Lenovo ThinkPad laptops have special code in the MBR (master boot record) because of the “Blue ThinkVantage button” functionality. If detecting and preparing it properly fails, it might be necessary to restore the boot sector.
If you have a ThinkPad, ensure that the bootloader is not installed into the MBR (verify it in the installation proposal!) and the MBR is not rewritten by generic code (in installation proposel select Bootloader → Boot Loader Installation → Boot Loader Options → Write Generic Boot Code to MBR – should be unchecked).
If your MBR gets rewritten, the ThinkVantage button will not work anymore. The back-up of the MBR is stored in /var/lib/YaST2/backup_boot_sectors/.
If so, and i deselect “Write Generic Boot Code to MBR” option, do i have to manually put the grub bootloader somewhere else, or will opensuse 11.1 just take care of it™ for me?
I don’t mean to hijack this thread, but since it’s directly related to this post, I’m hoping people who know how to restore the boot loader could state or show how to do it.
I didn’t read about this and now the issue is happening to me. I’m just wondering on how to restore it?
Just so you’re aware I ended up finding the recovery discs and reimaging my laptop again. Is there a guide on how to do this properly so I don’t have to mess it up again?
but as i understand it i just need some advice on what the alternative boot-loader location will do, how i achieve it, and what options YAST will offer me.
and my netbook doesn’t have vista anyway.
unfortunately the article doesn’t tell me what to do with the boot loader, whether YAST will offer me any non-dangerous alternatives, and what effects this change will have on the end result.
i have always purchased linux friendly desktop components, and always installed XP leaving space free for a suse install.
now i have finally ordered a laptop/netbook which comes with all kinds of unfriendly items like wireless, webcams, and in this instance no optical drive to reinstall windows if it all goes wrong. to compound matters my laptop comes with one big C drive and a windows recovery program that may knacker a default install with the bootloader written to the MBR.
in short, if i am to risk a suse install this time around then i need a bit more information…
You can set grub to install as directed in the tutorial above. And manage booting of XP and Suse from windows by editing the boot.ini file in windows. (see the tutorial) You can use Suse to edit this (see tutorial)
