Removing Linux from a dual boot environment

parenteeng · 07-21-2007, 12:40 PM

I have a laptop running Windows 2003 server and Red Hat Linux (7.2) in a dual boot environment. I am thinking of removing Linux and then possibly installing a different distribution of Linux (maybe ubuntu). I need some help in how to proceed. Thanks.

pixellany · 07-21-2007, 01:27 PM

When you install the new Linux, you will be able to simply tell the installer to use the existing Linux partition. No need to delete RedHat first.

mhm · 07-21-2007, 01:30 PM

do fdisk -l
then use the command dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda5 bs=1024 count 1
assuming that /dev/hda5 is /boot, do it for other partitions, and google for dd command.

Regards
Mhm

jay73 · 07-21-2007, 05:22 PM

You can simply overwrite the original Linux partition(s) with newer wants. If you want the disk cleared first, you can simply format from windows or from a liveCD; you will also need the windows isntall CD to remove GRUB from the MBR, though, or you won't be able to get into windows anymore.

pixellany · 07-21-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhm

do fdisk -l
then use the command dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda5 bs=1024 count 1
assuming that /dev/hda5 is /boot, do it for other partitions, and google for dd command.

Regards
Mhm

First of all, this is unnecessary. As we have already stated, you simply overwrite the existing Linux partition when you do the new install.

If you do use dd to erase a partition, the above command would only erase 1024 bytes. You have to set count in accord with the size of the partition.