Uninstall GRUB boot loader!


Recommended Posts

Is there a way to uninstall the GRUB boot loader either through a live Linux CD or some diagnostic boot CD?

Currently I've used my Toshiba restore disk to reformat my system--removing partitions containing Linux--but unfortunately it didn't do anything to the MBR, so now I have a system that will never load any OS and goes into an endless cycle of reboots whenever I hit the power button.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/426708-uninstall-grub-boot-loader/
Share on other sites

You need to overwrite the boot sector of your partition, and the only way to do that is to use the Recovery Console and run fixboot (not fixmbr). You could also install Windows again, which would recreate the boot sector, but then you'd have an extra Windows installation...

Either way, you'll need a Windows CD, so go find one, even if it's a friend's (Y)

I've always just had to use FIXMBR and had it work every time. However, I'm not sure what you can do if you don't have the CD.

There might be the possibility that you can use a win98 boot disk and do the fixboot command. that might work... not sure...

  Fit4130Rider said:
There might be the possibility that you can use a win98 boot disk and do the fixboot command. that might work... not sure...

No, that won't work. Windows 98 boot disks don't contain ANY NT files, and as such are practically useless on NT/2000/XP machines because they run DOS. The Recovery Console is technically NT, AFAIK.

  John said:

No, that won't work. Windows 98 boot disks don't contain ANY NT files, and as such are practically useless on NT/2000/XP machines because they run DOS. The Recovery Console is technically NT, AFAIK.

I do have a very old Windows NT CD. Maybe that'll work?

Or, alternatively, should I just reinstall a version of linux to get a bootloader and then uninstall the boot loader from within linux? I'd get a "Missing operating system" message the next time I boot, but I've gotten that before and the recovery disk was somehow able to correct that problem.

Again, any help would be greatly appreciated.

You have access to the i386 folder anywhere on your hard disk or a restore cd? from windows start > run > (path to i386 folder)\winnt32.exe /cmdcons will install the recovery console which can be accessed when you next boot. Then remove the grub loader as described above

  Jason He said:

what about just installing Linux and removing the MBR completely from that os? would that work?

I doubt it because you'll be left without a mbr rather than it returning to the original windows one. I think you'll have an easier time finding a copy of windows xp home (i presume)

  the_upsetter said:
I doubt it because you'll be left without a mbr rather than it returning to the original windows one. I think you'll have an easier time finding a copy of windows xp home (i presume)

I am pretty sure that it has to be XP Pro, as XP Home does not include the Recovery Console, so you cannot do the fixmbr thing.

I had a similar problem last night when trying a dual boot with Ubuntu and XP Pro. To fix it, I used a Mandrake install CD to get into the partitioner, blitzed all the linux partitions, setup a temp Linux partition, put Mandrake on (with LILO overwriting GRUB at the mbr) and then used the rescue mode of Mandrake to restore the XP bootloader.

That got me into Windows and then I removed the Linux partition using Partition Magic. Now back to XP Pro (single boot) and no problems whatsoever.

  the_upsetter said:

I doubt it because you'll be left without a mbr rather than it returning to the original windows one. I think you'll have an easier time finding a copy of windows xp home (i presume)

Yes, I would be left without an MBR, but the recovery disk appears to be able to repair it.

You could get a GRUB boot disk in order to get into windows. Then do the C:\ <path to i386> \winnt /cmdcons thing, I've done that and it works. When you reboot, it will need the GRUB boot disk again, and then it will give you the menu for XP or Recovery Console. Log in to the RC, and type fixmbr. Voila, done.

I'm pretty sure grub boot disks can boot to a hard drive, anyway.

And is anyone else wondering why this is in XP Client?

Also, sorry to say this mark, but XP Home does have the RC. I've used it.

There are also RC bootable disks, without the OS on it.

  the_upsetter said:

Does it not? Blimey that's a bit of a loss! Best of luck with the Linux route Jason

I suppose I could borrow a friend's XP Home or Pro CD, but i'd rather do it myself.

