Grub configuration in Ubuntu

[GraemeUK]

Hi guys, bit of an awkward question here:

I have 3 hard drives

1) Windows XP Pro
2) Storage drive
3) Empty (But this is the drive I want to install Ubuntu on)

Now, 1) drive is the first hdd boot device BUT I don't want to write GRUB to this drive because if I want to delete Ubuntu I don't want to have to configure the MBR again.

When GRUB asks what drive I want to install on it had the default as hd0 (my windows drive) so I thought if I chose hd2 it would install on the Ubuntu drive.

I was wrong and I get an error message 17 when booting saying the volume couldn't be mounted.

Anyone can tell me how to configure GRUB so it is installed on my 3rd drive along with the installation of Ubuntu. I'd be very grateful. Cheers in advance

 

[fumbles]

When installing Linux I always unplug any hdd I don't want it to touch...

Otherwise if you have already installed Ubuntu, you will need to reinstall Grub.

# grub-install sdc (for example)

[EDIT]After googling apparently this method is unsafe!

http://orgs.man.ac.uk/documentation/grub/grub_3.html

17 : Cannot mount selected partition
This error is returned if the partition requested exists, but the filesystem type cannot be recognized by GRUB.

Copy of /etc/fstab would be nice, there could be an error. /sbin/fdisk -l would be nice too.

 

[Una]

If you have already installed Ubuntu your gonna need to reconfigure grub.

Once booted into your environment (or using chroot)

Run grub and at the prompt enter (where x is your hd number, and y is the partition)

root (hdx,y)
setup (hdx)
quit

Then make sure your /boot/grub/grub.conf is correct.

If you want to install using the installer again post fdisk -l like fumbles said.

 

[mortals]

All you need to do to re-setup the MBR to windows is boot into DOS and do:

fdisk /mbr

You don't need recovery console, admin password, etc....