Does ubuntu version install a boot loader to the master boot record sector of the desired hard disk? Because i installed linux on my slave hard disk (master hard disk of mine has windows xp on it) and when i try to boot from that hard disk (linux) it says "error loading operating system" and i am getting the impression that linux didnt install a master boot record program in that hard disk.

Depends on how you did the install. If you do the install from the boot menu yes it does. if you do the installfrom the desktop then no it just writes it to the mbr of that disk. All you need to do is re-install it useing the installer at boot time. Unless of course you know how to edit the windows boot loader which I do not know how to do and would recommend against it. That could lead to bad juju that can be fixed, still a pain. Also check out the ultimate boot disk(google it) has some great tools for doing a bot loader. From what I read it sounded quit solid but requires a good song and dance to get set up. Still check out the cd it has alot of great tools on it.

as long as i am a total newbie at operating systems i have some questions so excuse me.

By boot menu i assume you mean the menu that comes on screen when i boot my pc with linux live cd. i simply entered the "use or install linux" section and installed from there. i guess i should have nothing to do with windows loader as i installed the linux on separate hard disk (hard disk, NOT just partition on single one).

as final question i will be clear and certain : if i have a formatted hard disk and want to install linux on it, do i have to make ANY arrangements (like creating a master boot record folder/program) before installing it from the live cd.

thx

No, when you did that ubuntu went to a desktop with an install icon on the desktop. Doing it that way does not invoke the grub install (an option i think connical forgot about.)

When the cd first starts a menu comes up with a 30 sec timer and gives you i think 4 options (Install / Run; Run in safe mode; OEM Install; boot first drive). Choose install to disk. At some point it should ask you if you want to load grub to the mbr (Master Boot Record) select yes and it should ask if you want it on the windows drive. That is where you want to put it on the windows drive. Doing the install this way is the text based way. Its been a short time since I installed it so forgive me If i forget a few steps.

Other option is to use linux mint (Irish made version of ubuntu). If you install that one from the desktop it will write grub to the main MBR automatically. I just recently installed version 3 on my pc and there is a gutys version of linux mint called daryna (versioin 4).

I think I covered it all, if not just keep posting and I will try to keep you informed.

If a clean harddrive is used linux will do it all for you. The only thing you need to set yourself is maybe the partion scheme. The defalts will surfice for a first timmer. Just make sure you select the correct drive for the install if you are dual booting (during the partion setup). For the most part all the defaults should work for a basic setup.

FYI: My config consists of three hardrives two 40 gig western digital for only windows and 1 20 gig seagate for linux. When I installed it grub was installed to the traditional c:\. I would also recomend at some point once you get used to the install process is set up a fat32 partion on a hard drive so that you can swap files between OSes, or have a thumbdrive handy just incase.

thx for information, so you say that if i choose "install to disk" (was it OEM install or exactly "install to disk" i dont remember. i have to look it up when i get back home tomorrow) it is for sure that it wants me to select a hard disk to install. not just installs to the bios primary disk. is it possible to install grub to that second hard disk, not the one that has windows? by "windows drive" i assume u mean the "hard disk" that has windows on it.

i got home now, you have said "choose install to disk" instead of installing from the desktop but there is nothing like that in the live cd menu. there are 7 choices (install/run, run in safe, oem install, install with driver update cd, boot from first hard disk, memory test, check cd for defects, rescue) and none of them works that way. in oem install it is the same with run/install choice. desktop comes in that choice. when i choose install from driver cd it says put the driver cd in. all i got is a downloaded iso image live cd and nothing else. i dont know what the hell driver update cd is.

PS: i just notice a screenshot in google search that usual main menu in ubuntu has "install to the hard disk" choice. my cd doesnt have that choice. where can i download that kind of a cd, apparently official website of ubuntu only privides live cds.

I was asking around work about this issue. The OEM install must have changed in 7.10, although I am not sure because my pc will not boot the 2.6.22 kernel. But what I found out is when you do the desktop install you should be asked about partioning. On that screen (from what I was told) there should be an advanced option, under that option should be a list / drop down list for where you want grub to install. I was further told that if you choose to install grub to the linux disk then you need to enter the boot option menu when you start your pc and select that drive and linux SHOULD boot. I have not personally tried that YET, it is worth a shot. Also do not forget to check out linux mint, it will by default set grub to the first hard disk so at boot time you will be asked wich os to boot, you only get about 3 to to seconds to make a selection but the option is there. Linux will be the default boot os at that point. If you want windows to be primary/ default all you need to do is edit grub, sounds easy but can not be sertain for I have not EVER edited grub.


P.S. The key combination for boot option at boot time will be listed at the bottom of the boot splash screen. Usually the OEM logo or if home built on the first screen that displays the hard drives just befor post starts. On my pc it is F11. Others are DEL. I hope this helps out. If not then I will continue to assist untill you have gone beyond my skill level.

I re installed today with manuel installation. This time i dont even get "error loading operating system" alert. Instead, i get nothing but a black blank screen. I did all the things right (10 GB ext3 partition with "/" mount and 2GB swap partition). You said linux would install grub on first hard disk. What exactly is "first"? is it my master hard disk, my primary hard disk or the one i choose to install. On advanced options about boot loader it said "install loader to this device: (hd0)" what is hd0? is it a sector in my hard disk that i want to install to? Or is it my other (master) hard disk?

This may help.

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

The good news is that provided you had a working copy of windows and didn't format the drive(this would be hard to do) you have a couple of options to get windows back. (The GRUB does not overwrite it) it exists before it if I am correct. If GRUB goes south for the winter you will need a windows xp cd boot to it. (you will need your administrator password if you entered one at first install.)

You will be looking for the recovery console it is one of the first two screens the letter to hit is <R> this will allow you to log in at a command prompt. The first command is fixmbr and then fixboot. These will rewrite the MBR murankar had a point this file is easy to configure with some examples but is equally easy to mess up.

I am looking for the grub manual online. You won't need it to do the install, but you are moving fairly early into territory that is very challenging. And this manual has answers to all of your questions.

The first drive is quite simply the one windows is installed on (hd0 IN MOST CASES). A safe option to completely isolate your windows install is to disconnect the drive and go on with your linux install. To pick which OS you would boot into, Go into your bios and select the drive to boot to and move it to the top of your list. This is ideal for beginners. You can configure grub from the gui and then write the bootloader after you have ubuntu up and running and are able to get used to it
http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/grub.html

hd0 means the first harddisk (its quantity inside your CPU). Try to install another distro if you get a problem ay ubuntu. i used to do it when my XP become unrecognized by linux distro, not only ubuntu. Hope will help you, thanks

Hi,
Where can i download nvidia driver for Ubuntu 7.10, can you get specifik link, because when i googling there is many type show, i'm very confuse

ty
Best Regards

Have you tried

System>>Administration>>Restricted Drivers Manager