The problem was, when I used a SUSE Live CD to uninstall the boot loader, it didn't actually complete the operation. When the YAST2 module loaded to give me access to boot loader options, it said that there was a partitioning problem :rolleyes:

If anyone can boot a Linux LiveCD on a Windows box, they can use the dd command to copy out the MBR boot info (however many bytes that is, 446 or something), then you can use a Linux LiveCD to use the dd command to re-write it to your drive without needing to find any other utiltites.

EDIT: Yes, it is 446 bytes: http://www.diydatarecovery.nl/mbr.htm

The command dd if=/dev/hda of=/dev/hda1/mbr.bin bs=446 should work to read the MBR, and place it in a file called "mbr.bin" in the root directory of your first partition (assuming your LiveCD can write to it). You can pick a floppy or some other device, too.

You would have to get a copy of the MBR from another PC. You could do it yourself, if you have another PC.

Disclaimer: I have *NEVER* tried this personally, so cannot vouch that it will work.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • All set as AI did the trick
    • AnyDesk 9.5.7 by Razvan Serea AnyDesk is a fast remote desktop system and enables users to access their data, images, videos and applications from anywhere and at any time, and also to share it with others. AnyDesk is the first remote desktop software that doesn't require you to think about what you can do. CAD, video editing or simply working comfortably with an office suite for hours are just a few examples. AnyDesk is designed for modern multi-core CPUs. Most of AnyDesk's image processing is done con­currently. This way, AnyDesk can utilize up to 90% of modern CPUs. AnyDesk works across multiple platforms and operating systems: Windows, Linux, Free BSD, Mac OS, iOS and Android. Just five megabytes - downloaded in a glimpse, sent via email, or fired up from your USB drive, AnyDesk will turn any desktop into your desktop in se­conds. No administrative privileges or installation needed. AnyDesk 9.5.7 changelog: Fixed Bugs Fixed deadlock when updating chat server Fixed crashes caused by exceptions in internal communication layer Fixed crash when opening new monitor in Session in a new window Fixed crash on shutdown Fixed bug that allowed naming Permission Profiles identical to predefined Profiles Fixed bug that could cause licensed remote clients to show up as free Fixed visual bug that caused Set-Password button to show up when Unattended Access was disabled Fixed bug that lead to selecting the wrong initial resolution for webcams New Features Added command line option --record-screen to start a Screen Recording Other Changes Improved visual consistency in some list views Download: AnyDesk 9.5.7 | macOS ~14.0 MB (Free for private use, paid upgrade available) Links: AnyDesk Home Page | Other platforms | Release History | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • WUT?! Tell us you've never built desktop software without telling us you've never built desktop software... The chromium rendering engine is the content-rendering engine for "chromium-based browsers," but that does NOT mean there's a full-on UI underneath that is somehow bloating these products. The bloat is from the additional UI components that the browser vendor (Vivaldi) is adding atop the base package. Most chromium browsers customize the default skin/theme of the overall package so there's absolutely zero added overhead; it's really just a different CSS-based theme pack. Vivaldi, however, adds more than just a different skin; they add built-in extensions (that are managed by other built-in extensions), add other customization modules, and all kinds of other bloat -- and these add-ons are EXACTLY where the resource-hogging stems from. The mere fact it's a chromium-based browser has no impact on the matter. Lastly, power users literally DO notice resource-intensive applications -- they'll even be familiar with tools and widgets that expose those measurements the way only a power-user would! General consumers, however, would simply remark that their rig is sluggish and probably outdated and blindly upgrade to whatever the salespeople are hawking at the local computer store. General consumers wouldn't even upgrade their existing computer cuz they wouldn't know how to!
    • Nope, they just removed the game from sales.
  • Recent Achievements

    • First Post
      Celilo earned a badge
      First Post
    • One Year In
      K.I.S.S. earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Week One Done
      solidox earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Dedicated
      solidox earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Week One Done
      Devesh Beri earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      438
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      166
    3. 3
      +FloatingFatMan
      151
    4. 4
      Nick H.
      66
    5. 5
      macoman
      63
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!