Hi, I've tried to put Linux (fedora2) in an old computer, but it was too slow. Now I have to put windows98 back.
How do you remove Linux? Is there any command like "format c:" in dos?
I've tried fdisk, but I can't make it work. The computer's got two harddisks, /dev/hda1 and /dev/hda2 I think.

rm -rf /

And then Windows has no problems installing on the drives after?

You can use the DOS fdisk command. Select delete and then NON-DOS partitions.

It don't work. It can't find it. If I remove Linux with "rm * -rf", what about then making a new dos partition with the windows boot disk, can you do that?

Actually DOS can't even see Linux partitions, unless your Linux was on a FAT partition (which would make it SLOW). Is there some reason you just can't flop the 98 cd in and let it do the partitioning for you?

And also if that computer runs 98 it should run Linux nicely. Unless, of course, you were trying to use Gnome of KDE. If that's the case, ouch. Those desktop environments are slow on even "good" computers.

I haven't tried Fedora, but any Red Hat based system I've ever used has run a bit on the slow side. If you'd still like to try Linux why not use a more stripped distro? Slackware ( my personal favorite ), Debian, and Yopper come to mind. Just be sure that if you're going to run a GUI to stay away from KDE or GNOME.

I tried with Gnome and it didn't work. Now the owner of the computer is tired of waiting, and just want win98 back
So how is stuff. I use "rm * -rf", then I boot from the boot disk and create a dos partion, and then I can install win98 from the cd?

Really the rm / -rf is completely unnecessary. All that does is delete everything. You just want to reformat. Just use the boot disk to make a DOS partition and then install from the 98 CD.

And word to the wise, Gnome and KDE are sort of bloaty in an attempt to be user friendly. User friendly, sadly, is often synonymous with slow.

If I just use boot disk to make a DOS patition, then won't lots of linux GB still be on the harddisk?

Hehe Like XP

DOS ignores linux partitions but fdisk can "see" them.
http://www.techrescue.net/guides/prepdrv6h.asp

Well, that's what you get for running Red Hat.

Anyway, when you repartition/reformat with the Windows 98 disk, Linux will be completely removed.

Yes. You'll still have some data on there. Does this matter to you?

Unless you perform a low-level format, or write the drive to zeroes, there will still be data. Might not bother you, but I personally like to totally wipe it clean when getting rid of an OS. There are utility disks provided by the major hard drive manufacturers that you can d/l, then write to a floppy or burn to CD to test your drive and remove software. Maxtor provides the PowerMax utility. I can't remember it if will work on non-Maxtor drives, but if not, go to the website of the manufacturer of your hard drive and d/l their utility.

As for RedHat / Fedora being too slow, I totally agree with you. But there are many other Linux distributions to choose from that are much better and faster. Such as Slackware , the very best Linux distribution! Why were you "trying Linux" in the first place? Must have been a reason you were disatisfied with Windoze, or something. Before returning to the darkside, check out these three links for other possible Linux distributions that might meet your needs:

LQ Distro Reviews

DistroWatch

LinuxISO

There seems to be a flavor suited to everybody's taste. Come on, do you really want to go back to Windoze 98? Do you want to reboot just because you update your virus definitions? Do you want to reboot to get back your memory that "leaked"? It makes me shudder to think of it...

MS3FGX - is it okay for me to respectfully disagree with you?

It seems good IMO that he tried RedHat. I tried RH 6 back in the 90s, and then RH 9 last year. If I had never tried RH, I wouldn't know how horrible it is compared to say, Debian - or compared to the best Linux disro - Slackware! Nor would I know why it got the nickname DeadRat.

It's kinda like Coca-Cola. If that's all I ever drank, how would I know that there's a cheap, horrible tasting imitation called Pepsi-Cola? I couldn't fully appreciate the Real Thing, Coke - if I never tried Pepsi.

IMO it's the same with Linux. I don't think I could fully appreciate Slackware, had I not tried other things first; such as RedHat and Windoze...

Yes, because it's the half of the disk.

Can't I just use "rm * -rf"?

Well, not on faster computers.

Well, I wasn't trying Linux, I've used it for a year or so, but one of my friends wantet to try it on his moms computer . But it wasn't fast enought. Now his mom wants windows back.[/B][/QUOTE]


Can anyone tell me if "rm /* -rf" and then making a new partition with the win98 boot disk will work?
Or won't rm remove the partitions?

Of course, but I was merely commenting on the fact his computer ran slow because he tried to run Red Hat on it, a notoriously power-hungry distro.

Which you feel the same way about so... I think that might be a paradox.

I would also suggest Slackware as a distro to try on older hardware (I would suggest it for anything, actually), if you aren't going to give up completely on Linux.

Well, as I said, his mom has gone quite angry, so I don't think there is any way out now.