cannot remove linux partitions

[ajit.kulkarni]

hello everyone
I had installed linux on one of my hard disk with the usual /(root) /boot and (swap) partition .Now I want to remove it and make it dual boot with windows and linux .but the problem is I am not able to remove the linux partitions .I attached it to another xp machine and tried to delete partition but they cannot be removed please help

[devils casper]

hi ajit.kulkarni !!

I assume that you wanna remove linux completely.. no data... nothing...
if you able to boot up linux then log in as root and on terminal type this command ...

 dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=521 count=1

this command wipe away the partition table of hard disk
After reboot, all installation systems will think that you have a brand new hard disk.

if this does not work then check the website of your hard disk manufacturer and download Hard Disk utilities... or try GParted... its bootable, Linux based Partition Manager ( 30 MB )

[richiefrich]

why not just install windows XP then reinstall linux.. or install another HDD then install XP but then you will need to redo grub or lilo as windows overwrites them with there crappy boot loader.

[jan1024188]

hi ajit.kulkarni
why dont you just resize linux parition and install windows on free space?

[devils casper]

hi richiefrich !!

why not just install windows XP then reinstall linux.. or install another HDD then install XP but then you will need to redo grub or lilo as windows overwrites them with there crappy boot loader.

Because of existing Linux partitions, windows installation CD's wont work... you can't use bootable floppies either... fdisk or any dos based partition tool wont work ....

[richiefrich]

I beg to differ all depends on the windows ver. It to will format/repartitioning the disk.

[devils casper]

I beg to differ all depends on the windows ver. It to will format/repartitioning the disk.

It doesn't work sometimes.

[richiefrich]

believe what u will, but I know windows will install over linux.. now if he wants to wipe the drive then dd is needed. if he justs wants to install windows then it will install.. I have done it on other boxes that ppl didnt like linux.. So i know! it works! Have a great day..

[devils casper]

hi richiefrich !!!

beliefs can't change facts.......

one can install windows after installing linux..... its true...
you wrote "I beg to differ all depends on the windows ver. It to will format/repartitioning the disk"
what windows version ??? dos based tools, windows installation cds, bootable floppies wont work.... you cant use these to create new partitions in harddisk having linux already installed.
GParted or other linux based partitioner can do the partitioning stuff.
for wiping out everything.. dd will work...

here user wanna wipe out everything....... so i recommended him "dd".... if user asked for installation then there are a lot ways for that too....

<=== { casper } ===>

[richiefrich]

he said and i quote

Now I want to remove it and make it dual boot with windows and linux .

He did not say wipe he said remove and remove means to me that he wants to reinstall something.. and what i took you as is that he can't install windows over linux then reinstall linux in another partition which he can! He never said WIPE!! he said REMOVE so a reinstall will work fine.. he also didnt say he wanted to RESIZE so as my 1st post is correct and stands true. rinstall windows then install linux in some left over space.. dont use all the dick on a windows install then you will need to resize.. why go do more steps. now do you understand