When you try to install a linux distro, in some cases …. (mine’s too) i had problems with grub loader. Grub is actually a program that prompts you which operating system will be launch on boot.
I had to install and see how Ubuntu 9.04 works but grub gave me a bad error. For my case and for all of you who tries to install an linux distro it is wise to unplug any USB hard disks before installations.
There a 2 solutions to fix or bypass this error.
FIXING THE INSTALLATION
Use the linux CD as a live cd
Open Terminal
Type
When you get to the desktop open a terminal and enter. (I am going to give you the commands and then I will explain them later)
sudo grub
This will get you a “grub>” prompt (i.e. the grub shell). At grub>. enter these commands
find /boot/grub/stage1
This will return a location. If you have more than one, select the installation that you want to provide the grub files.
Next, THIS IS IMPORTANT, whatever was returned for the find command use it in the next line (you are still at grub>. when you enter the next 3 commands)
root (hd?,?)
Again use the value from the find command i.e. if find returned (hd0,1) then you would enter root (hd0,1)
Next enter the command to install grub to the mbr
setup (hd0)
Finally exit the grub shell
quit
That is it. Grub will be installed to the mbr.
SOLUTION TO BYPASS THE GRUB LOADER
Again using your live Linux Distro CD
alternatively, you can use grub to help you to boot your windows by directing the GRUB to load your NTLoader.
grub> rootnoverify (hd0,0)
grub> makeactive
grub> chainloader +1
grub> boot
Assuming your Windows is in HDD 1 and partition 1.