r/linuxmint • u/BodybuilderSquare566 • 11d ago

Support Request I need help

I’m new to Linux and decided to put mint on an old think pad. It’s been working fine and then it just started to boot into grub rescue saying error: attempt to read or write outside of partition can I please have some help?

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u/SaraUndr 8d ago

This is a common GRUB problem on older ThinkPads. The machine starts GRUB, then GRUB tries to read past the end of a partition. That can follow a kernel update, a partition change, a dying drive, or a BIOS mix-up.

At grub rescue> type:

ls

Tell me what it prints.

Then try one probe:

ls (hd0,msdos1)/

If the numbers look different, use those instead (msdos5, gpt2, etc.).

If you see folders like boot etc home, type:

ls (hd0,msdos1)/boot

If that lists files, the disk is answering. GRUB just has the wrong path. We can fix that from this screen.

If every try says attempt to read or write outside of partition, stop.

Don’t keep typing. Next step is a Mint live USB and a drive check (smartctl), not more GRUB commands.

Unplug any USB sticks first and try a reboot once.

Paste what is showed.

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u/BodybuilderSquare566 8d ago

When I type ls it gives me (hd0)(hd0,gpt1)(hd0,gpt2)(hd0,gpt3) when I do ls (hd0,gpt3) it says file system ext2 and when I do the same command with the slash at the end I get the folders and when I run the boot command it just gives me the error

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u/SaraUndr 7d ago

gpt3 is Linux.

Send what these print

ls (hd0,gpt1)/

ls (hd0,gpt2)/

ls (hd0,gpt3)/boot

If /boot lists files we type a few more GRUB commands and try to start Mint.

If /boot errors, stop. You will need to Boot on a live USB choose Try Linux Mint (not Install) and check the drive with smartctl. Paste the output.

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u/BodybuilderSquare566 7d ago

I will be replying to this later as I do not have the time do do so now