Re-Install GRUB from within Fedora (6)

[Acorn22]

How does one go about re-installing GRUB from within Fedora? I can still boot from my current GRUB installation- barely. Part of the problem is the CD/DVD drive stopped working so I need to do it from within Fedora.

Thanks.

[stevea]

Please describe the boot-up problem specifics.

You *may* need to run "grub-install" (see the man page and the 'info').
Alternatively perhaps you just need to edit /etc/grub/grub.conf

[Acorn22]

Thanks for the reply.

Ok what happens is it hangs at "GRUB Loading Stage2..."

I have figured out a work around which is to put a bootable cd (any kind) in the drive. With luck, after a few tries it will boot into the Hard Drive. My BIOS is set to boot from HD and changing it around does not help.

There are 2 things I am going to try. Updating the bios (in windows, of course) and re-installing GRUB.

My computer is an Acer Aspire 1640 laptop. Centrino, 512RAM, 60GB HDD.

[bob]

Here's the 'standard' method:

1. Boot off the 1st. Fedora CD or use the Fedora Rescue CD
2. At the boot prompt type 'linux rescue'
3. The rescue mode will find the fedora installation
4. Type 'chroot /mnt/sysimage' (without quotes)
5. Type 'grub-install /dev/hda' (to install Grub to the MBR of the 1st HD)
6. Restart and you should get the boot menu

[Acorn22]

The problem is I can't boot from a CD. If I put a bootable CD in, the computer boots from HDD.

[Acorn22]

here is grub.conf:

# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
# root (hd0,2)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/hda
default=0
timeout=10
splashimage=(hd0,2)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu

title Fedora 6 (2.6.20-1.2944.fc6)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.20-1.2944.fc6 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.20-1.2944.fc6.img

#title Fedora Core (2.6.20-1.2933.fc6)
# root (hd0,2)
# kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.20-1.2933.fc6 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
# initrd /initrd-2.6.20-1.2933.fc6.img

title Windows XP
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
chainloader +1

[bob]

Acorn, can't you access the BIOS (might be 'del' or 'F1' or whatever key is indicated during that post message) and then switch your boot order to have the CD-RW be the first boot device? That way you could use the CD to fix things.

[lmo]

2 ways to install grub from within Fedora:

1. bob's step 5.

grub-install /dev/hda

2. The way I do it

grub
grub>root (hd0,2)
grub>setup (hd0)
grub>quit

based on the "root (hd0,2)" in grub.conf which is indicating that the third partition contains the /boot partition and assuming grub is to be installed on the MBR of the first hard drive.

Question regarding bob's step 5. method: In F7 doesn't hda have to be changed to sda?
Though, in FC6, as shown should be correct.

[bob]

Absolutely right! Got to update that - still copying/pasting from my FC6 notes.

[Acorn22]

Ok This is a bit confusing.

If boot order = CD first ---> boot from HDD*
If boot order = HDD first ---> boot from HDD*

*Only with (any) bootable cd in. May have to try a few time with cd in, then out, then in, etc... until it boots.

I have updated my BIOS to the new (Vista-capable) version. It did not help, in fact it made my integrated graphics card lock at 64MB, so I used the old version. (now I can go up to 128 again)

[Acorn22]

Also I would like to point out that my DVD tray will not open once booted and the cd I have in there does not show up.