mint@mint ~ $ sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 10.1 GB, 10056130560 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 1222 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000160f7

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1               1        1165     9351168   83  Linux
/dev/sda2            1165        1223      466945    5  Extended
/dev/sda5            1165        1223      466944   82  Linux swap / Solaris
mint@mint ~ $ sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
mint@mint ~ $ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda1
grub-probe: error: cannot find a device for /boot (is /dev mounted?).
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Attempting to install GRUB to a partition instead of the MBR.  This is a BAD idea..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: warn: Embedding is not possible.  GRUB can only be installed in this setup by using blocklists.  However, blocklists are UNRELIABLE and its use is discouraged..
/usr/sbin/grub-setup: error: if you really want blocklists, use --force.
mint@mint ~ $ sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
grub-probe: error: cannot find a device for /boot (is /dev mounted?).
Installation finished. No error reported.
mint@mint ~ $ ls /
bash: /bin/ls: Input/output error
mint@mint ~ $ ls
bash: /bin/ls: Input/output error
mint@mint ~ $ sudo ls
Desktop  Documents  Downloads  Music  Pictures  Public  Templates  Videos
mint@mint ~ $ sudo ls /
bin    dev   initrd.img  media  proc  sbin     sys  var
boot   etc   initrd.lz   mnt    rofs  selinux  tmp  vmlinuz
cdrom  home  lib     opt    root  srv      usr
mint@mint ~ $ sudo su
 ________________________________________
( You enjoy the company of other people. )
 ----------------------------------------
  o
   o   \_\_    _/_/
    o      \__/
           (oo)\_______
           (__)\       )\/\
               ||----w |
               ||     ||
mint mint # grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
grub-probe: error: cannot find a device for /boot (is /dev mounted?).
Installation finished. No error reported.
mint mint #