Removing Linux

Norman_Castle

I recently installed linux on my xp computer in a seperate partition and now want it gone. Apparently if I remove the partitions I will need a XP recovery disc. How do I make a recovery disc. Every guide tries to put all of my files onto a floppy disc!. I am not trying to save my files, I just need access to windows as apparently I will need to repair my master boot record.

This is the most legible guide I have found. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-safely-uninstall-ubuntu-in-windows-dual-boot-environment/

I do not have a windows CD but may be able to borrow one. Will this work?

stilltheone

Make and model of machine? Flavour of OS?

free4440273

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I recently installed linux on my xp computer in a seperate partition and now want it gone. Apparently if I remove the partitions I will need a XP recovery disc. How do I make a recovery disc. Every guide tries to put all of my files onto a floppy disc!. I am not trying to save my files, I just need access to windows as apparently I will need to repair my master boot record.

This is the most legible guide I have found. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-safely-uninstall-ubuntu-in-windows-dual-boot-environment/

I do not have a windows CD but may be able to borrow one. Will this work?

a borrowed Windows OS cd will work, yes. a clean install might be the best option.

Naf

I would definitely go for a clean install if possible. Get your personal files onto a memory stick and just install Win XP right over the top of the lot. You can go tweaking with existing partitions and make two back into one etc. but I wouldn't do it.

Other, probably simpler option, would be to boot into Windows, right click on 'My Computer' and go to 'Manage'. From here you'll be able to re-format the partition into the NTFS file system and just have a blank section of drive to start using. This has no risk of affecting the Win XP partition, and so long as Windows is functioning fine it doesn't need more space. Store your personal files in the freed-up partition; this way if Windows goes wrong your data is safer. I run my PC this way anyway...

DVardysShadow

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I recently installed linux on my xp computer in a seperate partition and now want it gone. Apparently if I remove the partitions I will need a XP recovery disc. How do I make a recovery disc. Every guide tries to put all of my files onto a floppy disc!. I am not trying to save my files, I just need access to windows as apparently I will need to repair my master boot record.

This is the most legible guide I have found. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-safely-uninstall-ubuntu-in-windows-dual-boot-environment/

I do not have a windows CD but may be able to borrow one. Will this work?

What is the underlying problem? Is it that your linux installation does not let you use windows? And that given a straight choice between the 2, you need windows more? If that is the case, it may be more straight forward to sort out your dual boot.

Linbox

A xp recovery disk or usb then fixmbr then you'll need to resize the winblows partition

google - download xp recovery console

Boot with the XP installation or recovery console CD.
When prompted, press R to repair a Windows XP installation.
If repairing a host with multiple operating systems, select the appropriate one (XP) from the menu. If you have only one operating system, enter 1 to select it.
Enter the administrator password if prompted.
To fix the MBR, use the following command:
fixmbr
This assumes that your installation is on the C:\ drive. You will be presented with several scary warning lines the reading of which will make you want to say no. Microsoft is exceptionally vague regarding the conditions under which fixmbr can cause problems although they are clear about the consequences (losing all data on the hard drive), so use this at your own risk.
Type y and ENTER to fix the MBR.
Type exit to leave the recovery console and reboot.

Norman_Castle

What is the underlying problem? Is it that your linux installation does not let you use windows? And that given a straight choice between the 2, you need windows more? If that is the case, it may be more straight forward to sort out your dual boot.

Thanks for all the replies. I am trying to remove ubunto and its partitions as it is causing problems on start up. I've had xp for a long time and was advised to try ubunto. I installed it to run from the disc, part of this included instaling a dual boot screen with choices between windows and ubunto on start up. Windows was fine but ubunto seemed slow so I did a full install including updates. Since this install, on start up there is an extra screen very similar to the screen shown at the start of this page http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-...t-environment/ titled GNU GRUB VERSION 1.97 beta4. After scrolling down and selecting windows the dual boot screen appears as above. Since installing ubunto fully, windows has been much slower to open and sometimes the network connection fails requiring repair. This was not a problem pre ubunto. If I can remove the grub stage on start up and fix the slow start up of windows I am happy to leave ubunto parked unused on its partition if this is the easiest solution.

stilltheone

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I am trying to remove ubunto and its partitions as it is causing problems on start up. I've had xp for a long time and was advised to try ubunto. I installed it to run from the disc, part of this included instaling a dual boot screen with choices between windows and ubunto on start up. Windows was fine but ubunto seemed slow so I did a full install including updates. Since this install, on start up there is an extra screen very similar to the screen shown at the start of this page http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-...t-environment/ titled GNU GRUB VERSION 1.97 beta4. After scrolling down and selecting windows the dual boot screen appears as above. Since installing ubunto fully, windows has been much slower to open and sometimes the network connection fails requiring repair. This was not a problem pre ubunto. If I can remove the grub stage on start up and fix the slow start up of windows I am happy to leave ubunto parked unused on its partition if this is the easiest solution.

Thank you for thanking me... but you neglected to reply to my question.

Norman_Castle

Thank you for thanking me... but you neglected to reply to my question.

HP pavillion 7916. win xp pro sp3

John_Gray

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Real anarchists wear socks with sandals.

Speaking as one who does this (since sandals are really only shoes with holes in them):
Anarchists drink bad tea because all proper tea is theft...

Mondez

You will need to use a partition manager to remove the ubuntu partition, search for "gparted live" for a free bootable disc image you can write to a CD and boot from. You will need to remove the linux partitions and resize the ntfs one to use the full disk again. The graphical interface is a bit sparse and you should read up on how you actually use it a bit first since it seems you haven't done this sort of thing before.
Once you've done that you will need to fix the boot loader using the windows recovery console as described by other users.