How to Kill GRUB?
No, I’m not talking about those worms in the yard – this is a computer problem!
While experimenting with different Linux OS versions to install on my old laptop, the GRUB bootloader was installed. Actually it was installed by DSL (Damn Small Linux). I loved DSL by the way, but it would not recognize my wireless network card.
Slackware 12 did work well with my card. I had tried it out before DSL, but it ran slowly do to the limited RAM on the laptop.
After I got over the disappointment of discovering that DSL would not work with my wireless network card, I decided to reload Slackware again and use Blackbox or Fluxbox as my GUI. At the very end of the Slackware install is the LILO installation. It failed. I am sure because GRUB was already installed there.
No problem, I’ll just uninstall GRUB – simple enough – or so I thought…
After hours and hours or failure, I decided to research this online. There was no straight forward way to do this. I saw tons of others with the same problem, but only a few solutions. I tried every recommendation I could find (short of using a Win98 boot disk – who still has one of those any way?)
24 hours later, I finally removed that nasty GRUB. Here’s how:
1. Downloaded the Ultimate Boot CD 4.1.1
2. Burned the CD from an ISO file using NTI CD Maker Gold on my Windows computer.
3. Used the MBRTool found in the Partition Tools menu option.
I don’t remember the exact options I used but I run several commands using the MBRTool. I just ran every command that had Wipe in the name or description. I wanted that sucker clean – no fooling around this time! I would advise to use more caution if you are determined to save any of the data on the drive.
When I rebooted, it could not find a bootable drive. Perfect, no GRUB left over. Finally a clean fresh drive to start from.
Now, back to the Slackware install…
The moral of the story: Linux is not for those who lack temperment control or determination. Best just to leave it to the geeks!