Re: Installation failed

[Mark Filipak <markfilipak.linux@gmail.com>]

On 2013/3/1 8:47 PM, Miles Fidelman wrote:
> Mark Filipak wrote:
> > On 2013/3/1 8:13 PM, Miles Fidelman wrote:
> > > Brian wrote:
> > > > On Fri 01 Mar 2013 at 19:25:30 -0500, Miles Fidelman wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > in fact, I expect that's what's happening to Mark when he tries to
> > > > > install GRUB - the installer is either:
> > > > > a) trying to install on the hdd, which he's disconnected (fail), or,
> > > > The kernel has no knowledge about a non-existent hard disk so how can
> > > > GRUB possibly attempt to install itself there?
> > >
> > > good point, but then again, what does grub-install (try to) use as a default if a specific device isn't specified?
> > > > > b) trying to install to the USB stick, which hasn't been partitioned
> > > > > properly (fail).
> > > > The base system has been installed prior to the bootloader stage. The
> > > > kernel must have been happy with the existing partitioning.
> > >
> > > Maybe yes, maybe no.  In one of his emails, Mark indicated that:
> > > > Okay, this is a side trip: Here (to the best of my recollection) is how I'm trying to partition:
> > > >
> > > > Pri-0: 243 MB, ext3, LVM, bootable
> > > > Pri-1: 28 GB, NTFS, "WindowsTemp"
> > > > Ext-0: 333 MB, ext3, /
> > > > Ext-1: 3.18 GB, ext3
> > > > Ext-2: 1.55 GB, swap
> > > > Ext-3: 524 MB, ext3
> > > > Ext-4: 277 MB, ext3
> > > > Ext-5: 3.24 GB, ext3
> > >
> > > Which leads to three immediate questions:
> > > - how and where are these partitions mounted (at the time that grub-install runs)?
> > > - how does that jibe with the options specified to grub-install?
> > > - or, if no options are specified, how does that jibe with the defaults that grub-install uses?
> > >
> > > I'll still bet that the grub-install failure, and subsequent boot failure stems from:
> > > - a partitioning error, and/or,
> > > - grub-install installing the boot loader in the wrong place, and/or,
> > > - a messed up grub configuration file.
> > >
> > >  From the above partitioning table, I'm going to guess that
> > > 1. he's booting and running the live-USB from Pri-0,
> > > 2. trying to install to Ext-0,
> > > 3. maybe re-installing the MBR on Pri-0,
> > > 4. not properly setting up the grub configuration to give a choice of booting from either partition
> >
> > Miles, you are not helping. Kindly stop contributing to this thread.
> Mark...
> 1. go F8&k yourself:
> 2. I'm trying to help, though why I bother with you I really don't know.
> 3. One point of support lists is for mutual learning.  The question of how to build a bootable memory stick is a persistent one.
> 4. If you're not interested in my interaction with others on this thread, use your delete key.
> 5. see 1.
>
> Miles Fidelman

Miles, I'm running the Debian installer from a Debian Live USB. I don't try to install GRUB. The Debian installer does it. I don't provide command-line switches. The Debian installer provides whatever command-line switches it deems appropriate in its call. How are the partitions mounted at the time? I'd have to ask the person who wrote the installer. I have no way of knowing the answer to these questions. The installer takes over the whole screen, so even if I knew how to make the queries you suggest, I couldn't do it. You think I'm simply being an ass. The problem is, you have not done what I need to do, so you can't provide help. So stop trying to provide help and stop blaming me.