Super GRUB2 Disk is an open source project that allows users boot into broken operating systems, in an attempt to try to repair them. It mainly interacts with the GRUB2 bootloader and the booting process of the respective computer.
A complete rewrite of the 1st generation GRUB bootloader
As GRUB2 is a complete rewrite of the 1st generation GRUB bootloader, so is Super GRUB2 Disk, a complete rewrite of the Super GRUB Disk distribution, originally designed to interact with the GRUB bootloader.
When comparing the two editions of the operating system reviewed here, we can immediately notice that Super GRUB2 Disk has been engineered in such a way that it doesn’t write changes to disk drive and it can’t rewrite the MBR (Master Boot Record).
Distributed as a dual-arch Live CD
It is distributed as a single Live CD ISO-hybrid image that supports both 32-bit and 64-bit hardware platforms. When booting the live medium, all you’ll see is a GRUB bootloader with a plethora of options.
First, you will be able to choose your favorite language for the entire system, turn the color of the bootloader on or off, boot an existing operating system manually, as well as to list devices and partitions.
Supports LVM, RAID, PATA and USB
In addition, the distribution provides some extra functionality, especially for the GRUB2 bootloader. For example, you will be able to enable support for LVM (Logical Disk Management), RAID, PATA, and USB, mount encrypted volumes (supports geli and LUKS), and enable serial terminal.
When entering the Boot Manually entry, you’ll see several options that allow you to boot ISO images, existing operating systems installed on the disk drive or to modify important GRUB configuration files on the fly. The extra search functionality will allow you to enable the distro to search in CD-ROM or floppy.
Bottom line
At the moment, Super GRUB2 Disk supports the English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Bahasa Melayu languages, and we can declare it the best tool for booting into broken GRUB bootloaders.
