Ubuntu 12.04: install Grub2 on a separated partition, not MBR

I am not talking about repairing Grub2 inside Ubuntu 12.04, I am talking about install Grub2 on a separated partition, not on Master Boot Record (MBR). The command line is simple, but not like what I used before:


option 1, not work:

testuser@pc:~$ sudo grub-install /dev/sda1
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Attempting to install GRUB to a partitionless disk or to a partition.  This is a BAD idea..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Embedding is not possible.  GRUB can only be installed in this setup by using blocklists.  However, blocklists are UNRELIABLE and their use is discouraged..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: error: will not proceed with blocklists.


option 2, not work:

testuser@pc:~$ sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
testuser@pc:~$ sudo grub-install --boot-directory=/mnt/boot /dev/sda1
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Attempting to install GRUB to a partitionless disk or to a partition. This is a BAD idea..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Embedding is not possible. GRUB can only be installed in this setup by using blocklists. However, blocklists are UNRELIABLE and their use is discouraged..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: error: will not proceed with blocklists.


option 3, not work:

testuser@pc:~$ sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
testuser@pc:~$ sudo grub-install --force --boot-directory=/mnt/boot /dev/sda1
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Attempting to install GRUB to a partitionless disk or to a partition. This is a BAD idea..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Embedding is not possible. GRUB can only be installed in this setup by using blocklists. However, blocklists are UNRELIABLE and their use is discouraged..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: error: cannot read `/mnt/boot/grub/core.img' correctly.

option 4, works!

testuser@pc:~$ sudo grub-install --force /dev/sda1
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Attempting to install GRUB to a partitionless disk or to a partition. This is a BAD idea..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Embedding is not possible. GRUB can only be installed in this setup by using blocklists. However, blocklists are UNRELIABLE and their use is discouraged..
Installation finished. No error reported.

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