Install grub on a USB hard disk (not disk on key)

zvivered · 07-22-2009, 03:10 PM

My embedded target is PC104 with Pentium-M.
The host is running RHEL.
I built grub from scratch on the host with a toolchain built using Kegel's crosstool.
The host "sees" the USB disk as /dev/hsdb1
But when I entered: grub-intall /dev/hsdb1, the installation failed.
What is the reason for this ? Even DOS can be installed on a bootable USB disk.

I also tried to run mke2fs on the USB hard disk. I got "command not found" error. I searched for mke2fs in all folders.

Thanks.

syg00 · 07-22-2009, 05:20 PM

I would doubt RHEL sees disks by that name. Presuming that should be /dev/sdb1, that is a partition, not the disk itself - which would be "/dev/sdb".
With systems like that I prefer to work as root - saves pathing issues. Else use the following

Code:

/sbin/fdisk -l
/sbin/mke2fs <partition-designator>

zvivered · 07-22-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

I would doubt RHEL sees disks by that name. Presuming that should be /dev/sdb1, that is a partition, not the disk itself - which would be "/dev/sdb".
With systems like that I prefer to work as root - saves pathing issues. Else use the following

Code:

/sbin/fdisk -l
/sbin/mke2fs <partition-designator>

What is the next step ?
grub-install <partition-designator> ?
Thanks !

syg00 · 07-22-2009, 09:08 PM

Depends what you're trying to do. If you want that disk to be bootable, you'll need to install in the MBR of the device, not the boot sector record of the partition.
Whatever guide you are following should detail what's required.

zvivered · 07-22-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

Depends what you're trying to do. If you want that disk to be bootable, you'll need to install in the MBR of the device, not the boot sector record of the partition.
Whatever guide you are following should detail what's required.

I want to create a partition on the disk , format it with ext2, make it bootable and then install grub on it. what is the sequence for doing it ?