Had a hell of a time installing openSUSE 11.2 on hardware RAID array mirror in dual boot configuration with Vista on separate hard drive. Default configuration would not work. Install progressed normally, but could not boot to SUSE with Grub. Could only boot into it with installation DVD.
Finally got it to work by changing settings to install Grub to MBR and unchecking the box to write OS independent “generic” boot code to MBR. Also unchecked box to flag as bootable, as the help info suggested this was only needed for older BIOS’s and I have a fairly new system. Left all other boot settings at defaults. Motherboard chipset is Navidia nForce 780a SLI.
This is an update. After installing security updates on the Vista installation on the separate HD, I can’t boot to vista using Grub chainloader setup, which had been working for about 10 days. Windows starts to load and just when you normally see the desktop you get a blue screen of death for about a second and an auto reboot. Last known good configuration and safe mode to to fix issue. Tried to repair using install DVD, but no dice.
I’m wondering if Microsoft put some code in one of the updates to detect Linux installations and crash Vista at boot if it detects any. In any case, will have to physically disconnect Linux RAID array before reinstalling Vista, or the **** thing will insist on installing on Array. God I hate MS. Only want to keep Windows for games.
The four letter word that was censored (****) begins with a “d” and ends with “amn”. Didn’t think that was a word worth censoring. This forum is really strict.
I can tell you there have been issues with Vista service packs not installing due to grub. Restoring full Vista boot settings to the MBR, installing the service packs and then repair grub is a work around.
Though your issue sounds slightly different.