Hi, I have my partitions on my drive as one is Ubuntu 9.04 and Windows Vista (Only for my games). My Grub is on my Linux partition because of issues writing on MBR so Linux is default to load then Grub starts and can redirect to partition 2 (windows) or partition 1 Linux. I used "StartUp-Manager", I used it to put a password on the MBR, Grub and options and ever since I could not go on Windows, Linux is fine. It says "missing MBR" I put old settings back and same issue. I thought Using a Windows Boot disk and using Fix MBR but i think it will corrupt the grub.

I think that you are a bit confused about this stuff.

Issues? It's just writing a few bytes, there're not many things that could go wrong unless you are trying to install grub manually and you don't know how to do it. However, if you are into Ubuntu, I doubt that that's the case, since the installer should take care of this for you.

Here's where the confussion enlarges and I stop understanding what exactly are you saying. First, you are saying that grup has been installed in the linux partition, and not in the MBR, now you tell us that linux is the default. And that's impossible, it's a contradiction.

If grub is in the linux partition, then you definitely need another bootloader on the mbr, whatever Windows install or another grub, or anything else.

And in that case, the default OS would be whatever that other bootloader loads by default, the grub that lives in the linux partition will only take place *if* (and *after*) the primary boot loader calls it.

I definitely don't understand either why would you load windows from a grub that's been installed into your linux partition.

Just to clarify what I am saying: your pc will first look into the mbr, so that's the place where you should be installing your bootloader. Grub can load both linux and windows partition, so there's really no need to overcomplicate the things. Just put grub in the mbr and use it to load either linux or windows.

I have no idea what startup-manager is, I guess it's some kind of vista bootloader, no idea. But in any case, having two bootloaders, when one alone can do the same (and more) it's just an overkill, a way to complicate things, and something that will prevent you from getting clear support.

About the windows setup, it shouldn't touch anythign inside the linux partition, so at the current state of things if grub is really inside the linux partition (and you didn't confuse the thing) it shouldn't touch it. But it might perfectly ignore it and not provide you a way to boot it.

By the way, grub can also be protected with a password to forbid the edition of the boot options if that's what you mean.

Ok, I set the Linux partition to be primary boot then the bootloader is called where the partitions are called. The windows partition is chosen then I get a "MBR missing" prompt the "StartUp-Manager" is a tool in linux I use to protect the bootloader or change the look. If you go to http://maketecheasier.com/9-things-y...904/2009/04/22

the #1 is the tool I use to be more precise. My MBR is fine I think but the Windows partition does not know where to look for the partition I think. After I password protected the GRUB and MBR and options in grub I got the issues then I reverted to origional settings and same problem. I was on the windows partition a few days ago befoure the change so what should I do.

P.S. I had problem at 2:30 AM My time and was about fall a sleep so sorry about the bad grammer/problems I just wanted to geet it fixed and go to bed.

I am totally confused.....

What is on the MBR for the harddrive? (not on any partition). The drive will not boot if there is nothing in the MBR.

If you get a menu that allows you to boot the Windows partition, then you are not going to get an error saying "MBR Missing".

Please describe your system---in particular, the number and sizes of all hard drives, which drive is set to boot in the BIOS.

I am not going to study a new GUI to do something that can be easily done with nano or whatever editor you prefer by editing /boot/grub/grub.conf, it's been that way for years. Ubuntu and its anxiety to make the life "easier" only serves the purpose of complicating everything. My opinion anyway. Hiding the true nature of things is the best way not to find what you need to find.

Just to clear things up, what exactly is what doesn't work? Don't try to define with technical words, just let us know what are you trying to do in mundane words (i.e. boot windows or whatever) and in which way does it fail, and let us know what *does* work so we can contrast the things.

From what I infer, your problem is simply that, by selecting the right option from your bootloader, linux does boot, but windows does not (and it's windows then which produces that mbr error). Is that description accurate?

Or does it simply error out just after pressing the ON button without letting you boot *any* OS at all?

What I did yesterday....

Go to www.supergrubdisk.org/. Ignore new version 1.7. Download super_grub_disk_0.9797.iso & write to CD. Version 0.9797 can do ext4.

Boot SG CD. Read directions, be confused, try a couple boot repair sequences. Stop computer. Boot HDD, see Grub booted & offering to boot all four operating systems installed in this computer.

Normally my computers have three 20 GB partitions with Linux distros installed & empty partiton (C:\) for Windiz install. Super Grub CD or Grub CD has always restored booting of each installed O. S.. Adding Windiz in May (XP 32 & 64 Bit) has not defeated Super Grub repair process.

My computers offer BIOS password locks that are normally set to, 1 - only boot HDD, no other boot allowed, 2 - not allow BIOS access. Setting BIOS to require password before boot is also available, not used. My operating systems are set to require local console login to run. My password file is on my keyring. That is enough for me.

All that can be defeated by changing HDD in less than 3 minutes. Maybe you need to prevent physical access to computer?

ok, first my MBR boots to the linux partition on partition 1 then it goes to the bootloader, the bootloader next has can go to the linux part or windows. If windows then goes to the MBR and redirects to the windows partition then all is well. now will not boot?

tyson;
I asked you to describe your system---Please give us as much detail as possible...
How many hard drives
how many partitions
How exactly things were set up. eg what was the order of installation, and what boot code was put where?
This does not make sense....The MBR contains boot code, which can take you to a bootable partition---or to more boot code (GRUB calls this chainloading). What do you mean by "then it goes to the bootloader"?
I don't know what this means either---how would Windows go to the MBR?


If you can boot into Linux, I would advise you to simply install GRUB (to the MBR), and then setup a normal dual-boot. But tell us the current configuration first.

Please get rid of boot manager. You have a Linux distro & Windiz in 1 computer, right? So use GRUB only to boot either operating system. Life will be better.
People will understand what you are writing about so you get better answers. Super Grub disk will make it work, easy.

Password lock your BIOS so it only can boot HDD inside computer. Assign UIDs & passwords for each user on each operating system.
Your next step to better security then is a locking computer case, not adding some other boot manager. Just making boot fail does not add security.

Once you choose what to boot, your boot manager is gone from memory, same as GRUB dies. Boot manager does not add security after it lets you choose what to boot.

Windiz does not want to play nice, Bill Gatse wants to force you to use only Windiz. Playing with boot manager is playing Bill's game, you are supposed to lose & return to Windiz only. GRUB is grand unified boot manager. GRUB is designed to play well with all your O. S.s, including Windiz.
OK?

Eric Elliott you and pixellany get it I have 1 HDD 2 Partitons I installed second I did not want to install over the MBR with GRUB because windows will destroy the boot to windows and all will be lost so I reinstalled windows and put the GRUB on the linux partiton the MBR boots the linux partiton and goes to the GRUB then If windows then redirects to the windows partition. Should I use supergrubdisk to fix my problem or reinstall windows part. I can see the information on the drive in linux so I think If i reinstall the GRUB over my one now should fix problem or boot on XP install disc and go into CMD and use fixmbr. PLZ help!!!!!!!