Mandriva Linux -> Windows

[nchies]

New to Linux, love it, but I need to swap one of my computers back to windows for some stuff I need to do. I was hoping you guys could tell me how I can do this. Any information would be appreciated!

I've been told I need to clear my boot sector, but I don't have my Linux CD anymore.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

If you are running Windows XP/Me/98, you can boot with a Windows emergency boot disk and run the following command:

fdisk /mbr

..or you can boot with the Windows installation CD and from the Recovery Console enter the following command:

fixmbr

[nchies]

Ahh I'll give that a shot right now, thanks for the quick response!

[nchies]

Any further help would be appreciated:
I pop in the Windows XP CD, it begins to do it's thing, I get to where it asks me if I want to repair, setup, or exit, and any option I choose other than exit gives me an error of:
"Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer.

Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer, and that any disk-related hardware configuration is correct. This may involve running a manufacturer-supplied diagnostic or setup program."

I'm not sure what to do at this point..

[yancek]

Are you trying to do a fresh install of xp on a computer that has/had a Linux distribution on it? I assume you don't have xp or any version of windows installed? I did a quick google on this and it seems to primarily be because of SATA/RAID. Don't know if you have SATA drives but I would google the error as it seems to be a very common problem with xp.

[nchies]

Are you trying to do a fresh install of xp on a computer that has/had a Linux distribution on it? I assume you don't have xp or any version of windows installed? I did a quick google on this and it seems to primarily be because of SATA/RAID. Don't know if you have SATA drives but I would google the error as it seems to be a very common problem with xp.

That's exactly what I'm trying to do...I'll see what else I can find via google, but it's been pretty unhelpful so far. Thanks for the info.

[techieMoe]

That's exactly what I'm trying to do...I'll see what else I can find via google, but it's been pretty unhelpful so far. Thanks for the info.

If you have a SATA drive you're going to need to either download device drivers for it (and pop it onto a floppy disc, believe it or not) or slipstream the drivers into your install disc. XP doesn't come with SATA drivers out of the box unless it's an OEM disc from a manufacturer and they included them. I ran into this trouble on a desktop box of mine.

[saivin]

If you have a SATA drive you're going to need to either download device drivers for it (and pop it onto a floppy disc, believe it or not) or slipstream the drivers into your install disc. XP doesn't come with SATA drivers out of the box unless it's an OEM disc from a manufacturer and they included them. I ran into this trouble on a desktop box of mine.

Ah... that's the reason? I had thought I was getting similar errors while trying to install on my laptop coz the cd was pirated one!

Ok, just wondering if it is possible to copy the contents of xp cd to a folder, download the drivers needed and copy it to that folder (in a sub-folder where other drivers are put) and burn the contents again as an autorun cd? Don't have floppy drives in laptop and desktop.

Edit: Techiemoe, did you mean the same as above when you said 'slipstream the drivers into install disc'?

[techieMoe]

Ok, just wondering if it is possible to copy the contents of xp cd to a folder, download the drivers needed and copy it to that folder (in a sub-folder where other drivers are put) and burn the contents again as an autorun cd? Don't have floppy drives in laptop and desktop.

Edit: Techiemoe, did you mean the same as above when you said 'slipstream the drivers into install disc'?

That's what I meant by slipstreaming, yes. There are applications that can do it for you. I must warn you that all this assumes that you have a legitimate XP license key. If you do not, our conversation must end now, as we do not encourage illegal activities.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp
How To: Slipstream your XP installation | Maximum PC

[saivin]

...I must warn you that all this assumes that you have a legitimate XP license key. If you do not, our conversation must end now, as we do not encourage illegal activities.

Well, sadly, no i don't have legal copy of xp.

Was not in a pos to pay for a legal copy when I first got my comp (believe m,e it took almost two years to save enough money). Always had the guilt inside though.

Now that my financial conditions have improved thought of purchasing one. But ironically though, I have reached a stage where I don't need windows anymore, atleast not at my home! I've wiped xp and vista clean from my desktop and laptop resp. I've become 100% linuxer now!

Sorry, for being off-topic. Got lil emotional