Logged out and snowed under

am having problems starting Ubuntu 9.1. I installed it (also Win XP) and everything was fine. While downloading updates I lost power and that is where everything went awry. I was prompted to install 'sude dpkg --configure-a' I have no idea what that is but now my Ubuntu won't boot up. I am now receiving the following message, Gnu Grub Version 1.97 Beta 4, Minimal BASH-likeediting is supported...press tabfor possible command... sh: grub

I have no idea what to do. Your help would be invaluable as I have created lots of data. BTW my windows wont start either, not that I want it to!

Neophyte awaiting rescue.

The only program that I can use now is PUP linux on CD!

In the grub commandline try this: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1390088#2

You have to know where Ubuntu is installed (root filesystem).

You have grub2 so use the commands as they are not the commented ones.

I tried the Http: command you sent but nothing happened. The prompt i get is: sh:grub>

Should I try to type in the command that the hyperlink points to? Is sh:grub the command line to start at? Sorry for the ineptitude but I am not familiar with any programming and I only have access to the Internet through PUP which I have to reboot when I want to access Ubuntu.

Yes you should click on the link and ignore all the commands that start with # they are just comments.

Make sure you write down the correct command, in firefox press control and + to make the characters bigger.

Could you write down any response you get after typing the commands?

Is it possible to determine what partition Ububtu and Windows reside as well as what kernel version one has?

OK. I tried but no luck. When I start up Ubuntu I am left with the following:

sh:grub>

I tried: find/boot/grub/menu.list and got something like bad command. Should the prompt be different? How or what do i need to change the prompt?

As far as I can understand and I again apologize for my complete lack of understanding, I need to type the following: ----------------------------------------------------------- find/boot/grub/menu.list

search /boot/grub/grub.conf

search (hd0,2)/boot/vmlin (press tab)

linux /boot/vmlinuz--2-generic root=/dev/sda3 ro single (???)

initrd (press tab)

search (hd0,2)/boot/init (press tab)

initrd /boot/initrd.img--2generic

boot -------------------------------------------------------

If this is correct then I need to find out how to find correct prompt? Why all the spacing between some of the commands, i.e., initrd /boot.....

My post nr4

Yes you should click on the link and ignore all the commands that start with # they are just comments.

Make sure you write down the correct command, in firefox press control and + to make the characters bigger.

Could you write down any response you get after typing the commands?

Could you try this:

search /boot/grub/grub.conf
#this could give you something like (hd0,2) use it for the next commands
root (hd0,2)
search (hd0,2)/boot/vmlin(press tab)
#this should give you a number of options of kernels to choose, choose one
#you need to know what partition your root system is on (what is / )
#you might guess /dev/sda2 means first disk, second partition
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-26-generic root=/dev/sda3 ro single
＃now choose initrd pressing tab will give you a list of what's in /boot
# use the same version number as kernel
search (hd0,2)/boot/init(press tab)
initrd        /boot/initrd.img-2.6.24-26-generic
boot