MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

Euphoric Nightmare · 2005-06-28 20:10:43

So I just installed arch on a machine I acquired from a friend. When I first got it (a few weeks ago), I booted into Windows 98 (was already on it) just to make sure that it would start up and everything.

I installed Arch earlier today. When I rebooted I received this:

Searching for boot record on CD-ROM: Failed
Searching for boot record on Floppy Disk: Failed
Searching for boot record on IDE-0: OK

and then it just hangs.

I thought I had installed grub from the arch cd. Quick question: on down the list on the installer, it says install bootloader. So when I went to that, I chose grub, okay (or done whatever it says), but it didn't seem like it did anything. Maybe I'm mistaken. Do I need to install grub in a different fashion?

EDIT: Does it sound like I have to revive the MBR?

cactus · 2005-06-28 21:28:18

if you didn't "touch" the grub config file, grub doenst install sometimes. What i do is when in the config phase of the install, I open every one of the config files, and do a write-quit in vi, so as to save the file. I have never had a problem once I have done that.

Euphoric Nightmare · 2005-06-28 22:05:44

cactus wrote:

if you didn't "touch" the grub config file, grub doenst install sometimes. What i do is when in the config phase of the install, I open every one of the config files, and do a write-quit in vi, so as to save the file. I have never had a problem once I have done that.

I'm pretty sure I saved the menu.lst a few times in the arch setup before I installed grub with vi ('ZZ'). Does it matter if I do this before/after installing grub?

cactus · 2005-06-28 23:24:14

has to be before. if that is the case, then I don't know what the issue is. Another question...

Is your /boot directory set as..bootable?

iphitus · 2005-06-28 23:32:39

cactus wrote:

has to be before. if that is the case, then I don't know what the issue is. Another question...
Is your /boot directory set as..bootable?

Doesnt need to be, only windows needs the bootable flag.

Euphoric Nightmare · 2005-06-29 01:13:53

cactus wrote:

has to be before. if that is the case, then I don't know what the issue is. Another question...
Is your /boot directory set as..bootable?

Yes, I have.

EDIT: I will try again tomorrow, and post some more information if I can get any.

iphitus · 2005-06-29 03:47:37

Just boot archie, mount your arch install, mount --bind /sys, /proc, and /dev into your arch install's mount, then chroot in, then grub-install /dev/hda, assuming you have your bootloader on HDA.

iphitus

Euphoric Nightmare · 2005-06-29 20:28:02

I sort of solved it, I ended up installing a base ubuntu system (to make sure i didn't kill the mbr), and now grub starts. When i get home tonight, i will kill ubuntu and do arch. For some reason the arch installation always gives me problems with grub.

Dusty · 2005-06-29 20:31:16

Every grub-based distro I ever used gave me grief.

Why do you use LiLo, they ask? ;-)

Dusty

Euphoric Nightmare · 2005-06-29 21:31:09

I can't do lilo, its too complex for my little mind.

yak8998 · 2005-06-30 17:02:23

cactus wrote:

if you didn't "touch" the grub config file, grub doenst install sometimes. What i do is when in the config phase of the install, I open every one of the config files, and do a write-quit in vi, so as to save the file. I have never had a problem once I have done that.

I'm pretty sure it forces you to edit menu.lst before you can 'install bootloader'

Arch Linux

#1 2005-06-28 20:10:43

MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#2 2005-06-28 21:28:18

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#3 2005-06-28 22:05:44

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#4 2005-06-28 23:24:14

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#5 2005-06-28 23:32:39

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#6 2005-06-29 01:13:53

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#7 2005-06-29 03:47:37

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#8 2005-06-29 20:28:02

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#9 2005-06-29 20:31:16

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#10 2005-06-29 21:31:09

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

#11 2005-06-30 17:02:23

Re: MBR Problems (maybe?) [Resolved]

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