Switching to other distros...

cyberbuff · 12-31-2006, 12:53 AM

Dear friends,
I am not sure whether I should post it here.
I am a linux newbie. And currently in triple-boot with WinXP, Ubuntu and Kubuntu. But I want to try some other distros just to learn a bit more. Someone please tell me how to remove these two distros (Ubuntu and Kubuntu; cant leave XP

) without harming any any data in the PC.
Regards
Cyberbuff

macemoneta · 12-31-2006, 12:58 AM

An easier way to play with various distros is to install the free VMWare player or server on either Windows or Linux. You can then install various distributions in virtual machines and try them out. Removing them is just a menu option - much safer and easier.

cyberbuff · 12-31-2006, 01:09 AM

Thanks for your reply. But isnt there any way out to remove these two OSs?
Regards

macemoneta · 12-31-2006, 01:11 AM

Just delete or reformat the partitions.

cyberbuff · 12-31-2006, 01:24 AM

you mean delete it from WindowsXP disk manager? Then I guess I have to reinstall XP. And there will be problem with GRUB...

macemoneta · 12-31-2006, 01:37 AM

Why would you need to reinstall XP? Are the partitions before the Windows partition? There won't be a problem with grub - you will still be able to boot Windows. If you want to remove grub:

If you have a bootable Windows floppy, boot it and run:

fdisk /mbr

If you have a Windows installation CD, boot the CD, choose recovery console and type:

fixmbr

cyberbuff · 12-31-2006, 01:41 AM

Ok as I can get from you, here is what I should do:
Go to windows Disk manager delete the partitions.
Restart with WinXP bootable Cd and select recovery Console. Then run the Command fixmbr.
Please tell me if I am wrong...
Thanks.

macemoneta · 12-31-2006, 01:48 AM

I can't tell you; you haven't answered the question on the partition configuration. Deleting the partitions before the Windows partition will change the Windows drive letter, which will cause Windows to fail.

If Windows is installed in the first primary partition ("c: drive" with no mapping by grub), then yes, the instructions you listed will work.

cyberbuff · 12-31-2006, 01:52 AM

well, i installed Windows before Ubuntu and Kubuntu. i.e these partions are not "before" Windows. Can please tell me what this "no mapping by grub" is?
Thaks

macemoneta · 12-31-2006, 01:56 AM

If Windows was installed initially, and the Linux distributions were installed in free space, then you are OK. Just delete the partitions to free the space at the end of the drive, and restore the master boot record with fixmbr to remove grub.

Mapping is grub's ability to change the apparent order of partitions. It doesn't matter in your case.

cyberbuff · 12-31-2006, 01:59 AM

thanks so much macemoneta, love you. lol