How to avoid grub rescue

[epik788]

I'm working on a managed desktop at work with Scientific Linux so I decided to install latest Ubuntu 10.10 on my laptop, an Aspire 6930, and set it up so it dual boots with Windows Vista.

It boots for the first time,everything looks great and it asks me to update some programs.After it does that,I restart and I get a grub rescue message while there was a strange clicking sound coming from the hard disk. I reinstall Ubuntu through BIOS with a CD and I bring the system to the original state.

I can now boot either with Ubuntu or Vista but I don't dare update the programs it prompts me to as I fear it will lead to the same result. It's been like this for the past month and I was wondering if there is a way to know what actually caused the problem in the first place assuming that is has to do with a program that was updated.

Truth is that the specific model has this problem with the hard disk that makes that constant clicking. When running Vista I have a program called Notebook Hardware Control which lowers some settings and stops the clicking.When running Ubuntu, there isn't any. So is there a way to know which program can cause such an error and refrain from updating it?
Thanks,
Euri.

[firbolg]

Sounds like an issue with updating grub packages, vague recollections of seeing similar on other forums.

I'd update - but disable the grub packages from the updater, reboot and try to update the grub packages the second time.

If that leads to grub rescue - try reinstalling grub with your livecd/usb

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Gr...ing%20GRUB%202

I am assuming that this is a 'real' dual-boot and not a wubi install.