Solved Grub - Modifying OS sequence, Deleting/Removing entries
- Thread starter JohnJ
- Start date
Solved issue
I'm thinking that
...may be the simplest solution - time-consuming for you, but more likely to remove phantom Debian references in the Grub Menu.
Is the Seagate, /dev/sda, an internal drive or an external drive?
...may be the simplest solution - time-consuming for you, but more likely to remove phantom Debian references in the Grub Menu.
Is the Seagate, /dev/sda, an internal drive or an external drive?
Internal. No external drives/usbs/etc connected
OK, then if you go the reinstall path, install first the one you ultimately want second on the Grub Menu, because the second when installed will move to first.
OK. A Thought.
Rather than a full wipe then ext4 format for the 500gb SSD what if I just Nuke the two current Mint and Ubuntu partitions, reformat as ext4 then install my Foxclone Mint and Ubuntu backups back into the original partitions. I guess that this may not work as the current Grub will still be somewhere lurking. This may not be the case after a full Nuke, reformat then clean install. My limited understanding is that only during a clean install (not just replacing a backup image) does Mint and Ubuntu organise a new boot amongst themselves. I don't really know what I am talking about but would installing backups into the partitions be worth a go?
I haven't used Foxclone, Brian @Condobloke and Bob @bob466 know much more about it than I,
I use Timeshift for all my needs, and I can instruct it, when restoring, to update or not update the bootloader (grub).
I use Timeshift for all my needs, and I can instruct it, when restoring, to update or not update the bootloader (grub).
You may need to nuke /dev/sda2 on the Seagate, it is an EFI System Partition that may be involved in the Phamtom Debian entry. Deletion of it will not affect the rest of the partitions on /dev/sda.
Another thought (Ive got a few of them)
What if I do completely Nuke the 500gb SSD, format as ext4 then do a bare bones install of Mint and Ubuntu so that they can get a new Grub organised between them
Already done this - I am quick on the Nuke button. Now my 2tb SSD only has my basic data, etc partitions.
Another thought (Ive got a few of them)
What if I do completely Nuke the 500gb SSD, format as ext4 then do a bare bones install of Mint and Ubuntu so that they can get a new Grub organised between them and then reinstall my Foxclone image backups for Mint and Ubuntu.
Actually I have Timeshift backups of Mint and Ubutu as wellAnother thought (Ive got a few of them)
What if I do completely Nuke the 500gb SSD, format as ext4 then do a bare bones install of Mint and Ubuntu so that they can get a new Grub organised between them and then reinstall my Foxclone image backups for Mint and Ubuntu.
Just a tip - don't keep hitting the Reply button at the right, you are quoting yourself, which we have already seen.
Go to the bottom and use the empty pane that is ready for input.
Go to the bottom and use the empty pane that is ready for input.
It says
"Write your reply"
"Write your reply"
ok. Got it
I can't guess without the Foxclone knowledge.
If they do not pre-date when Debian was introduced, they may just re-introduce Debian to the Grub Menu.
If you have usb sticks with the Ubuntu and Linux Mint iso's prepared on them, either of them will have GParted on them that you can use to nuke the partitions on /dev/nvme0n1. Once the GParted operations are complete, you can install your first distro.
Yep. No worries. I have both available via Ventoy Plus I can do the Nuking from inside Foxclone as well.
Here goes. If you don't hear back from me I've been Nuked.
Thanks for all your help. Will let you know how it goes.
Here goes. If you don't hear back from me I've been Nuked.
Thanks for all your help. Will let you know how it goes.
Hi JohnJ
First thing I noticed that you may have 2tb sata hdd not ssd
Secondly for changing boot order I think you should use grub or any other boot loader not the bios boot manager.
Previously I used grub4dos for puppy Linux or debiandog, which has menu.lst for easily add, edit, or delete any boot entry.
Now I use grub2win for dual boot Linux with windows 11. It has gui interface to add, delete or changing boot order.
First thing I noticed that you may have 2tb sata hdd not ssd
Secondly for changing boot order I think you should use grub or any other boot loader not the bios boot manager.
Previously I used grub4dos for puppy Linux or debiandog, which has menu.lst for easily add, edit, or delete any boot entry.
Now I use grub2win for dual boot Linux with windows 11. It has gui interface to add, delete or changing boot order.
Thanks Yes. You are correct. HDD not SSD for the 2t.
Yes, I understand the boot order situation in grub. The reason I made changes via the bios boot manager is that it overwrites grub and has its own funny looking menu. Grub has the correct menu and I needed to get to this by changing the sequence in the bios boot manager. I suspect Debian made the default changes in the bios boot manager or the reverse - the Bios boot manager responded to the debian install and responded with a different default. Regardless, I couldn't get to the proper grub booter without the change in the bios.
I am half way through my clean install - Ubuntu first then Mint. Grub is now (finally) behaving itself. Cheers
