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Trying to install Ubuntu 11.10 on a partition of a hard disk, but keep getting this error:

executing grub-install/dev/sda1 failed

Can't delete all partitions as there is important data on the other partitions.

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is this partition is a primary one ? – eyadof Mar 22 '12 at 18:59
Is that the exact command you are using? – Bruno Pereira♦ Mar 22 '12 at 19:12
2  
grub-install/dev/sda1 is actually wrong, you need to add a space: grub-install /dev/sda1. Also you probably wanted to install it to sda, and not sda1, as the MBR sector, where grub gets installed is only one per drive. – Rafał Cieślak Mar 22 '12 at 19:14
You may be experiencing this bug that affects many users: bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub-installer/+bug/976027 – Enkouyami Jun 5 '12 at 17:38
related post: askubuntu.com/q/128937/62483 – Lucio Mar 3 at 15:50
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closed as too localized by qbi, Mik, Seth, jrg♦ Mar 3 at 19:50

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1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote

Is there a reason why you want to install the MBR on /dev/sda1?
You should try with grub-install /dev/sda

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