The Boot Process Hangs with the Message 'GRUB Geom Error'

Support knowledgebase (fhassel_geom-error)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions since 8.1

Symptom

GRUB freezes during the boot process with the message 'GRUB Geom Error'.

Cause

There are several possible causes:
  1. The BIOS is not able to detect the full hard disk capacity. For example, in case of a 40 GB disk, it only detects the first 32 GB. However, Linux is installed on the last 8 GB.
  2. The computer BIOS is not able to address the hard disk area beyond the 1024 cylinder and the Linux boot partition (or the partition containing the kernel or other files needed for booting) is partially or totally located beyond the 1024 cylinder border. Although this problem usually arises in old computers only, it cannot be completely excluded in the case of new BIOS versions.
  3. The BIOS cannot boot from disks attached to the second IDE controller and this is precisely the case of the Linux disk. This problem is also very uncommon.
  4. The hard disk geometry set in the BIOS during the GRUB installation has been changed or the hard disk has been inserted in a different machine or controller after the installation.

Solution

For causes number one, two, and three, a BIOS update might be the answer, provided that the motherboard manufacturer supplies a current BIOS that solves this problem. Otherwise, the problem can be solved by creating a boot partition within the area addressable by the BIOS, i.e., whithin the hard disk area detected by the BIOS (first cause), within the first 1024 cylinders (second cause), or on a hard disk attached to the first IDE controller (third cause).

In the case of the third cause, the problem should be solved, if possible, by attaching the Linux hard disk to the first IDE controller. When doing this, note that the device names (/etc/fstab) change. Adjust these names and GRUB's configuration file with the rescue system or by reinstalling the Linux system.

For cause number four, rewrite the boot loader with YaST2's boot loader configuration dialog or by entering the following command in a root shell:

grub --batch --device-map=/boot/grub/device.map </etc/grub.conf
For further information on this problem, refer to GRUB's documentation. This documentation is available online at http://www.gnu.org/manual/grub/html_mono/grub.html#Stage1%20errors. It can be viewed on your system by entering the command info grub in a shell.


See also:
o The Boot Manager Grub

Keywords: GRUB, GEOM, ERROR, BOOT, BOOT LOADER, BOOT MANAGER

Categories: GRUB

SDB-fhassel_geom-error, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 03. Mar 2003
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 23. Jun 2003 by afaber (sdb_gen 1.40.0)