Uninstalling linux

Question

I installed linux on my Dell Inspiron and would like to remove it without losing all my data that is installed in WinXPpro. Is there a way to do this?

SlamX · Answer

What boot loader do you use? LILO is a pain to remove but possible. Is linux on a separate partition? If it is merely delete the partition then boot with the XP: cd go into the console and run fixmbr.   Also google for removing linux you will get plenty of hits.

VNone · Answer

I'm not quite sure about the boot loader, but I installed Suse Linux 3.0.
It is in a separate partition, but again I'm not sure how to go about IDing and then deleting it. Plus I'm not familiar with the console to fix MBR. I thank you for the help though and I will try to fimiliarize myself with the things you mentioned. Again, thank you for the help, VNone.

SlamX · Answer

Hello again,

What menu do you see to boot to XP or Linux? a windows one or linux one? If windows boot manager skip next step and go to # 2

#1. Boot with the XP CD. Go to the window where it asks to repair using the console. Type R to enter the repair console. In there type FIXMBR. Reboot to Windows Desktop and follow step # 2.

#2. Boot into XP. go to Control Panel/Performance and Mantenance/Admin Tools/Computer Management/then on left column Disk Management. Then in the lower right window you will see the Linux Partition. To Delete it you rt click on it and select Delete. If Windows does not boot now go back and do step # 1

Now before you do any of this BACKUP all data you need to. You may render the computer unable to boot and need to restore/reinstall XP.

Good Luck. And I recommend palying with linux with a bootable live cd version like Knoppix or Feather Linux. Then you avoid trashing your system and having lots of work to do like you do now. Google Knoppix and Feather Linux you will find where to download iso's.

Good Luck

VNone · Answer

Thamks again, SlamX. This helps a bunch. You're right I shoulda done it the other way as you suggest, but I'm a 70 year old thick head and have to learn everything the hard way. By the way, the very first computer I used was the size of a room, and I don't think it gave me this much trouble. Thanks again, VNone.

SlamX · Answer

Hey it's all about learning. The day we say we know too much is the day we are doomed. Besides it is fun learning. And I learned a lot by messing up computers. Anyway have fun and let me know if you get it all going again the way you want...without losing any data.

I am 55 and just took up computers when I was 40 and oh yes I used a big room computer whn I wa sin college in the 70's with punch cards. Oh man have we come a long way.

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Uninstalling linux

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