New dual-boot install: Cannot boot Ubuntu

[Basil Chupin]

On 27/03/10 23:28, Dotan Cohen wrote:
> I just installed Kubuntu 9.10 on a machine that dual-boots Windows XP.
> The machine has two IDE drives, this is the partition layout:
>
> sda1: 160 GB: shared FAT32 partition. In Windows: F:, in Ubuntu: /media/shared
> sdb1: 30 GB: Windows XP C:
> sdb2: 2 GB: swap
> sdb3: 48 GB: Kubuntu 9.10
>
> Even though C: is on sdb, the BIOS was configured to boot from sda
> (confirmed to to device names and sizes). Therefore, I installed Grub
> on sda. However, when I restart the machine after install, Grub did
> not come up and the machine booted into Windows. Therefore, I
> configured the BIOS to boot from sdb in the hopes that maybe I made a
> mistake and installed Grub there. However, the machine _still_ booted
> into Windows!
>
> I therefore reinstalled and this time installed Grub to sdb. However,
> no matter if the BIOS is configured to boot from sda or sdb, it always
> boots Windows from sdb1!
>
> What must I do to diagnose and repair this? Thanks!
>   

I don't know the exact solution to your problem but can give a couple of
pointers.

Firstly, Windows uses the MBR to boot itself, and I think the MBR is
always on sda/hda. So, if you want to dual boot you need to write grub
to that MBR.

Secondly, I am pretty sure that Karmic is now using grub2 and not the
"old" grub which was easier to fiddle with. However, when you go to
"reistall" grub then install in it the MBR (see above).

Somebody with more knowledge than I have on this will more than likely
shoot down what I just wrote and will tell you how to solve your problem
:-) .

BC


-- 
If you go through life with your head in the sand, all people will see is an arse.