Hi I just built my own PC and installed Red Hat LInux 8.0. I'm not very sure how to use it so I want to install Windows XP but I don't know how. When I put the CD into my drive I get a window that shows some folders and files but I can't get it to install. I could try uninstalling LInux but I don't know how. Could someone please help me.

So what is your question? Do you want someone here to help you install WindowsXP or do you want someone here to help you uninstall Linux?

You might find problems getting answers to either question.

You may need to delete your Red Hat "Linux" partition(s) before Win XP will install. It probably wants a recognizable filesystem type or blank space.
If running the Windows partition tools pre-install does not work, you should be able to boot your Linux install disk and delete your Linux partition(s) from there.
I would recommend dual booting XP and Red Hat if you are still interested.
Just create and format the Windows partition first (any size you choose), then let the Red Hat install create and format your Linux partitions.
Good Luck.

Ok I don't think I was clear enough. I want to completely remove Linux from my harddrive, then I want to install Windows. Im not sure how to do any of these things. If someone could tell me how or give me a site with step by step instructions that would be very helpful.

Here's the Mandrake version.
Red Hat would be the same.

Also this from M$.

Ok I now I have to delete the partitions and the bootloader, but it says to do it under DOS. I know nothing about DOS, and am not sure how to get into it. I made a MS-DOS start up disk on a floppy with my windows machine so could I do anything with that?

1. Put the Windows XP install CD into the CDROM drive and restart your computer. (Your computer should be set to boot from CD as you were able to install Red Hat).
2. During the pre-install phase you should have the option of choosing which partition to install to. Use 'd' to delete the selected/highlighted partition, use 'c' to create a partition from free space. You would delete all the existing partitions and create a new one(s) of the size you want.
This is from my Evaluation version of XP. I am guessing the final would be similar.
You can use the DOS disk if it has fdisk on it. What version of Windows is on your "windows machine"?

c'mon, this is a linux forum, not 'I installed linux but now I want to go back to windoze but don't know how'.
Just put the XP cd in the drive and place something heavy on the enter key.

lol. if they didn't help, i'd just format the hard drive with fdisk or allow the windows isntallation to do it. then install xp and once it's done, reinstall red hat. windows doesn't get along with other os's well but linux does

How to Remove Linux and Install Windows XP

You could also try the Ranish Partition Manager if you don't understand/are afraid of the commands in Linux or the Windows fdisk.

I'm baffled as to why he wants to install 'The Devil' on his machine.
Red Hat is installed and that should be satisfactory. Why fix something
thats not broken!?



Freestone

you cannot install XP from DOS, you must install Win98 or Win ME first.
XP will only install in a 32bit environment.

Unless there is a whole lot of misunderstanding going on, the references to DOS had to do with using 'fdisk /mbr' to clear the Linux bootloader as some of the links suggest. I would think the Windows XP install would do the trick, but even the M$ site suggests it.
I believe everyone has suggested booting the install from the CD.

Yup, this is how you do it. Put the XP CD into your computer, and see if it'll boot from the CD instead of your hard drive. If it does, awesome, you can proceed from that with a step-by-step install that will be familiar. If it doesn't, hit DEL a bunch of time while your computer is starting up to enter the BIOS setup. You need to make a couple changes to your system so that your computer will start up from the XP CD before the hard drive with Linux.

If you aren't very technical with computers, this should be very new to you, and unfortunately, every BIOS is not the same, so I can't instruct you exactly on what to do from there. But here's a general idea of what you need to find and change, so follow along and use your best logical thinking to complete this change to your computer correctly.

Look around for the word boot. You will probably have to go through some menus and stuff to find it. The most likely menu it would be under is Advanced BIOS settings or something similar. If you see the "floppy" or "a:" by the word boot, you're in the right spot.

There should be three boot options, usually called First boot device, Second boot device, and Third boot device. Setup your CD-rom as the second boot device, and setup your hard drive as the third. When you are finished, check over your settings, and save to BIOS and exit.

If your computer will not startup after this BIOS change, you are still ok. Hit DEL again when the computer starts up and try to use some other settings for the boot. Nothing set in the BIOS is permanent, and if there's ever a problem, it's very easy to fix by somebody who knows what to do, and isn't too hard for the average user.

If you are going to try these instructions, I reccoment that you print this post out so you'll have something to follow. If you don't get it, please post and I'll help ya out. Good luck!

Hi,

Intro
-----------
I'm new to Linux world. I used to use Windows since it's version 3.0 until Windows XP. I just moved to Red Hat partially. I have now a dual boot system because I don't know how to do several tasks in Linux. Once I get used to Linux I'll say good bye to Windows.

I hate Microsoft because they always steal others' work specially Mac's OS. One of their recent lies is claiming that they invented a new idea for programming by introducing the .NET infrastructure while it's actually a stolen idea from Sun Java's VM.

I advice you to stay with Linux. Linux is great but you need some time to get used to.
-----------



Your Problem
-----------------

• Is your Windows CD bootable?
• If it is a bootable just follow what the members explained above.
• If it is not then use the startup floppy. After you get to the prompt, use fdisk /mbr to remove the Linux boot loader. Then run the Setup.exe from the CD if this is the full XP CD.
• If it is an upgrade CD then you'll get an error telling that it cannot run from DOS. Then, you may follow this procedure at your risk since I am not really sure (70% sure) because I've done it long back.

[list=1][*]partition your disk using fdisk.[*]restart your system and format the partitions.[*]if you have smartdrive.sys then it would help in speeding up the installation. You may put it in drive C and load it in the config.sys in the floppy.[*]access the I386 folder in the CD. You'll find an executable file called winnt.exe I guess. Execute it and proceed with the setup screens.[*]It will take too long time this way though.[/list=1]