OK, you're close (I hope!). In the 2nd and 3rd commands, you gave "ls" which isn't correct. Check them carefully, and use that "tab completion" to help you fill them in. So...
grub> set root=(hd0,1) --- this first
grub> linux vmlinuz-4.4.0-47-generic root=/dev/sda1 ---command is linux, then a space
grub> initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-47-generic ---command is initrd, then a space
grub> boot ---then this
The article mentions another possibility if this fails, but see what happens with these commands. (Of course, don't copy my comments! LOL)
Think we can boot from the usb here? It is still in......
I don't think you have to do set root each time (unless you reboot).
I may have not copied/pasted correctly too... lets try this 2nd command again... remember that the command is "linux" now, and not "ls".
grub> linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-47-generic root=/dev/sda1
So I added /boot before vmlinuz.... but you should be able to type: linux /boot/vmli (and hit TAB), then put a space, and add the root= stuff at the end.
Ok, that gives me grub>
I think we might have it!! Ran through a whole bunch of stuff and now says to run fsck
Good! (I think!) It seems that it accepted the command. So the 3rd line is next, and the command you are giving is initrd... so like this:
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-47-generic (and like vmlinuz, you can TAB after typing /boot/init and it should complete for you).
I am up and running!! Now let's finish fixing this
sudo update-grub
sudo grub-install /dev/sda
Great! But you aren't quite out of the woods yet... this final step could fail, but I hope not.
Open up a terminal, and give this command:
Code:sudo update-grub
Give it your root password, and then you'll see a bunch of stuff scroll by again.
Then, one last command:
Code:sudo grub-install /dev/sda
Says:
Installing for i386 -pc platform.
Installation finished. No error reported
then gives a command line
OK. Say a little prayer, and reboot (or shutdown/restart... whatever you prefer). Good luck!!!!
Think I will save stuff first lol! I will let you know what happens
What? You think I'm a miracle worker?!?!?
I very glad it booted... that's great! But I'm still concerned about some of the stuff going on with it, like if you are frequently needing to run fsck. And if you are able to boot on a USB or not... and even the DVD drive too. I do think you should make backups often for things that are really important, just in case it decides to quit for good.
You can try to boot on the USB, but I'm guessing that it won't (or else it would have earlier)
If it doesn't boot on it by itself, you can do the "hold the ESC key" thing and see if the USB shows up in that boot menu, and boot on it like that if it shows up. If you want to always be able to boot on USB, you'll have to make a change in the BIOS to put the USB 1st in the boot order. I'm sure the setting is in there, but might take a bit to find and set it and save it.