[SOLVED] how to return to ubuntu without install cd

[rajeevrnair]

I have installed ubuntu on a specific partition...installed windows and mandriva on two other partitions...now i would like to go back to ubuntu..is there any way i can do this unfortunately i have no bootloader installed installed on the ubuntu partition..is there any way to install a bootloader on the mbr or elsewhere to retrieve the ubuntu installation...preferably without live cd

[oz]

i have no bootloader installed installed on the ubuntu partition..is there any way to install a bootloader on the mbr or elsewhere to retrieve the ubuntu installation...preferably without live cd

SuperGRUB is available for USB flash drives if that will work for you. It also comes on the Parted Magic ISO file which is available for flash drives. Both websites have other tools that might work for you, but not sure.

You could also consider reinstalling Ubuntu using UNetbootin and not use a livecd.

Not sure that any of those options will satisfy your needs, but that's all I can think of at the moment. It's possible that you could run into some issues with your fstab file, too, since the partition layout will be changing with the other Windows and Mandriva no longer on the machine.

If it were me, I'd save some time and give myself a fresh start by backing up any important data, doing a fresh install, then restoring the data.

[rokytnji]

In my continuing efforts to dodge and duck Grub2. I now boot one of my computers with Grub4dos.

GRUB4DOS and WINGRUB | Download GRUB4DOS and WINGRUB software for free at SourceForge.net

Main Page - Grub4Dos Wiki

I use it in Puppy and AntiX Mutiilple boot Computer and If I had Windows on it. Grub4dos would pick that up to. One should install grub to / partition though first so as to have a /boot/grub/menu.lst that entries can bbe copied from in case needed. I ran into that with AntiX and a custom Kernel. Needed to edit grub4dos entry for that kernel. Pulled kernel entry from AntiX /boot/grub/menu.lst. Works fine.

[rajeevrnair]

just reinstalled from downloaded live cd...seems ok for now....