OpenSUSE Install :: 11.3 Will Not Boot Without CD On MacBook Pro

One my macbook pro I have previously had 11.1 and Kubuntu Lucid working (mostly) fine*. I tried 11.3 - the install went fine but now the machine will not boot from the HD. The only way I can get it to boot is via the CD. The best diagnosis I can make is that the installation screwed up the partition table such that I cannot make refit gptsync. Simple put the GPT/EFI partition table (which is required to boot the mac) is out of sync with the MBR partition table (required by grub to boot suse 11.3). I have tried various disk tools from OSX, refit and linux (parted) and none makes any difference (parted is ignorant of the problem, OSX disk tool doesn't know about linux partitions, bootcamp won't touch the disk and refit says "analysis inconclusive, won't touch this disk"). It looks like I am screwed and will have to reformat the disk before reverting to lucid.

11.1 - no screen dimming, no sound, no wireless, no fn keys, poor trackpad, screen ok under kde 3
Lucid - mostly everything worked except for an infuriating "krandr" type problem when using an external screen for presentation (krandr etc were turned off but the screen kept trying to resize during movies). sound ok, screen dimming ok, fn keys ok, trackpad ok, wireless ok. Transition
kernel too old for comedi
11.3 - no screen dimming, no fn keys, no wireless and won't boot, runs hot, short battery life.