Install GRUB from Mint Live CD

[piratesmack]

OUTDATED!

This is for Grub legacy (0.9x) ONLY
Linux Mint now uses Grub2

Step 1: Boot from a Linux Mint Live CD
-Most of you probably know how to do this. In most cases, you just reboot your computer with the CD in the drive. Sometimes, you will need to change the BIOS settings so it tries to boot from the CD drive before the hard drive.

Step 2: Mount your Linux root partition:
-Open a terminal, and type:

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sudo fdisk -l

-The command above will print out a list of partitions, find the device node for your Linux partition (/dev/hda1, /dev/hda2, /dev/sda1, /dev/sda2, etc)
-Now mount it with:

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sudo mount /dev/xxxx /mnt
# replace the x's with the device node you just took note of
# feel free to change /mnt if you want to mount it somewhere else

Step 3: Install GRUB to the MBR:

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sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt hd0

-After installation, it will print the contents of /boot/grub/device.map. If something is wrong, edit device.map and rerun the command above.

Last step: Write a menu.lst
-Run the command:

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sudo nano /boot/grub/menu.lst

-That will open the nano text editor and tell it to save as /boot/grub/menu.lst, everyone's menu.lst will look a little different.
Here is a basic menu.lst example for a Linux/Windows dual-boot:

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# Linux boot entry
title Linux
root (hdx,x)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/xxx ro
initrd /boot/initrd.gz
# End of Linux boot entry

# Windows boot entry
title Windows
root (hdx,x)
makeactive
chainloader +1
# End of Windows boot entry

-For the (hdx,x) part, the first x represents the hard drive number. 0 is the first hard drive, 1 is the second, 2 is the third, and so on. The second x represents the partition number. /dev/hda1 is 1, /dev/hda2 is 2, and so on. Note: Grub doesnt seem to count your swap partition, so ignore it when determining the partition order.
-You can check your Linux Mint /boot/grub/menu.lst for a better example
-Press Ctrl+o in nano to save your menu.lst



Easier way, using the "Grubconfig" script
-From the Mint live cd, download the script:
http://www.tux.org/pub/people/kent-robotti/looplinux/
-Extract it:

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tar -xvzf grubconfig-*.tar.gz

-Navigate to the grub config directory:

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cd grubconfig-x.xx #Replace x's with version number

-Make the grubconfig script executable:

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chmod +x grubconfig

-Run the script:

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sudo ./grubconfig

-Then just follow the simple instructions to install grub

[Husse]

I have linked to this topic from the "repair grub" article in the wiki
As long as the grub prompt does not cooperate this is useful solution

[piratesmack]

I have linked to this topic from the "repair grub" article in the wiki
As long as the grub prompt does not cooperate this is useful solution

Thanks.

Did you get the workaround I sent you?

If you mount your Linux root partition, proc, and /dev under /mnt/root, you should be able to repair from the Grub shell no problem (At least it worked for me).

So the process should be something like:

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sudo mkdir /mnt/root

sudo mount -t ext3 /dev/xxxx /mnt/root # replace the x's with your linux root partition

sudo mount -t proc none /mnt/root/proc

sudo mount -o bind /dev /mnt/root/dev

sudo grub

find /boot/grub/stage1

root (hdx,x)

setup (hd0)

Perhaps that should be added to the wiki?

[piratesmack]

I just found a really nice script that helps you install grub, it's called "grubconfig"
http://www.tux.org/pub/people/kent-robo ... .29.tar.gz
It's pretty easy to use, it's very similar to Slackware's liloconfig script

It even backs up your mbr in /boot/grub before it installs

Here's a screenshot:
http://www.vulomedia.com/images/11837screenshot.png

[Husse]

Thanks - the problem is that I can't even repair grub from my installed systems and I have done that many times on my two desktops and I think from my laptop as well....
Something is broken and not only in my system, but my time is too limited to chase down the cause now

[kvaju]

both link are dead

[merlwiz79]

The updated it http://www.tux.org/pub/people/kent-robo ... .31.tar.gz
Just go here http://www.tux.org/pub/people/kent-robotti/looplinux/

[mokoia]

I just wanted to say thanks. I was having trouble getting Grub to work after installing XP and this post solved my issues

[lorenberg]

Thanks!!! I will give that a try.

Loren Berg

[BananasInPajamas]

When I try running the script, it says I need the "Dialogue" program to run.

[piratesmack]

When I try running the script, it says I need the "Dialogue" program to run.

Dialog is the program that creates those curses-based menus.

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sudo apt-get install dialog

[BananasInPajamas]

Bummer, there was an error returned when trying to install grub. Is there a way to figure this out, or what do I do to reinstall the Windows boot loader? Either one will work

[piratesmack]

Bummer, there was an error returned when trying to install grub. Is there a way to figure this out, or what do I do to reinstall the Windows boot loader? Either one will work

What was the error?

And you can use a program called ms-sys to install a windows-compatible boot record. Not sure if there's a package for mint, but I know it's included on the partedmagic and puppy linux live cds.

I think the command you want is "ms-sys -w /dev/sdx"

[Pierre]

I actually just used this TUT to re-install my Minty boot, after the re-install of another O/S.
worked just peachy. .. didn't follow the Last Step, as I wanted to keep the original menu.lst already in the Mint partition.

[COKEDUDE]

When I try running the script, it says I need the "Dialogue" program to run.

Dialog is the program that creates those curses-based menus.

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sudo apt-get install dialog

I assume you need a internet connection for that to work. Is that correct?

[Fred]

COKEDUDE,

yes

Fred

[COKEDUDE]

After reading this I assume Mint 9 doesn't use the menu.lst file anymore. Is that correct?

Grub Legacy uses boot/grub/menu.lst.

Grub 2 uses uses boot/grub/grub.cfg.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Recov ... ingWindows

[Fred]

COKEDUDE,

yes

Fred

[COKEDUDE]

Which file controls the GRUB boot menu now? My boot menu is not showing up for some reason.

[piratesmack]

@COKEDUDE
/boot/grub/grub.cfg

Use grub2config
http://www.tux.org/pub/people/kent-robo ... 1.5.tar.gz