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I'm running Linux Mint 13 MATE 64-bit. Everything has been working for several weeks. Yesterday, when I tried to boot up my computer, after the BIOS screen flashes I reach a screen with a black background that reads at the top:

GNU GRUB version1.99-21ubuntu3.4

Then there is a box in which I can select from the following lines:

Linux Mint 13 MATE 64-bit, 3.2.0-31-generic (/dev/sdb2)

Linux Mint 13 MATE 64-bit, 3.2.0-31-generic (/dev/sdb2) -- recovery mode

Previous Linux versions

Memory test (memtest86+)

Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)

At the bottom it reads:

Use the ↑ and ↓ keys to select which entry is highlighed. Press enter to boot the selected OS, 'e' to edit the commands before booting or 'c' for a command-line.

I have no idea why it started doing this and, worse, I have no idea how to get out of here. No matter which option I select, I can't get it to boot the OS. If I select either of the first two, it reboots to splash the BIOS and then I'm right back where I started. If I choose "Previous Linux versions" I get essentially the same screen with only two choices (which are the same as the first two choices listed above, Linux 13 MATE and the recovery mode). Again, choosing either one of those results in a reboot. If I try to run either of the memtest options, it reads:

error: unknown command 'linux16',

Press any key to continue...

Then it brings me back to the same screen

Can anyone help me please?

Intel Core i5-2500 ASUS P8Z68-V LX Intel Motherboard G. Skill Ripjaws series F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL (4GB x2) Plextor 128GB M5S Series SSD

update:

If I press 'e' it reads as follows:

setparams 'Linux Mint 13 MATE 64-bit, 3.2.0-31-generic (/dev/sdb2)'

recordfail

gfxmode $linnux_gfx_mode

insmod part_gpt

insmod ext2

set root = 'hd1,gpt2)'

search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 249aaa9-029d-4599-b25d-92003c49e087

linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-31-generic root=UUID=2492aaa9-029d-4599-b25d-92003c49e087 ro \quiet splash $vt_handoff

initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-31-generic

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Linux Mint is off-topic, although it is a Ubuntu derivative. Please ask at Unix & Linux. – ObsessiveSSOℲ Oct 23 '12 at 23:18

closed as off topic by ObsessiveSSOℲ, Uri Herrera, belacqua, Tom Brossman, devav2 Oct 24 '12 at 8:38

Questions on Ask Ubuntu are expected to relate to Ubuntu within the scope defined in the FAQ. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about closed questions here.

1 Answer

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See this problem: Error when running memtest86+ or https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/memtest86+/+bug/883017

Both reference your problem.

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Thanks. Yes they do reference this. However, my issue isn't not being able to run the memtest. Rather, it's being able to boot up at all. As of now I am unable to boot into the OS and am stuck at that screen. – user92040 Oct 23 '12 at 23:28
Yes the second one might be your issue where someone switched their bios from sata to EFI boot and vice-versa and could no longer find their hard drive because they did not numerate the same way. I also had the same issue when I tried to boot with my USB stick plugged in. My bios would assign it sda and therefore not allow my computer to boot because my hard subsequently became sdb. There could be a number of issues that might cause what you are experiencing. – Frank Barcenas Oct 24 '12 at 3:32

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