[Bug 653474] Re: Can't do clean remove of Ubuntu

[Launchpad Bug Tracker]

** Changed in: grub2 (Ubuntu)
       Status: New => Confirmed

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to grub2 in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/653474

Title:
  Can't do clean remove of Ubuntu

Status in Ayatana Ubuntu Love Project:
  New
Status in GRand Unified Bootloader:
  New
Status in Ubiquity:
  Invalid
Status in “grub2” package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  Binary package hint: grub2

  Many beginners try Ubuntu in dual-boot with another OS. Some of them
  want to remove (uninstall) Ubuntu from their computer, whatever the
  reason (don't like Ubuntu, or want to install it on another PC, or
  because Windows won't start after Ubuntu's installation..)

  Currently they can't do it cleanly, whatever the way they choose, they will get one of the following problems :
  - if they had installed Ubuntu via Wubi, they will be unhappy because Windows' bootloader will still be visible
  - if they installed Ubuntu on a separate partition and then format Ubuntu's partition, they won't be able to access Windows any more ( GRUB won't work any more, as it needs files that are on Ubuntu's /boot folder).
  - if Windows was broken by Ubuntu's installation (we see this problem several times per month on ubuntu-fr forum), they currently can't easily restaure the initial situation.

  Generally those users will have to re-install Windows and will
  discourage other people to try Ubuntu.

  This bug won't happen if we add a simple way to remove Ubuntu in a clean way.
  For example :
  1) Ubuntu's installation shall save the MBR and other appropriate bytes before the installer (GRUB, or other if Wubi) writes on them
  2) The live-CD (or other appropriate place) shall propose a way to remove Ubuntu by restauring the bytes saved in 1).

  
  Hope this helps making Ubuntu better.

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ayatana-ubuntu/+bug/653474/+subscriptions