Reinstalling windows removes GRUB

[evan89]

On my computer, I had installed Windows 98. I created a new partition on my drive and installed Suse Linux 9 on it.
I used the GRUB boot loader. It was working fine. Then for a reason that would be too long to explain I reinstalled windows which wrote over the MBR. I can no longer get in Linux, though Partition Magic shows it's still there. How do I change the MBR so I can boot Linux and Windows (now XP)? Oh I forgot to mention: I don't have the install disks anywhere and I don't want to buy them again.

[oz]

Yeah, that silly Windows OS will overwrite the MBR every time.

If you have access to a Linux box, you could create a grub boot floppy and use it to reinstall grub. I keep a couple of them on hand at all times. Read up on how to make one here:

http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/man...UB-boot-floppy

Another option would be to boot with your Suse install CD. I think it might give you a repair option in there somewhere. It's been a while since I've played with Suse, so I don't remember for sure.

Hope this helps.

[budman7]

Nerderello wrote a great tutorial explaining how to remedy your situation.

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/t93...d-edition.html

It may seem a bit complicated but if you just follow it step-by-step you should be fine.


If you could download the install cds again, they come in really handy.
Go to www.distrowatch.com and look in the Suse section for what you need.
If you are on dial-up or can't burn an iso, check www.linuxcd.org they have really cheap linux cds.

[oz]

Oh I forgot to mention: I don't have the install disks anywhere and I don't want to buy them again.

oops... I missed that part.

If it were me, I wouldn't want to run any OS without having the installation disks handy. Maybe you can get them as suggested by budman7.

[oz]

Hey, just thought of another option. You should be able to reinstall grub using a Knoppix CD.

[_Ali_]

HOw can I do it using knoppix ?

[oz]

HOw can I do it using knoppix ?

Okay, try this for restoring grub to the MBR:

Boot the Knoppix CD, go to a terminal, determine the root partition of your linux system, then mount it "dev" option enabled, with write permissions. If the filesystem isn't mounted you'll need to mount it like this (be sure to change "hda1" and "hda" to match the root location/device in your own system):

sudo mount -o dev,rw /mnt/hda1

if it's already mounted, remount it like this:

sudo mount -o remount,dev,rw /mnt/hda1

now, restore grub like this:

sudo chroot /mnt/hda1 grub-install /dev/hda

if the chroot method doesn't work, try remounting as outlined above and do:

sudo grub-install -root-directory=/mnt/hda1 /dev/hda

If that doesn't work, post back and we'll try something else.