Wednesday, May 30, 2012

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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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    However, blocklists are UNRELIABLE and their use is discouraged !!!
    I do sudo grub-install --force /dev/sdax since 2005 with GAG
    I'm doing this since 2005 without problem
    cordially

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amit BarariaOctober 8, 2013 at 1:14 AM

    Hello Cheng, I have just loaded Ubuntu 12.04 o the same disk as Win 7. It immediately installed Grub2 on the MBR.
    Then I just used your solution and it immediately installed on a different partition. Good. Then I put back Win 7 on the MBR via bootrec /fixmbr. But after reboot Grub2 was again installed on the MBR!
    I want to put Windows bootloader back on the MBR. Please give me the solution.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 22, 2014 at 6:15 PM

      That's the problem of Win 7. You can find many useful blogs of how to dual boot Win7 and Ubuntu 12.04.

      Delete

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