The proper way to uninstall OpenSUSE 11.2

[lindsey]

To uninstall SUSE my approach is

1. Delete SUSE partition from WinXP
2. Recover MBR with WinXP recovery tools, using specifically "fixmbr"


HOWEVER, this always leads to complications - as in GRUB errors persist on booting and fixmbr does not seem to restore original MBR!

Can someone tell me what I must do to restore my MBR, minding that the standard approach I've described doesn't seem to work?

Alternatively, suggest a cleaner method for uninstalling SUSE while perserving WinXP.

[devils casper]

Un-install GRUB before deleting SUSE Partitions. Execute fixmbr command in Windows OS repair prompt and if it works fine, remove SUSE Partitions using Disk Management Tool of Windows OS.

[lindsey]

Un-install GRUB before deleting SUSE Partitions.

How does one go about un-installing GRUB?

[linuxforever]

You could do the following.

Boot on the Parted Magic CD.
Select the windows xp partition (it would be the first partition).
Look if the boot-bit is set.
If not set it to boot.
This way the windows partition is set to boot.

[lindsey]

You could do the following.

Boot on the Parted Magic CD.
Select the windows xp partition (it would be the first partition).
Look if the boot-bit is set.
If not set it to boot.
This way the windows partition is set to boot.

Does this ensure the system is purged of GRUB? That GRUB is neither in control, nor are their traces of it left on the boot record that could cause complications later?

[linuxforever]

No, that doesn't remove GRUB.

But you have to start somewhere and do and try something.
So look first if the windows partition is set to boot, or try it.

After that try fixmbr and that's to fix the MBR (of the HDD).
But there is also the command fixboot.
To fix the boot on that partition.
Of course you need to be in windows command to use these commands.

Maybe there is an option to uninstall GRUB, but I don't know that at this point.

If I have to solve a problem, I try to solve it step by step in a logical manner.

[yancek]

I'd agree with devils caspers suggestion. You should just overwrite Grub in the mbr. Check this site which has several options to do just what you want:

How to uninstall GRUB

If you're not clear on their instructions, post back with specific questions.

[lindsey]

Hey some help here. When I restored mbr with fixmbr using XP recovery disk, lo and behold, the grub boot screen came up again. What the hell?

fixmbr recognised unfamiliar changes to the masterboot record, and it overrided them, yet GRUB pops up again the next time I boot!

[yancek]

The notes I have for repairing xp mbr are below. Never used xp so have no personal experience

WINDOWS: Use w98 boot disk and type "fdisk /mbr" OR:

use xp cd, enter "R" (for recovery?) in setup, select xp from list, enter password, enter FIXMBR, if that doesn't work enter "FIXBOOT"

Did you try any of the other options in the link I posted, the dd command? Do you still have Opensuse to try that?

How many hard drives do you have?

[lindsey]

I have gone thru the standard XP recovery procedure. That's precisely why I'm confused at the moment - it apparently succeeded in writing a new boot record, but GRUB is still there! I do not have the same problems with any other Linux distro, using the same procedure.