how to remove Linux partition

[hanania123]

Hi all

I have 2 partitions - one with WinXP, and the second one has Fedora Core4.

I'd like to totally remove the Linux partition, and make the whole hard disk available for the Windows OS (later on I'll probably remove the Win as well and re-create dual boot, but for the meantime I'm interested only in removing the Linux).
Can someone advise how to do it?

10x

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

You can simply delete the partition if you wish, then expand your Windows partition to include the new free space. After doing so, you'll probably also need to remove GRUB from your master boot record so that Windows will boot properly again.

To remove GRUB:

boot with a Windows emergency boot disk and run: fdisk /mbr

...or

Boot with the Windows XP installation CD and from the recovery console type: fixmbr

Doing either one should rewrite the MBR allowing you to reboot directly into Windows.

If neither of those options are available to you, try using SuperGrub:

Super Grub Disk Webpage: Download

It's a good tool for working with Linux, or Windows boot issues.


For working with or deleting partitions, I recommend the Parted Magic LiveCD:

Parted Magic

It's a very small download/burn to CD, it's quite easy to use, and there is very good documentation on their website. It's a handy to keep around for working with Windows or Linux partitions.

[hanania123]

Thanks Ozar, I'll give it a try!

[the1knight]

I tried this advise and it worked superbly taking a linux partition off and re-writing the mbr to allow me to redistribute the space to my vista partition using paragon.

[alanrlow]

I also want to remove the Ubuntu partition from the end on my win partition and recover the space for win and install Ubuntu on an external usb drive. What is best program to non-destructively resize my win partition? Thanks for any help.
Alan.

[oz]

What is best program to non-destructively resize my win partition? Thanks for any help.
Alan.

Welcome to the forums!

That would probably be Parted Magic as recommended above.

[alanrlow]

Welcome to the forums!

That would probably be Parted Magic as recommended above.

Thank you for the welcome and the fast reply. I have just grabbed a copy of pmagic-2-2.iso so I'll give it a try as soon as I've done a full backup, just in case..

Cheers,
Alan.