GRUB problem

Im trying out Ubuntu.
And I am also try to make a multi-boot for my computer.
I already have Vista and XP installed.
And I want Linux as my 3rd OS.
I setup Linux Ubuntu nicely until it comes to
GRUB installation.

It has a message of (thought this is not the exact wording) GRUB installation failed on hd0,5

This is my partition right now by the way.
/dev/sda1/ NTFS
/dev/sda2/ Ext'd (Logical partition)
unser /sda2 i have
/dev/sda5/ NTFS
/dev/sda6/ NTFS
/dev/sda7/ NTFS
/dev/sda8/ ext3 (for my Linux)

When my GUI based installation fails.
I tried the terminal route.

I typed the following commands.

sudo -i
grub
root (hd0,5)
setup (hd0)

It then returns the message:

Cannot Mount the selected partition.
I tried also (hd0,7)
also (hd0,1) and so forth but with the same message.

Please help.
Thanks and God bless.

Your Linux installation is on hd0,7. To install grub on the linux root partition, try

grub-install /dev/sda8

To install grub in the MBR, try

grub-install /dev/sda

Post back any error messages.

I'm curious as to why the Ubuntu installer attempted to put GRUB on hd0,5 (/dev/hda6) That is one of your NTFS partitions. When you were installing, do you recall what option you selected for the bootloader?

The easiest thing might be to simply re-install Ubuntu and tell the installer to put the bootloader (GRUB) on a floppy disk. You can also try running the grub shell from your liveCD, if you have one.

See the link below for more on booting.

Originally Posted by reddazz Your Linux installation is on hd0,7. To install grub on the linux root partition, try grub-install /dev/sda8 To install grub in the MBR, try grub-install /dev/sda Post back any error messages.

I tried your suggestions and it has the following message:

Could not find device for /boot: Not found or not a block device.

Thanks for your response by the way.

Originally Posted by pixellany I'm curious as to why the Ubuntu installer attempted to put GRUB on hd0,5 (/dev/hda6) That is one of your NTFS partitions. When you were installing, do you recall what option you selected for the bootloader? The easiest thing might be to simply re-install Ubuntu and tell the installer to put the bootloader (GRUB) on a floppy disk. You can also try running the grub shell from your liveCD, if you have one. See the link below for more on booting.

I just try out the different hda to check which one would work. Thus, i also try hd0, 5.

When i installed it (bootloader i.e. GRUB) i installed it at the / or the root.

I dont have a floppy drive by the way.

I also did try to run a grub shell. using sudo -l,
then grub command etc. but i could not make it work.

By the way how come does the Gpartheid (partition software)
detect my Vista OS on the extended drive not on the primary
drive as my XP does?

Any more suggestions?

Thank you for your help.

God bless.

When i installed it (bootloader i.e. GRUB) i installed it at the / or the root.

Not possible---GRUB is installed either in the MBR or in the bootsector of a partition. It is never installed in a directory.

I also did try to run a grub shell. using sudo -l, then grub command etc. but i could not make it work.

What happened?

Any more suggestions?

Same as before: Re-install Ubuntu. since you do not have a floppy, put GRUB on the MBR. (Assuming that you have a Winodws install CD to recover if necessary.) Or--get a floppy. They are cheap and--even though obsolete for most things, they REALLY can come in handy.

I just try out the different hda to check which one would work.

Really bad idea---anytime you start randomly installing something in different places, you are asking for trouble.