Then I removed the other HDD and kept the hde HDD on which the "/" partition is mounted. and tried

[code]#grub-install /dev/hde[/code]

Then I attached the 2nd HDD and switched on but the situation remained same.

Thanks,
Kollol

pschaff · Post by **pschaff** » 2012/03/31 15:10:10

Hard to guess the source of the issue without being hands-on to debug. Best I can suggest is to try things in [url=http://wiki.centos.org/TipsAndTricks/TroubleshootGRUB]TipsAndTricks/TroubleshootGRUB[/url].

CentOS