How do I uninstall Linux and return to Windows?

leemoreau · 01-25-2004, 02:23 PM

Quick question. I have Windows XP on one partition and Red Hat 9 on another using Grub. I really am tired of Linux and just want windows back, but in the past when I've tried to remove things like this it's messed up my mbr and made me unable to boot windows. if I use recovery console and type fixmbr and fixboot will that remove grub and boot right to windows or is my system going to get messed up? Thanks.

vectordrake · 01-25-2004, 02:48 PM

fixboot not required

Shame to see you leave Linux. Perhaps it was Red Hat that you are tired of. Hope to see you try another distro. Try Mepis (its a live cd based on Debian - apt-get is much better at dependancy resolution than RPM).

fixmbr will wipe GRUB. Red Hat will still be there if you change your mind. If you want the space back, you can easily format the partition as NTFS or FAT

leemoreau · 01-25-2004, 03:13 PM

I really would like to try Debian, I just like gnome but really want to use Ximian Desktop which aparantly isn't supported in Debian. Never liked KDE at all or the standard Gnome but maybe I'll give it a try.

vectordrake · 01-25-2004, 03:16 PM

Ximian does support Debian, but their development has centered around Red Hat most. You have support for older versions. The newer version does have pretty scanty support for Debian, but who know. There are a lot of maintainers who will package a deb of stuff that isn't in the Debian tree.

andrewlkho · 01-25-2004, 04:48 PM

The other way to fix your mbr is to insert a windows boot floppy, and type:
fdisk /mbr
and that'll do the trick.

MissMetal · 01-26-2004, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ho_10
The other way to fix your mbr is to insert a windows boot floppy, and type:
fdisk /mbr
and that'll do the trick.

Would that work with XP/NTFS?

viga · 01-26-2004, 06:45 AM

If you were using lilo, lilo saved your mdr befor inserting its one, you just have to use the lilo restore commande.

You can also insert your WinXP CD and begin a quick repare. Choose fix MBR and that's it.

vectordrake · 01-26-2004, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MissMetal
Would that work with XP/NTFS?

Not in my experience. fixmbr from recovery console will do it. the floppy method would be faster, as windows XP disk seems to wanna find modules for everything and load it all before you do that simple task.