the most foolproof way to restore ubuntu to boot in the bootloader

i installed windows xp after installing ubuntu.
ive tried putting it on the windows bootloader, the directions i had i think must have skipped something..
i tried installing mandriva separately reinstalling the grub bootloader, in text mode, got a different error.
i tried installing ubuntu again, it didnt detect my hard drive in sata or ata
anything i should try that would be a lot easier?

 

http://gag.sourceforge.net/

make a GAG cd and install it

it's ugly, but it works and it is easy to tweak

 

http://themoth.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/reinstall-grub-after-windows-install-on-dual-boot-system/

Works for me 100% of the time.

 

Thanks! I'll probably end up doing this on my desktop, since I tweaked XP up a bit, and now it won't recognize my media player. Reinstall time!

 

didnt work. some random error. im going to try the other thing, if it doesnt work then i will figure out more error info