Grub went bye-bye :(

[Tuork]

I just completed a re-install of windows vista home premium on my laptop.

I previously had a dual boot with Fedora Core 8 and the got along nicely, but now Vista has decided to eliminate my GRUB and now I can't access Fedora.
:(

Anyone know how I can fix this?

Thanks.

[whig]

Boot from any Linux live/CD that starts with grub. Press c for a command line and
root (hd0,?)
setup (hd0)
where ? is the partition in grub numbering. Good luck.

[Tuork]

Wait, which partition are you referring to with '?' ??
The one where Linux is? Windows?
How do I know this? Because the problem I have is that this Dell contraption has an additional unallocated 1gb partition, as well as MediaDirect partition (which I don't use, but it's there).

A bit more detailed instructions would be greatly appreciated.

[whig]

Okay, usually it goes sda1=(hd0,0) sda2=(hd0,1) sda3=(0,2)

So if Linux is on /dev/sda2 use (hd0,1). The "setup (hd0)" sets the new boot sequence of the MBR. Don't "setup (hd0,?)" on a non-Linux partition ever. A way to check consistency to yourself is to type "cat (hd0," and press TAB. Good 'ol tab completion again. It'll list partition IDs, Linux filesystems being 0x83. While at its command line "help" lists what grub can do.

So use the two commands to update your MBR. As you found out OS installs can sometimes decide to commandeer the MBR. Miffs me too.

[Tuork]

Thanks mate. I'll give this a try later today.