Jonathan Berry:
Hi Lovell,
Well, what your GRUB entry should be depends upon where Windows is
installed. Right now, GRUB is pointed at what Linux would call
/dev/hda5. The (hd0,4) means hard disk 0, partition 4 (where both
begin with 0, hence hda5). What is the output of
# fdisk -l
in Linux? You should be able to tell where Windows is from that.
Normally, it is installed on (hd0,0). If not, you must have
reinstalled it at some point after you put Linux towards the front.
When you find the right partition, just change the second number in
(hd0,4) to whatever you need (make sure to subtract one from the hdaX,
eg, if it is on /dev/hda3, the grub.conf should read (hd0,2)).
If you cannot figure something else, post back with the info you
collect, especially the output of "fdisk -l"
Jonathan
Lovell Mcilwain:
I will try this when I get home since my linux machine is not in front of
me at the moment. When I run fdisk -l I get the following output:
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 2 3569 28659960 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/hda2 3570 3700 1052257+ 82 Linux swap /
Solaris
/dev/hda3 * 3701 7295 28876837+ 83 Linux
/dev/hda5 2 3569 28659928+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
Whoa! That partition table is really convolved there. Your extended
partition is first on the disk, then your Linux swap and Linux root.
Then your hda5 is a logical parition in your extended partition. I
have never seen partitions laid out like this before.
I did install windows first since I can't get past the problem of grub
being erased or not functioning if I install windows after linux. If I
could ever get that to work I would have simply just reinstalled it since I
don't use windows that much.
All you have to do is reinstall grub by booting to the rescue CD. I
think Frank gave you instructions on how to do this.
My assumption from what your telling me and what my output is, is that my
grub entry is correct since it has (hd0,4). If that is the case can you tell
me what my other options are? I don't mind wiping my windows partition but
my linux partition (as it should be) is my most important so having to
rebuild that just to reinstall windows wouldn't be worth it :)
Well, given the strange state of your partition arrangement, I don't
know where each (hd0,4) is actually pointing. Since you only have 3
partitions before your Windows partition, it could be that it is
(hd0,3). Go ahead and try (hd0,0) while you are at it. I don't know
how Windows will react to being placed in a logical partition in the
extended partition.
I know rebuilding would be a pain, but you might seriously consider
it. And if you do, I suggest that you partition your hard disk a
little more...normally? Put Windows first on the disk in a *primary*
partition, then put your Linux partitions. I recommend at least a
swap, /, and /home. With the /home, you can blow away your system and
keep your data files (as long as you keep them in your home).
Jonathan
This makes total sense. I will try those options and if that doesn't
work I will rebuild and clean up my partitions better.