XP Boot problem using grub

Base · n00b Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

Have a problem with grub. To be precise, with the (hd) contra /dev/sda standards

Hardware
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I use one SATA(Linux) disk and one ATA(Win XP) disk.
I boot from the sata disk.
I have an nforce4 motherbord.

Procedure
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When i install grub i emerge then #grub.
I set root(hd1,0) and setup (hd1)

I edit grub.conf and since i boot from the sata disk it will in the
grub.conf be set to = root (hd0,0)
I save and reboot.

This part works, i boot into linux without problem.
But i havent found any way to access the XP disk.

When booted into my gentoo install xp disk is detected as /dev/hdc1(why not /dev/hda1 one could ask).
Though i can access the disk fine from here.
But in grub.conf a (hd*,0) value is setted and feels like ive tried all numerical combos up to 10 and only get
"unknown filesystem" or that the value is invalid.
Any suggestions how to get this working?

Admiral_Trigger_Happy · Guru Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 337 Location: Australia

Same problem here, I just gave up and took out the HD with windows on it.
But I am interested in a solution to this problem.

I found that if you setup the PATA disk as the boot drive and install GRUB there it all seems to work fine, but I didn't want to do it that way
_________________
Admiral Trigger Happy
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www.kiba-dock.org

syg00 · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:36 am Post subject:

This makes no sense - you say you are booting from the SATA, yet you setup(hd1).
Then you use root(hd0,0) ...
And it works ???.

Maybe you should tell us everything if you expect help.

When (and why) are you changing BIOS boot order, and what does your map file look like.

Vulpes_ · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 10:54 am Post subject:

Base: Could you post your grub.conf?

Base · n00b Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

The reason for the hd0, hd1 switch is because of grub
When i boot from the livecd(aka when im installing gentoo), grub detects the sata as hd1(second hd)
BUT when booting from a certain disk(When installation is complete), grub always counts that disk as hd0(took me a day of hairpulling before i figured that out..) Therefore i must setup grub against hd1 when using livecd, but setup grub to boot against hd0 att boot time.
This because the hd order changes in grub depending on how i boot into linux.

default 0
timeout 30

title=Gentoo
root (hd0,0)
kernel /kernel root /dev/sda3

title=Win
root (THIS DOESNT WORK NO MATTER WHAT I TRY)
makeactive
chainloader +1

I had one idea myself though. Havent tried booting into linux installation and the run #grub again with root (hd0,0) and setup (hd0). Perhaps this somehow upsets the win XP boot if it sets to (hd1,0) at boot time. Will try it later when im home.

Anyway hope you understand what i mean?

PS: i CAN boot into windows by changing bootorder in bios, but would be nice to be able to do it in Grub...

PSS: Havent tried but wild guess says this problem wouldnt exist in lilo. But then again i dont really wanna use lilo.

syg00 · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:09 am Post subject:

syg00 · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:16 am Post subject: Re: XP Boot problem using grub

Base · n00b Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

Ok that explains the hdc part. I have a dvd burner alone on the primary ATA channel.

Will try the other bit tonight at home(at work atm) and post results etc.

Base · n00b Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

The map commands unfortunatly only seem to generate something like "unknown command".
When booted into linux i see that my sata disk is still taking the name (hd1) {unlike when i boot, where it is hd0}.
So my other idea is useless as well.... Too bad if i have to use the bios bootorder to use windows..Hmm will have to think about this some more

Any other suggestions is deeply appreichiated.

syg00 · Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:31 am Post subject:

Oooops - shoulda been;
map (hd0) (hd1)
map (hd1) (hd0)

Sorry.