I installed MEPIS from live CD and [tried to] install GRUB
in my root partition. It did not work.
I ran MEPIS on the same PC up unteil 2 days ago. I configured
the new hard drive this morning and attempted
to install MEPIS again.

I saw documentation on the MEPIS Lovers website regarding
dual boots. (I boot Win 2K and MEPIS) I followed the sites
instructions, I'm not sure if I needed a Swap partition or not.
I created Root and Home. I chose to install GRUB in root.
I downloaded Smart Boot, but wasn't sure what to do with it.
(On Floppy)

MEPIS worked very well for me until I installed a larger drive.



Thanks for the help with this,

Salman

Now, I'm using Windows, AAAARRRGGGGHHH!
Some of my language software, I need, was not ported to UNIX or Mac....

Hey salmanal,

Just a little more info is needed unless you want a huge reply! What is needed is

1) how many hd's you have
2) What is installed on what
3) What setup you want
4) What is your partition scheme

You can boot linux or windows easily in many different fashions.

If you want Windows on your first harddrive/partition then you will need to over write the mbr of that drive - unless you boot from a floppy every time.

If you want linux on your first harddrive/partition then booting grub is no hassle at all. A simple mapping is needed in grub's conf.

aikidoist72 -- right on about the huge reply.

salmanal -- some more questions:

Please provide the link to the "documentation on the MEPIS Lovers website" that you consulted.

What made you think that you don't need a swap partition?

What made you think that the "root" partition (i.e. /) is the right palce for GRUB? (Unless, of course, you edit your Win boot.ini file ...)

Also, one good way to provide the partitioning scheme as aikidoist72 requests, would be to post the output of fdisk -l is a "Code" block (i.e. use the "Code" button above). That way the columnar formatting is preserved & it is easy to use. Please do not just paste it directly into the message area.

I have 1 hard drive. I want to boot to more than 1 OS. I installed Win 2K and hoped others could be installed afterwards. When I attempted to install MEPIS,
the Partitioner stated, a Swap Partition is optional. When I had this configured before, I didn't make it and it worked.

All I want: To be able to dual or multiboot with the option of choosing the OS upon startup of my system. I can deal with the other partitions once I can, at least, dual boot.

Before the new hard drive, Windows and MEPIS were options upon starting the system.

I see GRUB on the MEPIS CD, but don't know how to make a copy of it to the floppy. I will, at least do a search in the meantime on this while I wake up.

How to create a GRUB diskette:

1. Type "kdesu kwrite" in "Run Command" and enter
the root pasword.
2. Copy the following code into kwrite windows:

#!/bin/sh
#
# This script formats the floppy and writes the
current grub configuration to floppy.
#
mkfs.ext3 /dev/fd0
mount /dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy
cd /mnt/floppy
mkdir boot
cd boot
mkdir grub
cd /boot/grub
cp * /mnt/floppy/boot/grub
umount /dev/fd0
grub --batch --device-map=/dev/null <<EOF
device (fd0) /dev/fd0
root (fd0)
setup (fd0)
quit
<<EOF

Then: File -> Save as -> /sbin/makegrubfloppy

Next, make the file executable:

1. Open konqueror as root (File Manager - Super
User Mode)
2. Right click on /sbin/makegrubfloppy file and
select Properties
3. Select the Permissions tab of the Properties
dialog
4. Click on the check box for Is executable
5. Click OK
6. Close File Manager (konqueror)

Alternatively, you can make it executable in konsole:

su (enter root password)
chmod +x /sbin/makegrubfloppy

You can now insert a floppy disk into the drive, open
KMenu > System > Terminal - Super User Mode and
execute the command makegrubfloppy to create a
bootable floppy disk that will provide exactly the
same boot menu you have when booting from your hard
drive.

Please let me know if this is accurate.

Thanks,

Slmanal

If I recall correctly, Mepis starts a s a live cd. From there you can install to hard drive through a control center. Have you checked if you can install just the bootloader without reinstalling the distro?

I've not tried to only install the bootloader yet, I'll be back......

After having time to try and fix/reinstall GRUB; and having the time to do something stupid like read, and go to Maxtor's website; I discovered my new hard drive will not support another bootloader per my drive's support:

MaxBlast and the GRUB Boot Loader want initial, boot sector control of a hard drive.

I will bite the bullet and get another drive that supports BOTH windows and others.

Man, a 200 GB drive, glad it was not expensive.

Well at least a result.

Instead of buying a new hard disk, why don't you install grub to the MBR?

AC..
I think the problem is that his motherboard doesn't support the
200GB drive.. that is why he is using the "Max-blast" disk utility..

He might have to use the max blast utility but he could still make the floppy and boot the system that way. I like having a boot floppy around and it is very handy.

If the motherboard can't support the drive capacity.. it may boot
but you wont' see the full size..

I ran into this here at work about 2 years ago.. the 137GB barrier.. when
using an EIDE 250GB drive..

It would be nice if there were some hardware specs posted..