Uninstalling Linux & Installing Windows 7

Hi, I want to uninstall Linux and install Windows 7 onto my computer. I have a Windows 7 disc. I put my Windows 7 disc in and turned on my computer, it just took me to my Linux login page. From being logged into my computer, I reinserted the disc and it did not boot. Instead it took me to a folder for the disc; when I tried to boot from there it told me to select an application to boot from. I have no idea what application to use. Furthermore, I don't know how to uninstall Linux (I have Linux Mint 16.)
I tried using the Linux support IRC channel but no one helped me. Could someone tell me what to do?

You have to tell your computer to start from the DVD. When you start your machine you should see a message like "Press F8 for boot menu" or similar, possibly with a different key for the boot menu. Press that key and choose your DVD from the menu.
You don't need to uninstall Linux, just remove all present partitions in the Windows installer.
Keep in mind that installing Windows will delete all the data on the disk, so if you want to keep data you will have to make backups first.

The first thing I would do is check the BIOS settings; it could be that booting from the optical drive is disabled or is set below booting from the hard drive.

During POST, you should see a message that says something like "Press [somekey] to enter setup." That should take you to the BIOS settings where you can check the sequence of the boot devices. The key is usually a function key, DEL, or ESC..

You may have to hunt about. The setting is hidden in different places in different BIOS's.

You won't have to uninstall Linux. Just have the Windows installer reformat the drive and install over it.

You don't really 'uninstall' operating systems. The general process is to simply re-format the partitions you want to use. From your post, it does seem as though you have not set the DVD to first boot priority in the BIOS and that is likely your problem as suggested above. You can't install Linux while booted into windows although there have are programs like Virtual that will do that. Totally different setup. The key to tap to enter the BIOS should show on the screen on boot prior to your boot menu.

Thanks for the responses guys. I figured out how to boot the disc. But now I have another problem. I'm given the option to restore my computer from a system image, and I have no idea what that means. I have the option to load drivers, but I don't know what to load. Does anyone know?

The last version of Windows that I installed from disk was Windows 2000 server.

This might help: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...#1TC=windows-7

Originally Posted by frankbell The last version of Windows that I installed from disk was Windows 2000 server. This might help: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...#1TC=windows-7

Didn't help. That's all about upgrading from different Windows versions.

My gut instinct is to tell the install routine, "no, do not restore disk image," as you don't have one to restore, then have it load drivers, and see what the next step is, but I have no way of testing this.

This might help.

http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Windows-7-for-Beginners

It also seems to depend on what type of Windows 7 disc you have, an upgrade or a full-install disc. If it's an upgrade disc, it wants to see an existing Windows install before it will cooperate.

Beyond that, I'm sorry to have to say I'm out of ideas. It's been a long time since I had to install Windows and MS has changed their licensing options so much that I don't think I can come up with anything else.

Good luck.

I think installing any legitimate os should take care of deleting/formatting partitions at the request of the use during the install.

I'm given the option to restore my computer from a system image,

I would expect a message like that if it is booting or trying to boot from a recovery partition from an OEM install. If you have never had windows installed before, that would not be it. Do you have a full windows installation CD/DVD?

If you are missing the install media

http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technol...download-links


Your key will work for both the 32 bit (x86) and 64 bit (x64)

Originally Posted by Firerat If you are missing the install media http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technol...download-links Your key will work for both the 32 bit (x86) and 64 bit (x64)

From http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technol...download-links

Digtal River provides these downloads via Microsoft Azure. Since this is an official download channel, you can be sure to receive setup files that are virus-free, secure, legitimate and untouched. Downloading the files from Digital River is absolutely legal and completely free of charge. Without a legally obtained product key however, any Windows 7 installation will only run for 30 days. Afterwards, it needs to be activated, or the evaluation timer be reset.

Too keep things neat & without LQ Rules violation. Link allowed to provide service to our members who need a legal avenue to assist others or themselves with recovery images for a Legal Microsoft Windows 7 install or recovery. You must have a legal product key to enable the downloaded/installed image on a system.

Play nice!

If you still have Linux installed, could you post the output of

sudo fdisk -l

(that's a lower-case 'L')

This might tell us if you still have the recovery partition or not. However, depending on the OEM, I might not use the recovery partition at all since it comes with so much junk installed.

Originally Posted by maples I might not use the recovery partition at all since it comes with so much junk installed.

true, but the upside is that you have no 'missing driver' issues.
Then there is pcdecrapifier, which does a fine job of removing all that junk.
http://pcdecrapifier.com/

License details within that link

And since updates will take forever waiting for click on install, restart....30sec -> hoursssss .. check updates ..1-10min.. install ... ??? ,and so on.

http://www.wsusoffline.net/
License : GNU GPL

Basically, download all in one go, burn a disk or create 'USB drive' / {shared}folder

Fire it up, tick stuff and go
option to auto reboot and resume

Looking at ways to do that with linux ( "with" not "for" )
Well... I plan to at some point, not started yet.
Primarily so I can automate the update of the updates

Originally Posted by Firerat Then there is pcdecrapifier, which does a fine job of removing all that junk. http://pcdecrapifier.com/

Unusual name for the program, but sadly it is a very accurate term...