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bgraybr 08-04-2009 09:10 PM

Unable to uninstall Mandriva
 
I wasn't sure which forum to put this in, since I'm new to Linux I guess I'll post here.

I recently installed Mandriva on my computer, got annoyed with it, and decided to reinstall another Linux distribution (Vector).

When I uninstalled other operating systems all I had to do was put in the install disk, reboot, reformat the partition, and install over it. I got to the partitioning and I noticed a couple of things:

- My Mandriva partition had a lock next to it and I could not delete/reformat it.
- I had a new device: /dev/hdb/ with 172.57 MB of free space. This isn't possible. I only have on hard disk and I've never added any hardware to my computer.

I tried to create a new partition table, but couldn't. I didn't get an error, Gparted just said "Unable to complete operations! Partition is in use!" or something like that. My Windows partition was completely deleted though...

So I restarted my computer, started the installer for Vector, and...
the installer froze after I got to the part where the installer "searches the disk for installable media".

I popped in a disk with a different version of Vector on it and it froze at the exact same part.

I took out all of the disks and Mandriva is working just fine, but its still frustrating not being able to do anything with my own computer.

I came across a couple of other threads that said that there's problems with removing Mandriva's boot loader, but that isn't really useful at the moment.

Why can't I uninstall Mandriva?

SSJGoku 08-04-2009 09:30 PM

have u tried using gparted live to delete the partition and start from scratch with free space

if not type in gparted live into google and burn the iso to a dvd and use it from boot

from there you will have complete access to your hard drives partitions and can do anything u like with them

i92guboj 08-04-2009 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgraybr (Post 3631653)
I wasn't sure which forum to put this in, since I'm new to Linux I guess I'll post here.

I recently installed Mandriva on my computer, got annoyed with it, and decided to reinstall another Linux distribution (Vector).

When I uninstalled other operating systems all I had to do was put in the install disk, reboot, reformat the partition, and install over it.

That should be the procedure in this case as well. I am not familiar with the installer for Vector, so I have no idea how its partitioning tool works at all.

Quote:

- My Mandriva partition had a lock next to it and I could not delete/reformat it.
I have no idea, as said, about how the Vector partitioning tool works, or how Vector handles the things. However, whatever the graphic tool is, my guess is that the drives are mounted (for I-don't-know-what-reason). You can't reformat or repartition drives that are mounted, so that would explain that *lock*, whatever you meant by that.

Quote:

- I had a new device: /dev/hdb/ with 172.57 MB of free space. This isn't possible. I only have on hard disk and I've never added any hardware to my computer.
In any case, I would use a standard livecd and the command line. Unlike graphic installers, the command line tools are always the same, and they do work. Once you boot from a livecd, you can use this command to get a full listing of the drives and partitions:

Code:

fdisk -l
fdisk can be used to delete all the partitions as well if that's what you want. In command line you can also mount the drives to check the contents (so you make sure you are erasing the correct one). Once your drive is clean you can restart the Vector installation or whatever suits you, and repartition using the free space.


Quote:

I tried to create a new partition table, but couldn't. I didn't get an error, Gparted just said "Unable to complete operations! Partition is in use!" or something like that.
That would completely match my idea that the partition is being mounted by the installer, for whatever stupid reason.

You could as well try the gparted livecd or something like that, that doesn't do stupid things like mounting a partition that's not going to be used for anything. After wiping all your partitions you can proceed with VEctor or whatever.

bgraybr 08-04-2009 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i92guboj (Post 3631669)
That should be the procedure in this case as well. I am not familiar with the installer for Vector, so I have no idea how its partitioning tool works at all.

I have no idea, as said, about how the Vector partitioning tool works, or how Vector handles the things. However, whatever the graphic tool is, my guess is that the drives are mounted (for I-don't-know-what-reason). You can't reformat or repartition drives that are mounted, so that would explain that *lock*, whatever you meant by that.

The Vector partitioning tool is Gparted, and yes, I think I forgot the mention this: the partition was mounted, I got an error when I tried to unmount it, "Device is in use".

Quote:

In any case, I would use a standard livecd and the command line. Unlike graphic installers, the command line tools are always the same, and they do work. Once you boot from a livecd, you can use this command to get a full listing of the drives and partitions:

Code:

fdisk -l
fdisk can be used to delete all the partitions as well if that's what you want. In command line you can also mount the drives to check the contents (so you make sure you are erasing the correct one). Once your drive is clean you can restart the Vector installation or whatever suits you, and repartition using the free space.
There's also an option to use the text based installer- its supposed to give you more control over the installation. If that doesn't work I'll try the live install.

Quote:

That would completely match my idea that the partition is being mounted by the installer, for whatever stupid reason.

You could as well try the gparted livecd or something like that, that doesn't do stupid things like mounting a partition that's not going to be used for anything. After wiping all your partitions you can proceed with VEctor or whatever.
Well, the installer does use Gparted, and I've created partitions before without

i92guboj 08-04-2009 09:54 PM

Well, then the question that you should be asking is this one: "why the heck is the livecd mounting that drive?"

You are not going to delete or format it until you can unmount it.

bgraybr 08-04-2009 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgraybr (Post 3631684)
Well, the installer does use Gparted, and I've created partitions before without

Rrg... I meant I've created a new partition table/deleted my hard drive with the same installer without any problems.

i92guboj 08-04-2009 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgraybr (Post 3631689)
Rrg... I meant I've created a new partition table/deleted my hard drive with the same installer without any problems.

Yes, I understood it hehe. The matter here is not gparted or fdisk or whatever else. They all will fail to modify or delete a partition that is mounted. So it's not the partitioner which should worry you, but the fact that your livecd is mounting a foreign partition for an unknown reason.

Bear in mind that I know nothing about Vector, maybe the reason why it does that is crystal clear to a Vector user, but I can't figure why the heck it is doing so *before* the partitioning stage. It just makes no sense.


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