GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

[Qqmike]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

Looks like SGD may have picked up on the Vista Recovery partition (=> Error 13).
I don't know.
I fix all these things with the methods of the how-to or Herman's stuff, but that isn't working here.
Nor is this working (step-by-step):
Vista *** The definitive dual-booting guide: Linux, Vista and XP step-by-step
http://apcmag.com/dualboot
?
Have you searched the bugs to see if there's something screwy with Vista & 8.04 KDE4?
I can't imagine what it would be, nor heard of anything.

And you did Check CD for Defects & md5sums.

Got me puzzled in the time I've been able to spend on it here with you.
Maybe some fresh eyes and minds will look in.

[Qqmike]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

I just posted this on the SGD Mail List; perhaps someone will look in, although they would be on shifted time from USA (Australia & Europe). The SGD has been working on issues related to Vista, so it has been of some interest.

[pyriander]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

thanks for that... just tried another idea... i've installed kubuntu without GRUB so this installation has no failures... then tried to start with the SGD but the same: error 13... i can't start kubuntu... damnit

i'm done

but thanks for the help

[pyriander]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

just tried ubuntu 8.04 - same problem...

[Qqmike]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

My 8.04 works fine as far as GRUB goes—it works just like any 7.10 installation.

The only thing sticking out here might be the disk geometry.

Here's your 160 GB drive sda:

Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
129 heads, 4 sectors/track, 605778 cylinders, total 312581808 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xfdef043a
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 4 41943059 20971528 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 41943060 58720283 8388612 bb Boot Wizard hidden
/dev/sda3 58720284 312581447 126930582 7 HPFS/NTFS


Here's my 160 GB drive sda with Windows XP in sda1:

Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders, total 312581808 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x90439043

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 16065 204812684 102398310 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 204812685 205021529 104422+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 205021530 312576704 53777587+ 5 Extended


Your disk geometry is different; and you've got the hidden partition—is that Vista's? Boot Wizard—what's that?

Now, fwiw, I've not seen that disk geometry with a modern 160 GB disk BUT, of course, I only see a few of them as posted in the forums now and then from fdsik -lu, as you have done.

Thanks for this information. I'm not sure yet what to make of it, and, hopefully someone else will look in. Conjecture: IF you were to start fresh, partition/format with Gparted Live CD, then install the OSs, I'll bet this would not be a problem ... unless Vista is somehow doing some partitioning or messing with things (the MBR?).

[pyriander]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

hmm.... hidden partition is the linux partition... but i didn't hide it strange thing... i formated it with the installer for ext3... maybe thats the problem?

[Qqmike]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

I can't tell much.
I thought Vista uses 2 partitions--one for its root and one for some sort of Recovery?
So your new Kubuntu was supposed to go where ... on sda2?
Which two partitions are Vista's?

You can see the size of each partition using
(End minus Start) * 512 = bytes in the partition.

Or,
df -hT
might show you.

And did you notice your 129 heads, 4 sectors per track? Not an expert, but most modern ones I've seen are more like mine; e.g., 63 sectors/track.

(Obviously, it would seem that Vista may be messing this up somehow--certainly neither GParted Live CD nor the 8.04 installer would mess things up too badly.)

[pyriander]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

don't know whats that with the sectors... but... i have changed the partition type via acronis to Linux Native and now its working... installation of ubuntu was fine... boot loader was installed correctly ... also my vista is working... now i have to configure ubuntu which will give me some more questions because i used to use kde... but... hey its working now... welcome back LINUX

so thanks for the help!!!

[Fintan]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

Glad to hear it and welcome to the party again

If you want kde do:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

or install it via synaptic.

If you want to play with kde4:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-kde4-desktop

or install via synaptic

[Qqmike]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

"... i have changed the partition type via acronis to Linux Native..."

So, you reformatted that partition using Acronis, then ran the installer fresh, and you got it.

Good.


(Sectors: no big deal. We caught it with the hidden partition business
Your drive just has a different geometry and should work fine with it. Whatever software was used to set up the brand new drive, set it up that way. I just wasn't familiar with that "pattern" 129-4-605778, but the total sectors adds up as usual.)


Edit, added:
I just read (and remembered) that when using Vista, you should use the Vista partitioner, so perhaps, that's what was done here to prepare the disk and perhaps why it may not look all that familiar.

[Fintan]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

you should use the Vista partitioner,

Yes, vista doesn't like others fooling around with it. Veery monogam

[pyriander]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

funny thing :

never used the vista partitioner - did everything with the Acronis Disk Manager on a Recovery Disk


another question... i have installed the kde desktop because i prefer this... how can i remove the gnome-desktop via apt-get? tried "apt-get remove ubuntu-desktop" but this don't work...

[Qqmike]

Re: GRUB fails to install - bug or user error?

Thanks for the feedback on Vista and Acronis. Interesting.

As for the Desktops, haven't messed with them, but this seems to be one of the more authoritative sources on doing and un-doing:

Desktops, KDE Gnome, How to correctly install:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=205002