How do i remove a boot loader?

FB · 10-23-2004, 01:57 PM

i was installing Madrake 10.1 last nite and i could get it configured properly, so i deleted the install and i am going to wait for my Ubuntu discs to show up.

anyway, i now have the Lilo bootloader installed, but no linux partition anymore, therefore i don't need the bootloader and it is tedius to have to pick windows each time to boot it up.

anyone?

TweakHound · 10-23-2004, 02:07 PM

Never used lilo in a dual-boot but I would assume fdisk /mbr.
(better hold off on that until someone confirms it)

FB · 10-23-2004, 02:10 PM

yea, i don't want to trash the HDD on my laptop

**k0NG0** · 10-23-2004, 02:13 PM

This should apply for any distro.

http://portal.suse.com/sdb/en/2002/0...tall_lilo.html

FB · 10-23-2004, 02:16 PM

well, i am screwed then

Quote:

Procedure with Windows XP
Under Windows XP, you can restore the original MBR (thus uninstalling Lilo) as follows:

Boot from the Windows XP CD, press the key "R" in the setup in order to start the restoration console. Select your Windows XP installation from the list, and enter the administrator password. Enter the command "FIXMBR" at the input prompt and confirm the next question with "y". Finally, use "exit" to restore the computer.

i don't have the CD for this computer( it is leased thru my school) nor do i have the password associated with the account named "administrator"

TweakHound · 10-23-2004, 02:17 PM

Any XP CD will do it, and any administrator account will do.

FB · 10-23-2004, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TweakHound

Any XP CD will do it, and any administrator account will do.

if that is the case, i will try it when i get home

FB · 10-23-2004, 07:10 PM

Ok, it doesnt work because you need the actual "administrator" account password, not just any admin account, the main one

i am going to install Ubuntu Linux now and hope i don't corrupt it.

RicgorE · 10-23-2004, 07:24 PM

If my memory serves me. Boot to mdk10 cd1. F1 for options. Type rescue at the bash prompt. choose restore windows bootloader.

FB · 10-23-2004, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RicgorE

If my memory serves me. Boot to mdk10 cd1. F1 for options. Type rescue at the bash prompt. choose restore windows bootloader.

wow, that took 15 seconds to do, thanks a lot

i will have to remember that if i trash the drive ever ( i have done it 3 times in the past trying to mess with linux....)

wallijonn · 10-23-2004, 07:40 PM

Ubuntu will remove the old LILO and install GRUB in its place.

I would not have sweated it - I would have just changed the default OS to boot up and set the time to 1 second.

FB · 10-23-2004, 07:57 PM

but i couldn't change it because i had deleted the partition already.

**SubZero** · 10-25-2004, 06:57 AM

You don't need the CD.

Just get a win xp bootdisk (www.bootdisk.com), put fdisk on it (if not on it allready) and type:

fdisk /mbr

And do make sure your boot.ini and other files are in order....

bixlorr · 10-26-2004, 08:47 PM

Actually, the fastest way to clear any OS from any HD is a utility from IBM called ZAP ... Zap will delete the first 120 bits on track 0 on any HD, thus any new OS install will see this as a virgin HD.

Just do a file search in the IBM downloads section for zap, all you need is a very basic DOS boot up disk, and run ZAP 0 [zero] to clear the first HD on the IDE bus, NOTE this will clear ALL partitions on the physical HD.
This even works on SCSI & RAID systems ...

ChAsM · 10-26-2004, 10:00 PM

Another way. Simply boot to a command line in linux (Install Disk or your revcovery disk you did make) and type "lilo -u". Then do an fdisk /mbr.

10-23-2004, 01:57 PM	#1
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	How do i remove a boot loader? i was installing Madrake 10.1 last nite and i could get it configured properly, so i deleted the install and i am going to wait for my Ubuntu discs to show up. anyway, i now have the Lilo bootloader installed, but no linux partition anymore, therefore i don't need the bootloader and it is tedius to have to pick windows each time to boot it up. anyone? __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
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10-23-2004, 02:07 PM	#2
TweakHound . Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 2,669	Never used lilo in a dual-boot but I would assume fdisk /mbr. (better hold off on that until someone confirms it) __________________ My Blog
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10-23-2004, 02:10 PM	#3
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	yea, i don't want to trash the HDD on my laptop __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
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10-23-2004, 02:13 PM	#4
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,630	This should apply for any distro. http://portal.suse.com/sdb/en/2002/0...tall_lilo.html __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
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10-23-2004, 02:17 PM	#6
TweakHound . Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 2,669	Any XP CD will do it, and any administrator account will do. __________________ My Blog
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10-23-2004, 07:10 PM	#8
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	Ok, it doesnt work because you need the actual "administrator" account password, not just any admin account, the main one i am going to install Ubuntu Linux now and hope i don't corrupt it. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

10-23-2004, 07:24 PM	#9
RicgorE Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: MIddletown, NY Posts: 76	If my memory serves me. Boot to mdk10 cd1. F1 for options. Type rescue at the bash prompt. choose restore windows bootloader. __________________ Asus P4C800-ed p4 3.0c @ 3.55 GHz 512MB OCZ pc4000 el gold ATI Radeon 9700pro Audigy2 Ubuntu 5.04 /winxpsp2
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10-23-2004, 07:40 PM	#11
wallijonn PHX Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,569	Ubuntu will remove the old LILO and install GRUB in its place. I would not have sweated it - I would have just changed the default OS to boot up and set the time to 1 second.
(Offline)

10-23-2004, 07:57 PM	#12
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	but i couldn't change it because i had deleted the partition already. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

10-25-2004, 06:57 AM	#13
SubZero Moderator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Below sealevel Posts: 9,665	You don't need the CD. Just get a win xp bootdisk (www.bootdisk.com), put fdisk on it (if not on it allready) and type: fdisk /mbr And do make sure your boot.ini and other files are in order.... __________________ Main Rig: Asus P5K \| Intel Core Quad Q6600 \| Corsair XMS 6400-4gig eVGA GeForce 8800 GTX KO ACS3 \| X-Fi ExtremeMusic \| Z-5500D OCZ GameXstream 850W \| ThermalTake Aguila \| Logitech G-15 Logitech MX1000 \| Synology DS-207+ NAS (2x500WD-SATA2-RAID0)
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10-26-2004, 08:47 PM	#14
bixlorr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 12	Actually, the fastest way to clear any OS from any HD is a utility from IBM called ZAP ... Zap will delete the first 120 bits on track 0 on any HD, thus any new OS install will see this as a virgin HD. Just do a file search in the IBM downloads section for zap, all you need is a very basic DOS boot up disk, and run ZAP 0 [zero] to clear the first HD on the IDE bus, NOTE this will clear ALL partitions on the physical HD. This even works on SCSI & RAID systems ...
(Offline)

10-26-2004, 10:00 PM	#15
ChAsM Passionately Objective Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: MD Posts: 917	Another way. Simply boot to a command line in linux (Install Disk or your revcovery disk you did make) and type "lilo -u". Then do an fdisk /mbr. __________________ --PeAcE-- <---ChAsM---<< Loyalty is an honorable trait. Enmity is disgraceful.
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