saving a windows installation in a dual boot system

priyankdce · 07-07-2006, 05:54 AM

I have adual boot system with RHLinuxEntr 3.0 and windows XP.GRUB is my bootloader.Now I want to uninstall linux without disturbing the existing windows installation.

Nylex · 07-07-2006, 05:57 AM

There are tons of threads on LQ about this. Generally there are two things you need to do:

1. Delete your Linux partition(s) (which can be done from Windows).
2. Restore Windows' bootloader with "fixmbr".

Do a search and you should find detailed instructions.

priyankdce · 07-07-2006, 06:09 AM

What exactly do i need to specify in fixmbr (using Recovery console) to make my system up with existing windows xp OS.

pixellany · 07-07-2006, 07:28 AM

Boot from the install CD--select rescue mode and (I think) console. When you get to a prompt, type "fixmbr". I am not aware of any options.

kinetik · 07-07-2006, 08:37 AM

I remember last time I did something similar.

It came down to having to set the Windows Partition as active using a good disk utility. Knoppix's QTParted works great.

saikee · 07-07-2006, 10:43 AM

Last link of my signature documents two methods.

In the CD method, which can come from either XP or Win2k, you boot the CD up and wait until the first question comes up. Select repair "Recovery Console" and this drops you into a terminal mode. The command

Code:

fixmbr

has no parameter. It just asks the installer to replicate MS's MBR into the first sector of the hard disk. It does display a warning to scare the user though. Just bite the bullet and press enter.

The second method is to use a Dos floppy. Again no parameter is needed. just type

Code:

fdisk /mbr

MS's MBR is 512 bytes long. Its function is to search and load any of the 4 primary partitions that has the active flag switched on. It is common among all Dos and Windows systems.