[GRLUG] error: invalid arch independent ELF magic

[Eric Beversluis]

I'm getting more insight into why the Linux desktop isn't going to take
off like some people hope. I'm into my third day of trying to get Ubuntu
to work on my new Lenovo Thinkpad x120e.

First day was spend figuring out that the computer didn't like the USB2
cable to my DVD drive. Then when I finally got 10.04 installed, I
couldn't get anything but 1080x768 resolution, even tho the computer is
1360x768. After two days of bootlessly (no pun intended) trying to find
an answer--there are none out that that address this resolution problem
on this system and 10.04--I decided to try Ubuntu 11.04.

The install seemed to go fine. I told it to reformat sda1, which is
where I mount root, but not to reformat sda3, where I mount /home. The
resolution on the installation screens looked lovely. (This problem
solved?)

But when the installation completed and I tried to boot 11.04 I got this
strange screen:
   "Error: invalid arch independent ELF magic"
   "grub rescue>"

Again, searching around doesn't seem to help. Lots of detailed
instructions that (a) do not clearly apply to this situation (many
dealing with dual-boot situations); and (b) go well beyond the level of
technical understanding that I have or want to develop.

By the way, the 'live' version opens beautifully.

(When I Google 'ELF magic' it seems to be all about Santa Claus. I wish
Santa would give me a Linux distro that "just works.")


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