Ubuntu GRUB Install giving me headache
 

Hi all,

I have just trashed my full install of windows vista with linux vmware and decided to use linux as my main OS and have a small partition of vista for my gaming.

So I have reinstalled vista as a 400GB slice and am using the rest of the disk (1TB samsung F1) for Ubuntu 9.04

I have set up the partitions using LVM as below:

When I try to install the OS using the install icon on the live CD desktop I go as far as installing all the packages etc etc. But the bootloader fails with a fatal error message.

I have tried using /dev/sda and sda still the same message appears

Any help on what I am doing wrong will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Executing 'grub-install (hd0)' failed

The same message appeared when you selected /dev/sda ??

Also did you select MBR while installing grub ?

I would make the boot partition ext2 or ext3 and not in a LVM physical volume. You don't need a separate physical volume for each partition. But you want the kernel and initrd file and the stage1.5 grub files in /boot to be accessible. The stage1.5 files are what is needed for grub to understand various filesystems. If grub can't read them, it won't be able to load the kernel and initrd file. The /boot partition does not need to be big. A 80-100MB partition would be plenty. It depends on whether you will keep old kernels around as they are updated. This makes it easy to use dd to backup the /boot partition as well, as a file.

You could try this instead:
NTFS
/boot
swap
/extended
LVM Volume

Since there are only 4 partitions, this would work as well:
NTFS
/boot
swap
LVM volume

Sorry for my ignorance but I am new to bootloaders

Can you explain what the correct command should be used or stated in the install front end

I have just been trying all sorts of ways to install this thing. The software install works (packages) but when it gets to the bootloader it falls in a heap everytime.

What do you mean by select MBR?

MBR is Master Boot Record

It's the main loader, you should rewrite MBR if you have another MBR already written (like windows')

There'll be an option to install grub on MBR or partition, choose MBR

It doesnt mention anything about the MBR only where to install grub under the advanced tab before installation takes place.

It defaults to (hd0) which fails. So I tried entering in /dev/sda and also fails.

So I am a little confused as to what I enter in.

I don't remember ubuntu setup, but i think there's an EDIT (or something similar) in the grub install screen (post-install configuration)

Look for it or try to describe the grub install screen (screenshot would've been great)

1) Partition screen. Note that mount points arent defined here
Attachment 1466

2) Submit the mount points using Edit Partition button at the bottom
Attachment 1467

3) All partition mount points defined, Hit the forward button
Attachment 1468

More pics to come...

4) Next page to enter user and password and system name
Attachment 1469

5) Optional screen to migrate windows files into Linux
Attachment 1470

6) Last screen with advance tab at the bottom of screen
Attachment 1471

Sorry pics didnt come out here... please ignore and go to next post

4) Next page to enter user and password and system name
Attachment 1473

5) Optional screen to migrate windows files into Linux
Attachment 1474

6) Last screen with advance tab at the bottom of screen
Attachment 1475

More pics to come...

7) Advance tab. If I expand the drop down for (hd0) it has all the partitions like in section 3 of my post
Attachment 1476

I hope this helps try to understand my situation

Grub and LVM do not get along.

Make a separate non LVM /boot

Oh really? OK I will just use a standard partition instead of LVM for /boot and try again.

Install now running... will keep you posted

Well I seem to have installed the OS now and it was working until I did an update of everything as it normally asks for upon a new build.

Now all I am getting is:

What on earth does that mean???