How to swithch beck to Windows

iliev76 · 01-11-2005, 04:32 PM

I need help.
I recently bought desktop and installed Fedora core 3 over Windows XP. Unfortunately, I couldn't start working with Fedora as fast as I expected(all my fault). Now, I need to install back Windows(I have a CD with Winows XP that came with the desktop). I boot from the CD, but all it says is "Setup is inspecting your computer setup configuration" or sth like this, and goes blank. I am getting desparate because I have to work on a project(I am a grad student) and I don't have much time to spare. Please, tell me what to do. I still have Fethora core 3 running.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Peter

p.s. I will probabli try again to switch to Linux when I have time in the summer.

XavierP · 01-11-2005, 04:35 PM

Welcome to LQ

What you need to do is to boot from a Win98 boot floppy and run:

Code:

a:\ fdisk /mbr

then run

Code:

a:\ fdisk

and remove all partitions. Run fdisk again to create a new partition and finally format that partition.

Then reboot of your XP cd and install away.

If you don't have a boot floppy, www.putergeek.com has downloadable ones.

acid_kewpie · 01-11-2005, 04:37 PM

the general steps are to use a DOS boot disk and run "fdisk /MBR" to make windows boot directly again, and even to use fdisk to manually delete all the partitions, but XP should really be able to install over the top of anything, so i'd wonder if that behaviour was down to Linux being on there already.

iliev76 · 01-11-2005, 04:40 PM

What is a a Win98 boot floppy? Do I need to have floppy disk on the computer? I have a CD-ROM and USB ports.

Peter

acid_kewpie · 01-11-2005, 04:45 PM

surely you know what a windows boot disk is?? you can download one from bootdisk.com

XavierP · 01-11-2005, 04:45 PM

When you boot from your xp cd, do you get the option to open a console? If so, you may be able to access the fdisk/format tools on your cd. Otherwise:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...=jump&bmid=708 and http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...=jump&bmid=709 may be of help

iliev76 · 01-11-2005, 04:51 PM

As far as I get it, I have to put these files on a floppy disk. My desktop has no floppy disk(and neither my girlfriends laptop). Can I use usb card or burn a disk? My desktop has only the options to boot from the harddrive and the CD-ROM?

I don't want to offend anybody. I deeply respect the linux community. Unfortunately I got frustrated(again my mistake) and I need to work on my desktop now.

Peter

XavierP · 01-11-2005, 04:59 PM

Do you have a Windows 98 cd? That can take the place of the boot disk/floppy.

iliev76 · 01-11-2005, 04:59 PM

XavierP
Thanks for helping me.
I still don't get it.
What is the Linux setup floppy disk in my case? Is it a CD I should make from within Linux? Or I can just use the console somehow?

iliev76 · 01-11-2005, 05:01 PM

I have an Windows XP "Reinstallation CD" - it says "only use this CD to re-install the operational system".

XavierP · 01-11-2005, 05:13 PM

And it doesn't work?

http://www.weethet.nl/english/hardwa...omusbstick.php
http://www.bootdisk.info/articles.php?action=cat&id=7
http://www.bootdisk.info/forum/index...ct=ST&f=5&t=19
Will enable you to boot into DOS from a USB key

Any help?

iliev76 · 01-11-2005, 05:31 PM

Thank you for the links.
Well I am getting desperate. The one link that seems most comprehensive says that if my bios doesn't support boot from usb to try and update it. I bought the desktop two weeks ago and I doubt that I can find an update. I feel that I will screw evth if I mess with the boot.
I have two questions:
Why cant I burn the things that one puts on a bootable floppy disk?
Is there a way to resize my Linux and try and install the Windows together with the Linux(which will be perfect)?
Peter

XavierP · 01-11-2005, 06:04 PM

Get hold of QTParted - that should allow you to resize your partitions. WARNING: back up all of your data in case of problems.