10.10 bootloader install failed

[snapplejacks]

hi,

trying to install 10.10 from a livecd on to machine which previously had windows xp with 160GB hard drive (this machnie had blue screen of death but hard disk is verified ok as i was able to install trisquel). everytime i try each install method (either entire disk or alongside) it gives me this bootloader failure.

it is not able to install at specified location /dev/sda but even though i attempt other options it wont let me continue.

I'm a linux newbie so any assistance is greatly appreciated ?


(i've attempted various sudo commands so i'm willing to try anything!)

[Rubi1200]

Hi and welcome to the forums :)

Are you saying that the only OS is/should be Ubuntu?

You might want to try with the Alternate CD.

Another question: was the disk ever part of a RAID array and/or did you have something in Windows like Dell DataSafe or FlexNet that writes to the MBR?

[snapplejacks]

thanks Rubi, but I've no idea what RAID is. I was attempting a total install

what is the alternate cd ?

[Rubi1200]

When you boot the LiveCD, go to Applications > Accessories > Terminal.

Run this command:

sudo dmraid -r -E /dev/sda

If there is metadata on the drive, choose to remove it and try the install again.

The Alternate CD is a text-based installer, but quite easy to use:
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/alternative-download

Also, if you want us to take a look at the current state of your system, run this in the terminal and post the output here (copy/paste from the terminal):


sudo fdisk -lu

[snapplejacks]

sudo dmraid -r -E /dev/sda

returned "no raid disks and with names : /dev/sda"

i tried this also for sda1



i cant copy/paste to a different machine when doing sudo fdisk -lu


i can list the devices output:

disk /dev/sda: 160GB
255 heads 63 sectors/track etc


system
/dev/sda1 linux
/dev/sda2 extended
/dev/sda5 linux swap /solaris
/dev/sda6 linux
/dev/sda7 linux swap/solaris

[dino99]

try:

sudo dmraid -rE

reading your first post, you might try to get around acpi issue in case:

add on the boot line (F6) noacpi and/or nomodeset

[snapplejacks]

dino,
its telling me "no raid disks"

[dino99]

dino,
its telling me "no raid disks"

ok, so one problem resolved :) (new comments on previous post)

other thing, what give:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc

[snapplejacks]

ok, so one problem resolved :) (new comments on previous post)

other thing, what give:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc


i've went thru a couple of screens on the above and it seems to stopped at the configuring grub-pc screen with 4 paragraphs on it
with <ok> at the bottom.....i cant seem to get past this


as for further above "reading your first post, you might try to get around acpi issue in case:

add on the boot line (F6) noacpi and/or nomodeset"

what does this mean ?

[dino99]

you've started with: trying to install 10.10 from a livecd

then you've posted your partitions, so i understand that installation is made. But on some hardware, sometimes, we need to add setting(s) on the boot line (now from the grub menu as the installation is made) by testing (adding) either noacpi and/or nomodeset

To do that you need to select the line you want to boot on from the grub menu (if its hidden then : hold "shift" key down at end of bios process) , edit it (E) and:

on the line ended by "quiet splash", replace "quiet splash" by either noacpi or nomodeset, then ctrl+x to boot

But there is one thing i'm not sure: is grub installed ? so:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc

[snapplejacks]

ok maybe we'lls tep thru this again ?
sudo dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc


configuring grup-pc first page

linux command line is blank ?

[dino99]

ok maybe we'lls tep thru this again ?
sudo dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc


configuring grup-pc first page

linux command line is blank ?

hm, first page, line is blank: i'm lost there, dont know where you are.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=10161428&postcount=2