Getting rid of dual boot in Windows XP

[sashag]

Hi!

I installed Ubuntu 9.04 'inside' of the Windows XP OS because I heard that it was easier to get rid of if I didn't want the program any more. Well, I didn't want the
Linux Ubuntu OS any more, so within Windows XP, I 'uninstalled' it. However, what I wasn't told, was that at startup, I would still see the 'dual boot' screen. Had I known that, I would have just used the Linux OS from the CD, that way, if I didn't want to use it any more, I didn't have to, and I wouldn't be stuck with the dual boot
screen.

Anyhow, since I'm fairly new to Linux, I would like to know how I can get rid of the
dual boot screen without hurting the Windows XP OS? Thanks!

[Raddy]

I'm pretty new at this, so hopefully my advice can be verified by a more experienced user, but just formatting the Linux partition doesn't remove the Grub bootloader, which is the screen that pops up when you boot.

Put your Windows XP CD into the drive and boot into the recovery console. Once you're there, run the following commands:

C:\>fixboot
C:\>fixmbr

You should be set then.

[sashag]

I'm pretty new at this, so hopefully my advice can be verified by a more experienced user, but just formatting the Linux partition doesn't remove the Grub bootloader, which is the screen that pops up when you boot.

Put your Windows XP CD into the drive and boot into the recovery console. Once you're there, run the following commands:

C:\>fixboot
C:\>fixmbr

You should be set then.

I tried what you suggested, but I couldn't get into the C: drive. I kept getting the
'documents and settings' after the C:. How do I change 'directories' so that I'm only in the C: drive? Can I change what you suggested from the Windows XP 'command prompt' within windows xp? Thanks!

[Raddy]

It shouldn't matter what directory you're in as long as you're in the C drive, but to get to the C: root directory just type "cd\" and press enter

[reed9]

He's suggesting you run these from the command line. In XP, go to Start>Run and type cmd to open.

However, I don't believe that is necessary in your case. It sounds like you used WUBI to install Ubuntu in XP. In which case, I believe you just need to edit the file C:/boot.ini and delete any references to Ubuntu or WUBI.

[gazj]

No this is not from within the windows enviroment. You need to boot your computer using your windows xp install cd. When prompted select recovery console then issue the commands above.

[sashag]

He's suggesting you run these from the command line. In XP, go to Start>Run and type cmd to open.

However, I don't believe that is necessary in your case. It sounds like you used WUBI to install Ubuntu in XP. In which case, I believe you just need to edit the file C:/boot.ini and delete any references to Ubuntu or WUBI.

How do I edit the file C:/boot.ini and delete any references to Ubuntu or WUBI?
When I tried to go into the command prompt and then entered the first line,
C:\>fixboot, the message that I got, was, 'fixboot' is not recognized as an internal
or external command, operable program or batch file. If I can't 'fix' the problem using
the command prompt, then how do I 'edit' the boot.ini file? Thanks!

[reed9]

When I tried to go into the command prompt and then entered the first line,
C:\>fixboot, the message that I got, was, 'fixboot' is not recognized as an internal
or external command, operable program or batch file

Apparently this is actually done from the Windows Install (or rescue?) CD. But again, I don't think you need to do this. If you used WUBI, you didn't install a linux bootloader. It may work, though, I don't know. I'm not that familiar with Windows.

For editing the boot.ini file, open a text editor, such as Notepad, select File>Open and navigate to your C:\ drive, and type boot.ini. I think the file is hidden, so you can't just point and click on it.

[sashag]

Apparently this is actually done from the Windows Install (or rescue?) CD. But again, I don't think you need to do this. If you used WUBI, you didn't install a linux bootloader. It may work, though, I don't know. I'm not that familiar with Windows.

For editing the boot.ini file, open a text editor, such as Notepad, select File>Open and navigate to your C:\ drive, and type boot.ini. I think the file is hidden, so you can't just point and click on it.

I'm finding it very hard to follow all the different ways to fix the problem I have.
I would like to know how I can find the 'hidden files' in Windows XP and then
delete the files suggested above? (i.e. Ubuntu and Wubi files). Thanks!

[reed9]

Here are some screenshots to help. Open notepad, select File then Open. Go to C:\ and in your filename, type boot.ini





You'll have an additional line reading something like c:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu"

Delete it.