im currently trying to switch back to windows and use this computer primarily for entertainment plus the sound doesn't work... but i can't seem to run my windows me cd and my ms dos start up disk and recovery cds do not work.

any advice or ideas that'll shine a light on this matter of topic it will be greatly apreciated.

i've already used fdisk and every time i load my computer it goes into grub..

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Go into the bios settings (F2 or deleted or f12 at bios screen) and boot from the cdrom, with your windows CD in. It should have a recovery option.

I had the same prob when formatting you need to run fdisk/mbr to get grub out of the mbr thats it!

BUUUUTTTTTTT

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!
don't make the switch back i'm still new and the whole process got to me a few times but it's all worth it

As for your sound I had the same prob under preferences -> sound
there a check box enable sound server start up, once you check it you'll get another option to enable sound events. that fix my sound probs...at least most of them...but like I said i'm still new myself..oh well good luck on whatever you do

for my sound problem it's not what you think.. I have realtek and they dont have drivers for sounds.

i've tried to recover the computer back to windows me that came with the coputer but it doesn't seem to be succesfull. it doesn't even start it says..

If you have a hard disk installed, the cables may be loose or the disk may not be initialized.

you may need to run the FDisk program to initialize the disk. Use extreme caution with FDisk! FDisk will perform a low level format on the disk and all data will be lost.

But the thing is I can install linux with out a problem. Im switching from rh 9 to windows me.

windows has a very hard time recognizing hard drives that have been formatted with linux...they don't like other standards than their own.

but anyway, i've had the same problem, and it just takes patience. keep formatting the disk, use fdisk, use whatever tools you have available (maxtor and western digital both make pretty good diagnostic floppies which can help, i don't know what brand your drive is...)

try erasing all partitions and formatting the disk to a vfat filesystem using linux, if you can. if that doesn't work try erasing it again with another tool. eventually windows should recognize it.

Actually the disk tools that mcd mentioned may be able to format the drive for you. I know the Seagate ones will.

If you want to wipe it clean, look for the zero fill option (only use if the program specifically supports your drive!) and do that. As it sounds, it will nuke your drive, filling it with 0's. You'll then need to partition it, and format it. I thought that the Windows installers did the partitioning and formating automatically, but maybe not. If they don't, use your WinME boot floppy to use DOS's FDisk and partition and format away.

if your computer manufacturer gave u recovery discs(usualy 3) then i reccomed downloading disc kill and delete all partitions and data. boot of your first recovery disc.
BUT DO NOT DO THIS UNTILL U RESEARCH IT MORE cause i dont wann a give you false info.