how to remove windows froma partitioned computer

birdbrained · 11-08-2007, 07:33 PM

I have a Compaq Deskpro ep/sp series partitioned with Puppy Linux and Windows 2000. I bought the computer usedfor $72 and don't have a windows 2000 cd.It has been suggested to me that I dump the windows.
I originally wanted to do that the instructions started with putting in the windows 2000 cd that I didn't have.Is there a way I can do that?
Someone told me that Ubuntu dumps Windows during its installation but I prefer Puppy Linux.Does Puppy have a utility to dump Windows?

ranger_nemo · 11-08-2007, 07:49 PM

You can use fdisk to delete the Windows partitions off the hard-drive. Be sure to delete the correct one. Look in /etc/fstab to see which are the Linux partitions.

AceofSpades19 · 11-08-2007, 08:29 PM

You can use any livecd to delete the windows parition

birdbrained · 11-08-2007, 11:36 PM

When you say live id,could a Puppy Linux cd do it?Do you mean a Windows 2000 cd. I don't have one of those.
I had a hard time finding the fdisk.or the file you said to check which parts were which.If you have the time,could you be more specific?
I did finally locate the fdisk but was afraid to do anything. I think Hdal is windows but am not sure.If I give you the names of what I see,could you tell me which look like Windows?

AceofSpades19 · 11-08-2007, 11:47 PM

if I meant windows 2000 cd I would have said windows 2000 cd
Livecd is a bootable operating system that runs from the cd, e.g. KNOPPIX, Puppy, Ubuntu, SLAX, PCLinuxOS etc.

ranger_nemo · 11-09-2007, 09:02 AM

I took a look at the Puppy website... It says you should have gparted installed. This would be the easiest way for you to delete the Windows partition.

The Puppy website says it should be in the menu Menu / System / Gparted. Run the program. It should ask you for root's password. Type it in.

Gparted will then show you a graphic display of the layout of your hard-drive. Windows will be installed in a partition that has a filesystem type listed as FAT32 or NTFS. Anything listed as EXT2 or EXT3 will be your Linux.

If you delete the Windows partition, Windows will be gone. Then, you can create a new Linux partition in it's place to recover that drive-space.

You will also need to edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst to remove the Windows entry.

2damncommon · 11-09-2007, 09:05 PM

I would run
"dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hdax" (or sdax) on the Windows partition to zero it
then change the file type in a partitioning tool from NTFS to ext3.
Then run
"mkfs.ext3 /dev/hdax" (or sdax) on the Windows partiton.
If you delete it you could change the order of the partitions and cause yourself problems.