ubuntu: windows took over MBR and can't restore grub

eantoranz · 02-03-2006, 06:15 PM

I'm trying to restore grub after windows took over the MBR.

I'm using ubuntu-live to try to do it.

I just wait till it's completely up. Then I start a terminal. sudo su. I mount the HD's / on /mnt, then I chroot /mnt

I run grub-install /dev/hda and the output is:

Code:

the file /boot/grub/stage1 not read correctly.

What's going on?

PS By the way, before I ran grub-install I modified menu.lst to include a windows item. Could that be the problem?

ppuru · 02-03-2006, 06:28 PM

Try preparing a grub boot floppy by booting into the LiveCD. Boot into your ubuntu install and then run grub-install.

From the link below, start at "Preparing a GRUB floppy".

http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/4622

eantoranz · 02-03-2006, 07:05 PM

A floppy? You gotta be kidding me!!! (no pun intended)

I haven't used a floppy in years (literally) and I don't intend to do it now. The computer doesn't even have a floppy drive. :-)

There's gotta be a way to do it. Be it knoppix, ubuntu (live or install), or assembly (just kidding ;-)).

pixellany · 02-03-2006, 08:29 PM

Conventional wisdom says you install Windows first, but there are ways around it. One is a Boot CD mentioned here often: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
I have not tried this, but their description suggests it will solve your issue.
As far as your approach, the only thing that comes to mind is that permissions are not set correctly.