Please help, I want to install Windows XP by removing the Redhat Enterprise 5 Linux which is currently installed. I cant find any way to do this even after trying for 5 days. I tried booting using XP cd or USB. Cant help myself. Linux Hard disk not showing up on such booting and I cant format it. Also, if using bootable XP setup, setup hangs/stops after "Setup is currently checking your hardware configuration..."

Hi,

I experienced the same problem before. Its not really laptop model dependent; it has something to do with the MBR or GRUB (the boot loader that RHEL uses). The problem is that the windows installer is having compatibility problems when a linux system is already installed before it.

Download DBAN from http://dban.sourceforge.net/ and burn it as an ISO. Boot from it and and select something like a fast erase. This utility will totally erase your HD and all known traces of linux from your system. It may take a while to low level format if you have a large capacity HD. But be assured that after wards you wont get stuck at the "Setup is currently checking your hardware configuration..." screen.

Actually, I think you only have to remove the MBR boot code and maybe the partition table.

Do you have a full install CD for XP (as opposed to a recovery disk)?

Thanks Chickenjoy!
I got a solution ... Its GParted Live CD... which did similar thing as you suggested DBAN for.

I think GParted is a great software having support for numerous file system (Windoes, Mac , Linux and others) ... Anyone having similar problem as me, check it out.

wow thanks for sharing Gparted too. It has impressive features.

Hey guys,
This linux stuff is new to me and somehow even I have the same issue red hat 5, 6710sHP and need XP on it I have no idea how to make up the things like what file for boot CD (as there were 3 files in the downloaded WRAR isolinux, syslinux, gparted)so if you guys can tell me what is the procedure (from A to Z a compelete walkthrough).

many thanks in advance

Download the iso file from here.
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gpa...6&big_mirror=0

then write the iso file on to a cd with some writing software like nero, power iso, cheetah dvd burner, or ashampoo.

then you will get bootable cd of Gparted.

in BIOS option of your pc, change primary boot device to cd drive and restart with Gparted cd in drive.

Follow instructions by reading them .... if any problem reply here again.

I am adding you to my yahoo messenger, add me if you need help.

Hey Bro,
Downloaded the files made a CD out of it from Nero, when my lappy starts gives an option for pressing F9 for making a choice for boot


!Select Boot Device!
Optical Disk Drive
Notebook Hard Drive
Network Controller
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Use (Arrows) to move the highlight to
your Choice. Press Enter to Choose.



I choosed Opticle Disk Drive and after a second this thing came up....



Starting caldera DR-DOS...

EMM386 3.27 Copyright (c) 1992, 1998 Caldera, Inc. All Rights reserved.
Frame=D400 KB=32768
DPMS 1.44 Copyright (c) 1992, 1998 Caldera, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Then no change. Didi i missed something or what????

Vimal

You could simply delete all of the partitions using fdisk. Fdisk will be in any live distro or install disk. You can boot into the rescue mode and delete the linux partition. Then the windows installer can use the freed up space.