Need help with Linux BootLoader - GRUB

trvasu · 11-27-2006, 07:47 AM

Hi Linux Guys,

I am one of the newbies in to the Linux World. I have a problem and i will be very greatful for any help.

System Info.

I have a P4, 1.6 MHz system (640MB RAM).
I have two hard disks, Primary a 80 GB HD with 2 Partitions, and a Second one 250 GB HD with 3 partitions.

Problem Description

First I loaded XP in the 80GB disk's first partition. Next I loaded Suse Linux Enterprise Server Desktop 10.0 in the second partition. During the installation, this partition was made into a secondary partition and 3 partions including SWAP was made. Also while loading the Boot Loader, the system suggested, that since i had other OS (which is XP), it recommended the BootLoader to be in hda (i.e. the partion where WinXP is loaded. After this the system worked well, with initially GRUB asking whether WinXP or Linux and based on that i used to go into what i wanted to use.

Now comes the problem. A couple of days before i loaded Windows Vista in my 2nd Disk's(250 GB) primary partition. On successful installation, Now I get Windows Vista Boot Manager and choises are Windows Vista or Earlier Version of Windows. I no longer get GRUB for me to go to Linux. I know that probably reloading of Linux should solve, this, but are there any other easy method.

While i am new to linux, i am a so called Power User of Windows enviornment and can attempt to do, if guided...

Thanks for patience in reading ....Vasu

**K-B** · 11-27-2006, 08:40 AM

Hi Vasu, welcome to TSF!
I'm not positive if this solution works on SLED 10.0, because I've never used it, but it's worth a try and won't hurt anything.
Pop in the SLED disk, when it boots, see if it has the option to "Repair". Either that or an "Other" option. If it does, use that option and see if asks you what you want to repair. See if it has a "Repair MBR" or "Rebuild GRUB" option. (MBR= Master Boot Record, the first few bytes of BIOS that your computer goes to first when you start it up).
That solution works in Suse 10.0. Hopefully it will work for you.

**TheMatt** · 11-27-2006, 09:35 PM

Hi,

When you installed Windows Vista, it overwrote the master boot record. That is why you can't see your SUSE instalation. Hopefully kbalona's solution will work out. Sorry I don't have another suggestion, I just thought I would point out the cause since this is an important thing to think about when dual booting with Windows and Linux.

**K-B** · 11-28-2006, 04:03 AM

Very good Matt, thanks for clarifying that.

11-27-2006, 07:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
trvasu Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1 OS: XP, Linux,	Need help with Linux BootLoader - GRUB Hi Linux Guys, I am one of the newbies in to the Linux World. I have a problem and i will be very greatful for any help. System Info. I have a P4, 1.6 MHz system (640MB RAM). I have two hard disks, Primary a 80 GB HD with 2 Partitions, and a Second one 250 GB HD with 3 partitions. Problem Description First I loaded XP in the 80GB disk's first partition. Next I loaded Suse Linux Enterprise Server Desktop 10.0 in the second partition. During the installation, this partition was made into a secondary partition and 3 partions including SWAP was made. Also while loading the Boot Loader, the system suggested, that since i had other OS (which is XP), it recommended the BootLoader to be in hda (i.e. the partion where WinXP is loaded. After this the system worked well, with initially GRUB asking whether WinXP or Linux and based on that i used to go into what i wanted to use. Now comes the problem. A couple of days before i loaded Windows Vista in my 2nd Disk's(250 GB) primary partition. On successful installation, Now I get Windows Vista Boot Manager and choises are Windows Vista or Earlier Version of Windows. I no longer get GRUB for me to go to Linux. I know that probably reloading of Linux should solve, this, but are there any other easy method. While i am new to linux, i am a so called Power User of Windows enviornment and can attempt to do, if guided... Thanks for patience in reading ....Vasu

11-27-2006, 08:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
K-B Moderator, Linux Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,878 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Hi Vasu, welcome to TSF! I'm not positive if this solution works on SLED 10.0, because I've never used it, but it's worth a try and won't hurt anything. Pop in the SLED disk, when it boots, see if it has the option to "Repair". Either that or an "Other" option. If it does, use that option and see if asks you what you want to repair. See if it has a "Repair MBR" or "Rebuild GRUB" option. (MBR= Master Boot Record, the first few bytes of BIOS that your computer goes to first when you start it up). That solution works in Suse 10.0. Hopefully it will work for you. __________________

11-27-2006, 09:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Hi, When you installed Windows Vista, it overwrote the master boot record. That is why you can't see your SUSE instalation. Hopefully kbalona's solution will work out. Sorry I don't have another suggestion, I just thought I would point out the cause since this is an important thing to think about when dual booting with Windows and Linux. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

11-28-2006, 04:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
K-B Moderator, Linux Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,878 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Very good Matt, thanks for clarifying that. __________________