How to install GRUB in MBR?

concoran · 03-07-2008, 01:19 AM

XP in first partition.
Installed FC8 in second partition with GRUB in /dev/sda2.
As expected, I can't boot into Linux. But I tried taking first 512 bytes and putting those in boot.ini. That doesn't work.

Is there a way I can boot into linux rescue mode and install GRUB in MBR? I can take it from there.

vedang · 03-07-2008, 01:35 AM

Hi,

I your case there is no need to go to rescue mode.

#grub
>root (hd0,0)
>setup (hd0)
exit.

first type grub on command prompt then you will enter in grub menu. Type rest two commands and exit.
This will write grub on MBR.
But i am not sure whether it will work for dual boot. If it doesn't replace Grub on MBR with Windows bootstrap loader on MBR.

If it works for dual booting please let me know.

reddazz · 03-07-2008, 01:36 AM

If you have the Fedora dvd or rescue cd (its small and can be downloaded from any Fedora mirror), you can boot from that and enter "linux rescue" at the boot prompt. The live cd will boot and then you will be asked for details about your / (root) partition. Enter that information and when you see a shell prompt enter

Code:

chroot /mnt/sysimage
grub-install /dev/sda

If the commands were successful, reboot the system.

concoran · 03-07-2008, 02:32 AM

reddazz: When I log into 'rescue mode', and try to install grub, I get error msgs: file read incorrectly. Not sure what that means.

vedang: If I can't launch into rescue, not sure what mode you are talking about. As I said, I can't launch into FC8.

concoran · 03-07-2008, 02:37 AM

How to install GRUB, btw?

reddazz · 03-07-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concoran

reddazz: When I log into 'rescue mode', and try to install grub, I get error msgs: file read incorrectly. Not sure what that means.

If grub-install failed, run the command grub and enter something like

Code:

#grub
#grub> root (hd0,1)
#grub> setup (hd0)
#grub> quit

concoran · 03-07-2008, 04:06 AM

Hi reddazz,
did it, but it won't boot into Linux.
If I choose 'other', I can get into XP.

anyways, too late in the night here. I really need to log off now. Appreciate your help. will talk later. BFN.

Stéphane Ascoët · 03-07-2008, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concoran

Installed FC8 in second partition with GRUB in /dev/sda2.

Just set sda2 as bootable!

andreas_skw · 03-07-2008, 06:11 AM

look at andreaslm.wordpress.com, Grub missing part (Linux)

concoran · 03-08-2008, 12:30 AM

Well, I finally managed to install grub into MBR. I'll take it from here. Thanks everybody. Have a great day, night, weekend, or whatever is appropriate for you. Enjoy!