LinuxQuestions.org
Visit Jeremy's Blog.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - General
User Name
Password
Linux - General This Linux forum is for general Linux questions and discussion.
If it is Linux Related and doesn't seem to fit in any other forum then this is the place.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 10-25-2003, 12:38 PM   #1
newbix
Member
 
Registered: Oct 2002
Distribution: RedHat 9
Posts: 43

Rep: Reputation: 15
re-installing GRUB


Hi everyone,

I would like to find out the correct, safe way to re-install the GRUB boot loader. I already have a working redhat 9 system, and I've been using a commercial program (system commander) to handle booting into either my windoze XP or Redhat partition. However, I periodically have problems with system commander, and I would like to go back to GRUB.

What's the right way to re-install GRUB. I know there is a "grub-install" command, but I read the GNU webpage documentation which made it sound like this approach had a high likelihood of leaving my system in an unbootable state. I know too that I could re-install RH9 from scratch, and ask for the GRUB loader, but the installation program doesn't give me the option of just installing the loader, and instead I have to do a full upgrade of the system, which takes many hours and might override some of my current settings.

Being somewhat of a newbie I don't want to screw this up. Also I never had to know the devices for my different partitions with my current boot loader, but I suspect I'll need this info to re-install GRUB (unless there's a way to auto-detect the operating systems). Is there a simple way to find out where XP and RH9 sit (i.e. hda1 etc...) from within linux?

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have, and I thank you in advance.
 
Old 10-25-2003, 12:46 PM   #2
Skyline
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jun 2003
Distribution: Debian/other
Posts: 2,104

Rep: Reputation: 45
To find out the device names:

fdisk -l

(-l = small L)
 
Old 10-25-2003, 02:52 PM   #3
misophist
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: here
Distribution: suse 8.2
Posts: 169

Rep: Reputation: 30
Thank you Skyline. I never used that option before. Looks good.

Newbix: No doubt, red hat support knows what they're doing. However, I've used grub-install several times without harm and have seen it suggested half a dozen times. If it's that or a reinstall, try it.
 
Old 10-25-2003, 05:19 PM   #4
newbix
Member
 
Registered: Oct 2002
Distribution: RedHat 9
Posts: 43

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
Thanks Skyline and misophist,

I'll gather up my courage and try your suggestions before my next reboot. I'll post the outcome either way for reference.

Cheers.
 
Old 10-26-2003, 04:10 AM   #5
RickyJaff
Member
 
Registered: Oct 2003
Distribution: RedHaT, ELX, DragonLinux, Knoppix.
Posts: 89

Rep: Reputation: 15
But make boot floppy first...

don't worry just try
/grub-install /dev/hda

If this makes any problem .. ask here .. I ll tell u how to install grub without using "grub-intall" utility.
 
Old 10-26-2003, 03:14 PM   #6
newbix
Member
 
Registered: Oct 2002
Distribution: RedHat 9
Posts: 43

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
Hi Everyone,

and thanks RickyJaff for the suggestion about the boot diskette. Well, I took the plunge and there is only a small snag which I hope someone can help me with:

I did "grub-install /dev/hda", and rebooted and I do get the GRUB selection window with the choices:

2.4.20-6bigmem
2.4.20-6smp
DOS

Which is almost what I need. The problem is that I no longer get the option to log in under the plain "2.4.20-6" kernel, which is the one I've been using. So for example, if I log in under bigmem or smp, I can't bring up the X-window interface because I installed my NVIDIA drivers under 2.4.20-6. I could re-install the drivers, and I suppose anything else that needs to be updated, but I'd rather know why I don't see 2.4.20-6 as an option anymore, and if there's a way to fix that.

Please Help! Many thanks in advance!
 
Old 10-26-2003, 04:13 PM   #7
misophist
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: here
Distribution: suse 8.2
Posts: 169

Rep: Reputation: 30
I think you need an entry in /boot/grub/menu.lst. It should be OK to use the others for a model.
 
Old 10-26-2003, 06:14 PM   #8
newbix
Member
 
Registered: Oct 2002
Distribution: RedHat 9
Posts: 43

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
Talking Success!

Thanks misophist,

That did the trick! I modified /boot/grub/menu.lst as you suggested and I'm back in business.

And thanks again to Skyline and RickyJaff!

!
 
Old 10-27-2003, 12:50 AM   #9
RickyJaff
Member
 
Registered: Oct 2003
Distribution: RedHaT, ELX, DragonLinux, Knoppix.
Posts: 89

Rep: Reputation: 15
Well! we are here !!

Anytime!!
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
installing grub:( Alexander.s Linux - Software 3 06-04-2005 08:39 PM
Installing my own GRUB - HELP PLEASE!!! stevesk Linux - Software 2 12-17-2004 11:20 AM
Why grub prompt after installing Grub inder Debian woody 3.0r2? velan Debian 1 04-20-2004 04:55 AM
Re-installing XP with grub Rizla Linux - General 1 04-14-2004 07:43 AM
Installing Grub dark_light Linux - General 2 10-09-2002 07:25 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - General

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:49 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration