Thread: OS X 10.6.7, Mac Pro Bootcamp problem

before describing problem here, i'd clarify couple of things.

a) have done many hours of research on problem.

b) have extensive experience formatting drives, , little knowledge boot systems.

c) of forum posts regarding similar problems have received replies "huh! run [fill in blank} , don't have problem." (not helpful @ all, , wasted lot of time.)

d) me , every other user out there might find google search huge favor, please? if have clue or idea how solve this, please reply. if don't, please don't waste everybody's time telling all, "it works fine me."

i've done research. i've read documentation. not 1 single solution i've found far works on system. telling me works on yours not doesn't me, implies haven't "rtfm," (which after solid week of researching this, frankly insulting.)

system:

model name: mac pro
model identifier: macpro1,1
processor name: dual-core intel xeon
processor speed: 2.66 ghz
number of processors: 2
total number of cores: 4
l2 cache (per processor): 4 mb
memory: 2 gb
bus speed: 1.33 ghz
boot rom version: mp11.005d.b00

history before problem:

running bootcamp xp dual boot (upgraded sp 3 after installation ~ problem free) 2 years.

1 year ago, ran out of room on hd. uninstalled windows, , reinstalled on secondary drive. upgraded sp 3. no problems.

1 week ago decided try installing ubuntu using distribution burned cd (no refit ~ , remember, windows on secondary hd, own partition. used ubuntu simple partitioning option (to install next windows), , fails right @ end because grub can't install. try installing every other available disk. fail.

1 odd thing: when option key held during reboot ubuntu cd shows "windows." also, i've attempted various installation methods, during (i forget configuration) 1 did show in option key menu, , said "windows" right next actual windows boot disk. don't know if indicates kind of conflict in bootcamp or not. maybe does? because after reboot, both (the real windows , ubuntu disk ~ showing windows) disappeared both bootcamp preferences menu, , option key menu, , box no longer boot in os x no matter did, plus boot champ, though showed windows disk, fail on reboot well.

though, still see files windows in os x, saved files drive, wiped entire drive containing partition (remember, secondary drive now), , started over.

time, used bootcamp install windows again, secondary drive (there no room left on os x drive this), , went fine. then, ran unbuntu installation cd again, using "next to" option, again, , getting grub installation error toward end of process. none of disk choices work. i've tried them all.

have tried refit, on machine, not work @ all. i've not seen refit startup screen @ no matter how many times reboot, shut down etc. tiny bit of research reveals others running refit began having problems upgrading snow leopard. there problems running on snow leopard.

i've seen quite lot of responses similar problems indicating people running systems other mac pros have not seen these problems, leads me suspect (as many other softwares), there many problems (this 1 included) unique mac pro systems. mac pros running windows bootcamp installs.

sorry length. want sure i've included enough information.

have tried several times install ubuntu couple of different methods:

1) installing "beside" existing os's (os x on main drive, windows , ubuntu on same secondary drive) results in inability install grub, unbuntu cannot boot.

2) installing windows, using bootcamp, onto secondary drive, installing ubuntu onto second secondary drive (with 3 partitions ~ 1 primary efi boot, 1 primary os, , 1 swap ~ on same drive), , still grub refuses install, regardless of drive selected.

second method, realized writing problem related fact linux partitions @ end of drive. said, don't have understanding of boot principles. thought never occurred me until now, because windows installs on last portion of disk without trouble, think may because isn't actual boot files anyway?

bottom line this. i've tried every suggestion , every method think of on own, , though have managed solve quite few problems point can @ least ubuntu os installed without problem, have not yet solved problem of how grub installed properly.

grub not install using ubuntu installer option seem have install manually, no clue how this, or where.


anybody?

in meantime, i'm going try 1 last time install ubuntu it's own secondary drive, partitions @ beginning of drive , see if makes difference. suspect won't, guess it's worth try.

a bit of update may shed light:

okay, i've got os x, windows, , ubuntu (which shows "windows"), showing in option key menu. now, i've been had @ point before, couple of times on last week, of course ubuntu can't load since there no grub, end black screen nothing flashing cursor, point expect. windows boots fine, now, said, have gotten point twice before, , both times, after attempting boot ubuntu (i didn't understand @ time problem ~ missing grub), few times, both times lost ability boot os x.

time know what's going on, i'm not attempt booting ubuntu again yet, until can figure out how manually install grub , where. know if do, i'll lose windows again.

think, , can correct me if i'm wrong (if know), somehow grub missing, bootcamp, or more os x boot order getting messed screwing much.

don't know if has it, seems me ubuntu showing "windows" in option key screen, along fact ubuntu cd shows in bootcamp "windows on ubuntu" (by way, neither windows nor unbuntu installation show in preferences > startup disk screen, os x , cd show up).

above seems indicate mac os extremely confused or isn't available bootable os's.

don't know if of helps reveal useful, i'm hopeful.

Forum The Ubuntu Forum Community Ubuntu Official Flavours Support Installation & Upgrades [SOLVED] OS X 10.6.7, Mac Pro Bootcamp problem

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