Grub and the MBR

**LoneWolf071** · 11-14-2004, 12:02 PM

I have Linux and windows installed on seperate disks and i want to use the linux disk for backup. I want to delete linux and take out the hard drive, but when i do, i get a GRUB error everytime. Where is GRUB located on theMBR and how do i fix it o that only windows loads.

joat1 · 11-14-2004, 12:20 PM

You could use the Knoppix Live CD to fix grub.

You will have to open a root shell with it:

Quote:

root@ttyp0[knoppix]# mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1
root@ttyp0[knoppix]# chroot /mnt/hda1
root@Knoppix:/

(more info, take a look at http://www-106.ibm.com/developerwork...obg-SysRecover.)

And then

Quote:

# mount /dev/hda1 /boot
# vim -w /boot/grub/grub.conf

Now, fix the grub error and save.

* Note that /dev/hda1 can be changed to the partition where boot is.
** Note: I hope you know how to use vi/vim.

**LoneWolf071** · 11-14-2004, 02:13 PM

That get's rid of the grub interfece, but it is still on the MBR and i get an error when i tryed to do that.

joat1 · 11-14-2004, 02:47 PM

Ah, sorry about that -- I read your post too fast.

To get rid of LILO on the MBR, use your Windows XP cd and repair the MBR.

**LoneWolf071** · 11-14-2004, 03:33 PM

I don't have the Windoze XP disk and the fixmbr command wipes it clean. do you know where Grub starts on the MBR, becuase when i look at the MBR, there are 4 sections, only 0 and 1 have any data.

joat1 · 11-16-2004, 08:07 PM

Use a Windows boot disk for Windows XP and boot with it. At the A:\> prompt, type:

Quote:

fdisk /mbr

It rewrites (restore) your MBR.

**LoneWolf071** · 11-25-2004, 01:16 PM

I tryed that and it told me that "Missing operating System" so i reloaded linux with grub and it worked to boot windows, but to no avail gettingrig of grub. any other tips.

batty_professor · 11-25-2004, 01:41 PM

Since you're not wanting grub, or any Linux partitions, you leave me at a slight disadvantage to offer help as I'm not a wondoze user. But I understand XP has something called disk management, or manage disks, there should be a way to manage partitions there, where you should be able to delete Linux partitions. Be sure to set your Windoze partition as startable.

**LoneWolf071** · 11-25-2004, 03:23 PM

i'm trying that now, but the problem is that GRUB installs to the MBR, so clearing the linux partition only deletes the grub config files and makes an error.

**STINEHART** · 11-25-2004, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joat1

Use a Windows boot disk for Windows XP and boot with it. At the A:\> prompt, type:

It rewrites (restore) your MBR.

This is the way to fix yoru problem. You need to troubleshoot this instead of looking in other directions.

**Lectraplayer** · 11-25-2004, 07:55 PM

Since you're aparantly wanting to blast Linux and use only Windows, I suggest you get your Windows whatever CD, boot it with CD support, and then use fdisk to remove all undesired partitions and replace them with FAT 32 or NTFS. After doing that, do the usual format procedures. Then run fdisk /mbr and finish by removing the CD and rebooting.

**LoneWolf071** · 11-25-2004, 09:14 PM

Thanks for all your help, but none of it helped, windowz is very stubborn. I found the solution with in A program called Bootit. Download that and run it of the floppy. It will let you see the MBR and adjust it for put the windows partition as the active on. then delete the linux boot partition and your done. took me 5 hours and a million prayers, buut i got it, thanks to all for trying.

Skie · 11-25-2004, 09:35 PM

Which OS is instaled on which hard drive? In other words, is Windows installed on your Master drive and Linux on your Slave drive?

Edit: Opps, just saw that you fixed it. Ignore me.

11-14-2004, 12:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	Grub and the MBR I have Linux and windows installed on seperate disks and i want to use the linux disk for backup. I want to delete linux and take out the hard drive, but when i do, i get a GRUB error everytime. Where is GRUB located on theMBR and how do i fix it o that only windows loads.

11-14-2004, 02:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	That... That get's rid of the grub interfece, but it is still on the MBR and i get an error when i tryed to do that.

11-14-2004, 03:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	I don't have the... I don't have the Windoze XP disk and the fixmbr command wipes it clean. do you know where Grub starts on the MBR, becuase when i look at the MBR, there are 4 sections, only 0 and 1 have any data.

11-25-2004, 01:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	Tryed... I tryed that and it told me that "Missing operating System" so i reloaded linux with grub and it worked to boot windows, but to no avail gettingrig of grub. any other tips.

11-25-2004, 01:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
batty_professor Asst. Manager, Alternative Computing Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hooterville Il 45 mi. east of St. Louis mo Posts: 2,608 OS: Fedora Core 5 for now	Since you're not wanting grub, or any Linux partitions, you leave me at a slight disadvantage to offer help as I'm not a wondoze user. But I understand XP has something called disk management, or manage disks, there should be a way to manage partitions there, where you should be able to delete Linux partitions. Be sure to set your Windoze partition as startable. __________________ It's better to know me and not need me than to need me and not know me. B. While users are never under any obligation, if you feel the urge please feel free to visit our donation page. Every little bit helps. And we thank you for your support. Microsoft free Registered Linux user 397458

11-14-2004, 02:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
joat1 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 160 OS: WinXP,Gentoo,Win98SE	Ah, sorry about that -- I read your post too fast. To get rid of LILO on the MBR, use your Windows XP cd and repair the MBR.

11-25-2004, 03:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	Trying... i'm trying that now, but the problem is that GRUB installs to the MBR, so clearing the linux partition only deletes the grub config files and makes an error.

11-25-2004, 07:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lectraplayer TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 527 OS: Win-XP, Debian/Sarge, and SuSI 9.1	Since you're aparantly wanting to blast Linux and use only Windows, I suggest you get your Windows whatever CD, boot it with CD support, and then use fdisk to remove all undesired partitions and replace them with FAT 32 or NTFS. After doing that, do the usual format procedures. Then run fdisk /mbr and finish by removing the CD and rebooting. __________________ Finally, killed the Window! Microsoft free, baby!!

11-25-2004, 09:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	Got it... Thanks for all your help, but none of it helped, windowz is very stubborn. I found the solution with in A program called Bootit. Download that and run it of the floppy. It will let you see the MBR and adjust it for put the windows partition as the active on. then delete the linux boot partition and your done. took me 5 hours and a million prayers, buut i got it, thanks to all for trying.

11-25-2004, 09:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
Skie Manager, Alternative Comp Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 2,194 OS: Gentoo Linux, CentOS, OS X My System	Which OS is instaled on which hard drive? In other words, is Windows installed on your Master drive and Linux on your Slave drive? Edit: Opps, just saw that you fixed it. Ignore me. __________________ Last edited by Skie; 11-25-2004 at 09:36 PM.