Can I delete my Windows partition and re-install without affecting Linux partition?

Whatshisface · 07-24-2010, 10:24 PM

I want to wipe out my Windows partition and reinstall due to sluggishness. I plan to use Windows instructions as if it was on a hard drive by itself. Will this affect the multi-boot capability or the Linux partition in any way? Would it be easier to reformat and partition the entire hard drive and re-install both OSes? I use OpenSuse 11.2 and Windows XP.

David2010 · 07-24-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whatshisface

I want to wipe out my Windows partition and reinstall due to sluggishness. I plan to use Windows instructions as if it was on a hard drive by itself. Will this affect the multi-boot capability or the Linux partition in any way? Would it be easier to reformat and partition the entire hard drive and re-install both OSes? I use OpenSuse 11.2 and Windows XP.

Windows (Any version) has a tendency to remove the bootloader (MBR) of any other OS. Go figure...

If you try to install windows after installing linux then the linux MBR will be removed and all you will get is windows + a pile of linux files that can't be booted nor accessed from inside windows. (Due to NTFS vs EXT3, EXT4)

The way around this is to install windows first and then install linux.

Make sure to back up important files to a flash drive or CD beforehand though.

syg00 · 07-25-2010, 02:05 AM

Windoze will replace the MBR, but if you're careful will leave the (unrecognised) Linux partitions alone.
Reinstalling grub1 (which OpenSuSE uses) to the MBR will be relatively trivial. Can be done from any liveCD (maybe the OpenSuSE disk - I'd have a look later) - the supergrubdisk will do it for you.

But if you do decide to redo both, do Windoze first as suggested.

fbt · 07-25-2010, 09:10 AM

Many liveCD allow you to repair the mbr and get you to a proper grub screen to log in.

jefro · 07-25-2010, 03:38 PM

Windows is the complaint. You only need to fix it by the clean install.

Be careful that you do know what partition is what and if you have multiple drives be sure you understand boot order.

After xp finishes you will then have to either fix xp's loader or install grub.

David2010 · 07-25-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

Windoze will replace the MBR, but if you're careful will leave the (unrecognised) Linux partitions alone.
Reinstalling grub1 (which OpenSuSE uses) to the MBR will be relatively trivial. Can be done from any liveCD (maybe the OpenSuSE disk - I'd have a look later) - the supergrubdisk will do it for you.

But if you do decide to redo both, do Windoze first as suggested.

Puppy linux will allow you to install and reconfigure grub legacy (grub 1) and its a live cd.

Although puppy linux is not really practical for desktop use, it is really handy as a rescue/multi-purpose tool.

syg00 · 07-26-2010, 01:18 AM

OpenSuSE 11.3-RC1 has a rescue mode - I presume 11.2 has similar. Drops to a login shell - user "root", no password.
Then do this (presumes only one hard disk - else amend the setup appropriately)

Code:

grub
find /boot/grub/menu.lst
root (hd?,?)         <<<=== use what previous command returned
setup (hd0)
boot