Stuck in GRUB Rescue Mode

Question

I messed up my new laptop while trying to set up a dual-boot with Ubuntu and Windows 8.I did a whole bunch of stuff trying to get it to work and now when I try to boot I get stuck in GRUB's recovery mode with no errors.

My question is: Can I boot from Ubuntu on a USB drive to erase both Windows 8 and Ubuntu to just install Ubuntu? Will this get ride of the GRUB rescue mode problem.

Answer 1

This is already answered here: How to reinstall Grub after burg and tons of other places on this forum.

You are able to boot the Ubuntu installer and erase all of your paritions, but you are also able to save you installs of Ubuntu and Windows but reinstalling GRUB. Once the Ubuntu installer boots, open a command line by pressing Ctlr+Alt+T then type sudo grub-install /dev/sda

Answer 2

Insert your Ubuntu CD, reboot your computer and set it to boot from CD in the BIOS and boot into a live session. You can also use a LiveUSB if you have created one in the past. Install and run

Boot-Repair

Click "Recommended Repair". Now reboot your system. The usual GRUB boot menu should appear. If it does not, hold Left Shift while booting. You will be able to choose between Ubuntu and Windows.

How to install Boot-Repair

sudo apt-get install boot-repair

OR

sudo grub-install

(grub install too)