[Bug 1892236] Re: I keep getting 'Grub-install /dev/sda' failed. This is a Fatal Error

[Launchpad Bug Tracker]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

** Changed in: grub-installer (Ubuntu)
       Status: New => Confirmed

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1892236

Title:
  I keep getting 'Grub-install  /dev/sda' failed. This is a Fatal Error

Status in grub-installer package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  I need help trying to install Ubuntu to my 1st Generation Alienware 17 Laptop. I usually end up with getting the error:
  grub-install /dev/sda' failed.
  this is a fatal error

  I've attempted install with 'Secure Boot' enabled, it gives the error,
  then even i try again with that off, it still gives me that error.

  Here's what i normally do during an install on this laptop: I choose my language, connect to my home wifi network, in "Updates and other software" I leave 'Normal install' as the default option and I make sure 'Download updates while installing Ubuntu' and ' Install Third party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats.' are checked to install.
  On the next screen, I choose 'Erase Disk and install Ubuntu', click next, and I get the prompt:

  If you continue, the changes listed below will be written to the
  disks. Otherwise you will be able to make further changes manually.

  WARNING: This will destroy all data on any partitions you have removed
  as well as on the partitions that are going to be formatted.

  The partition tables up the following devices are changed:
  SCSI2 (0,0,0) (sda)

  The following partitions are going to be formatted:
  partition #1 of SCSI2 (0,0,0) (sda) as ESP
  partition #2 of SCSI2 (0,0,0) (sda) as ext4

  from there I click continue. Then, i enter the time zone, and my computer name, username, and password that im setting for Ubuntu. then i click continue and watch the installer install everything up until the error
  grub-install /dev/sda' failed.
  this is a fatal error`
  shows up then i click ok. then it asks if i want to submit a log to Launchpad (linked below)

  Sometimes, i have rebooted, and went into the Ubuntu Live Desktop from the USB i'm installing from and downloaded boot-repair in the Ubuntu Terminal. After attempting that i am given the error "locked-nvram' (it has a 'try again with Secure Boot disabled' (or something like that) if i am doing this with secure boot enabled, it just gives off the 'locked-nvram' if secure boot is off. Here is a photo of that: https://i.imgur.com/Sb3vtAD.jpg
  Here is my error logs from boot repair that I have uploaded to google drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wk-o2Rej-5BvZIqETFOGF0NakUBq2eH-?usp=sharing

  And here is some more info about my setup

  I have a (I think) 2013 (maybe 14) Alienware 17 laptop. The SSD i am
  using is about 120GB. I have Windows 10 installed on a separate SSD
  that is about 1TB. However, when i attempt to install Ubuntu, i always
  remove the SSD with Windows 10 on it before powering up. I think i
  have attempted to install alongside Windows 10 before on the 1 Tb SSD
  and i believe got the same grub-install error.

  Error Image: https://i.imgur.com/Nerkz4V.jpg

  Link to the my Reddit post about this:

  https://www.reddit.com/r/Ubuntu/comments/ictm5r/i_keep_getting_a_grubinstall_devsda_failed_this/

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
  Package: ubiquity 20.04.15.2
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.4.0-42.46-generic 5.4.44
  Uname: Linux 5.4.0-42-generic x86_64
  NonfreeKernelModules: zfs zunicode zavl icp zcommon znvpair
  ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.4
  Architecture: amd64
  CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
  CasperVersion: 1.445.1
  CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
  Date: Wed Aug 19 14:30:58 2020
  InstallCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/casper/vmlinuz file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu.seed maybe-ubiquity quiet splash ---
  LiveMediaBuild: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20200731)
  ProcEnviron:
   LANGUAGE=en_US.UTF-8
   PATH=(custom, no user)
   XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
   LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   LC_NUMERIC=C.UTF-8
  SourcePackage: grub-installer
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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