Delete Linux partition
 

I want to delete linux partitions using windows, so that i can reorganize my partitions and give more space to linux, but i am afraid that by deleting them i will be deleting grub the boot loader and then will not be able to load even windows. Is this wright? Can i delete the linux partitions? Where is the location of MBR is it in a windows partition of in a linux partition? Any suggestion what should i do in this case?

thanks

The MBR stands for Master Boot Record. Which is usually stored in the first sector of a hard disk (not in a partition). You can probably safely delete the linux partitions with the exception of the one that contains the stage files for grub (/boot). What I would do on my system is make room on the disk and grow the linux partition rather then deleting it (which you can do with reiserfs, not sure about other partition types).

The MBR is the Master Boot Record of the hard-drive. When a computer boots up, it runs through the boot list looking for a valid boot device. When it looks at the hard-drive, it executes whatever is in the MBR. In a Windows system, it's usually just a bit of code that tells the computer to boot Windows off the first partition.

When you have GRUB of LILO installed, they take-over the MBR, and install a bit of code that tells the computer to run GRUB/LILO, on whatever partition GRUB/LILO was installed to and initially run from. GRUB/LILO then let you choose which OS you want to run.

If you delete the partition that holds GRUB/LILO, then the computer will be looking for something that doesn't exist, and can't boot. So, if you want to remove Linux and GRUB/LILO, than you need to restore the MBR to the Windows default. If you have Win 2000/XP, you can do this in the disk management section of the control panel. I don't remember exactly where, off hand. If you have Win ME/98/95, then you'll need to run "fdisk /mbr" from a DOS prompt. You might need a boot floppy to get there.

After that, you can safely delete the Linux partitions.

thanks very much can you tell me how i use reiserfs.
I read somewhere that i can use fixmbr to replace mbr with a valid windows boat loader. Is that true? Does that work?

thanks very much you have just answered my question while i was typing it. Thank you

I'm having the same problem, the thing is i formatted the partition and i don't have an XP disk, can it be done any other??

Brahl; if i understand correct, you formatted the linux-part. and you just want the win-bootloader back .
if you can startup win ( from a floppy ), you can run "fixmbr " in a win-console.
if you don't have a bootfloppy, find one with google to boot xp ( there are many free- and share-ware versions )

egag

cheers egag! shall be looking now :D now hopefully this floppy will format!!!!!!