Ubuntu 10.10 doesnot boot

[Tony Pursell]

On Sat, 2011-01-08 at 12:35 +0530, Kaushal Shriyan wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> 
> The error was as follows:
> ===================================
> mount: mounting /dev on /root/dev failed: No such file or directory
> mount: mounting /sys on /root/sys failed: No such file or directory
> mount: mounting /proc on /root/proc failed: No such file or directory
> Target Filesystem doesn't have /sbin/init.
> [20298638] usb 8-1.2: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and
> address 4
> No init found. Try passing init=bootarg.
> 
> BusyBox v1.15.3 (Ubuntu 1:1.15.3-1ubuntu5) built-in shell (ash)
> Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.
> (initramfs)_
> ===================================
> 
> Steps I tried:
> 1. Tried the recovery mode from grub. [failed]
> 2. Tried the lower version. [failed]
> 3. Tried the lower version's recovery mode. [failed]
> 4. Booted with live CD and tried to mount all partitions:
> The '/' partition, which is /dev/sda5, - I can't able to mount. Rest
> all partitions are okay, and so are the data.
> 
> So I tried repairing with the following command:
> sudo fsck /dev/sda5
> Now it complains as follows:
> fsck.ext4: device or resource busy while trying to open /dev/sda5
> 
> So I tried to unmount it with gparted as follows:
> gksudo gparted
> 
> It says the above partition is already in UNMOUNTED state. Also all
> partitions, except sda5, I can able to mount & unmount with out any
> problem.
> I'm stuck here. What to do next?
> 
> -----
> I tried reinstalling it, with out affecting my /home partition, where
> my data lies. But once I click on Install Ubuntu button, it's not even
> going to the next screen. It hangs there itself indefinitely!
> 
> But the data is safe on /home partition.
> 
> Can someone please help me in figuring and sorting it out?
> 
> Thanks & Regards
> 
> 
> 
> Kaushal

I cannot give you a solution, or even a diagnosis, of this problem, but
I can give you a bit of explanation.

At the start of the boot phase, Linux is loaded into memory together
with a file system in RAM (initramfs).  This RAM file system contains
enough drivers, etc to allow Linux to detect the hardware and mount the
file systems on the Hard Disc Drive, then transfer control to the system
on the HDD.

So all the problems are happening in the initial phase. The files
referred to would be in RAM not on the HDD.

What are you installing from?  A CD or a USB pen drive? Can you run a
'live' CD or USB session without installing from it?  Have you used the
option to check the installation medium?  I think the most likely
explanation is that your installation medium is corrupt or damaged.

Tony