complete uninstall of ubuntu studio, leave Win XP

jbocean · 01-23-2009, 05:29 PM

I have an old Compaq 6000 w/ Win XP, and I tried to experiement w/ Ubuntu Studio 8.04. Now I am looking to completely uninstall Ubuntu. How do I do uninstall the Ubuntu, w/out messing up Win XP?

Junior Hacker · 01-23-2009, 07:38 PM

First, install Windows boot loader if you are currently using grub, instructions are in post #4.

In Windows XP, go to control panel/performance & maintenance/administrative tools/computer management/disk management. Highlight the Ubuntu partition(s) one at a time and right click it, select "delete partition".
Then, to reallocate the free space back to Windows, download and use Bootitng you'll make a bootable CD or floppy to boot into dos mode with to resize the Windows partition, select "Cancel" to the first window that appears so you don't install it and can do maintenace, click on "Partition work" icon and highlight the Windows partition, hit "resize" and wait for error check, then put the maximum amount of megs. it says you have in the new size field.
You can also use Gparted to do the same, but it can't guarantee "Non-destructive resizing for NTFS", no matter how many "Linux users" have used it successfully to resize NTFS. And Bootitng is a much smaller download and free to use/try for 30 days.

yancek · 01-23-2009, 07:39 PM

That's not much useful information to help you.

Do you have any other OS on besides Ubuntu and xp?
How many partitions do you have for Ubuntu?
How many partitions do you have for xp?
What bootloader do you use to boot?
Can you boot into Ubuntu?
If you can, you could run the command: sudo fdisk -l, from a terminal and post the output here.

Since you are the only one who knows where xp is, it would be hard for anyone here to tell you what to do to not damage your xp partition (s), right?

Junior Hacker · 01-23-2009, 07:42 PM

If grub is your boot loader, you can remove it and restore the Windows boot loader following instructions below.

Code:

To restore Windows XP MBR

1: Boot with Windows XP CD in the drive
2: Hit any key to boot from the CD
3: Wait for installer to load drivers in memory
4: When asked to press enter to install, type: r
5: When asked which Windows installation would you like to log onto, 
if there is only one, type: 1  (and hit enter)
6: When asked to type the Administrator password, I hit enter without 
typing anything which will be the administrator password for most OEM 
Windows installations, (No password). If you installed Windows XP 
yourself and added an administrator password, type this password.
7: At the prompt type: fixmbr   (and hit enter)
-**CAUTION** and a warning appear
8: When asked "Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?:" type: y
-The new master boot record has been successfully written.
9: When the prompt returns, type: exit
-The computer re-boots and Windows kernel is loaded.

syg00 · 01-23-2009, 07:48 PM

And personally, I would do that bit first. Then however you delete the Linux partitions won't matter.

vibinlakshman · 01-23-2009, 10:54 PM

So How can I install windows after linux then, it will probably delete my linux partition right..? How to do without disturbing Linux ..?

linuxlover.chaitanya · 01-23-2009, 11:05 PM

No it wont delete linux partitions if you know what you are doing and where you are installing windows. You should always use free space to install new os unless otherwise needed. After installing windows you will need to reinstall grub.
For that you will need to enter the rescue mode and do it. You can search for it here and find and answer though.

vibinlakshman · 01-24-2009, 09:23 AM

While installing windows after linux , there is problem for MBR , windows occupy first part of it, normally its happening to me, is there any thing to make it more clear of my prblm..

r3sistance · 01-24-2009, 09:27 AM

Tacking on a query to someone elses topic isn't really the way to ask things, however the answer was already given to you, "reinstall GRUB" is effectively the answer, vibinlakshman. Grub will then take back the MBR and you can then configure your windows installation within grub to be able to boot windows.

vibinlakshman · 01-26-2009, 12:16 AM

Sorry bro my mistake, i just cant stop my curiosity, that what happened