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Old 11-16-2007, 09:58 PM   #1
monkeyboy73
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Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 4

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how do I *gasp* uninstall suse linux


All:

I am running a dual boot XP/suse machine.

I originally installed a second, SMALL 8gb HDD for my first foray into linux. I now need a bigger second drive (big surprise). I want to uninstall linux and fix my boot options (when I boot, it offers me four options - linux/linux recovery/win1/win2). Basically, I want to make my PC operational/totally bootable without the second HDD while I search for a second drive and find a new linux distribution.

Furthermore, I don't have a real XP cd. The pc came with recovery cd's, but they're more like imaged cd's. They may let me boot in recovery mode, though.

I hate to be a noob, but explicit instructions would be best for me. I'm fairly literal.

I figure I'll have to:
1) format the second hdd or just remove it;
2) boot in recovery mode;
3) run fixmbr at the DOS prompt? (is this right? is this all?)

Thank you all, in advance, for your help.

mb
 
Old 11-16-2007, 11:40 PM   #2
2damncommon
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Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Calif, USA
Distribution: PCLINUXOS
Posts: 2,918

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You don't really ever "uninstall" an operating system. You can upgrade it, overwrite it, format, or partition or repartition drives.

But you do know what you are talking about. You are concerned about the bootloader.

If you just remove or replace the Linux drive the bootloader will not work.

I believe in backup boot media and would create a Grub floppy in Suse with "grub-install <name of your floppy drive> (/dev/fd0, /dev/floppy, /media/floppy?), then an XP boot floppy. Confirm both work. Then I believe "fixmbr" (or is it "fixboot"?) in Windows is the correct command to get rid of GRUB.

If you create the floppies you will be able to boot straight into Windows before any changes and into Linux after changes. Then change your drives when you choose.
 
  


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