Cant remove previosuly installed ubuntu?

[zuhicki]

Hi
A few weeks ago i installed Ubuntu to my computer, i could choose from how much space I wanted it to take so I chose 17Gb. I had 12Gb left.
Today i wanted to re-install Ubunty and choose a smaller install, 5Gb. To get more space.
And I did, but when i checked how much space i had left after I had installed the 5Gb sized ubunty it said that I now had 7Gb.

Appearently my ''old'' ubuntu session didn't get removed.

Now i wonder, how can i remove my old ubunty? i cant find any files of it anywhere.

[Dougal]

Sounds like you installed alongside the first install instead of installing over it.
Save or copy any files or work you want to keep before continuing...
Reboot to reinstall and when the partitioner comes up choose to manually install partitions. Then you will get a screen showing you what partitions you have. You will probably have four, the one for your first installation, the one for your second installation, the Swap partition and the free space you have left.
You need to keep the Swap partition.
You need to delete the other partitions (this will destroy any files, etc you have so, make copies of any work or whatever before you start) and delete the spare partition you have as well. This should show you about 29Gb once again.
Now click/select the 29Gb partition and create a new partition of the size you want, working out the megabytes for the gigabytes (something like 15,000) is what you want for 15Gb, etc. You will have to name the partition, name it as a / (forward slash for the root partition, Linux will do the rest). Click OK to come out of the partition sizing and naming box. Then put a check mark in the box to format the partition or you won't be able to use it.
You can do what you want with the other 14Gb, use it to store data or leave it to install another operating system onto (selecting this space in the partitioner when you go to install).
Good luck...

[coopstah13]

did you install this with wubi?

[zuhicki]

I installed with ubuntu.
My ubuntu/linux cd is a copy and won't let me boot it until i get to my xp version.
it wont boot automatically when i reboot my computer.
would it be possible to remove my previous ubuntu/linux programs from my xp version?..

[Dougal]

You probably won't see any Linux files from XP because the file systems are different. If it was me - I would get a Linux distro from, say Ubuntu or CrunchBang Linux off their web site or from a magazine and install it to dual boot with your XP.
You will need to make sure that your BIOS is set to allow you to boot from CD first. I presume you have done this but, if not then maybe this is why you are not able to install the Linux version that you have.
Once you have checked that your BIOS is set for booting from the CD first then either try your Linux CD again or bet another Linux distro copy. I like CrunchBang Linux because it is nice and simple and does not need any fancy modern PC to work. You could try Ubuntu as well. You will have to know what you are doing with partitions though because if you opt for letting Linux do everything for you you will loose your XP and all other files on the PC.

[mrrangerman]

Yes you can dump your Ubuntu install from windows, But be warned, if you were dual booting windows and Ubuntu and you delete your Ubuntu you may not be able to boot into windows until you fix your MBR (Master Boot Record). As in most cases you dual booted from grub.

B2: To restore Dos/Windows MBR with an installation CD
Note : MS systems have a common MBR. A Dos-based system's MBR can also be restored by a NT version Windows installation CD. Any Win2k or XP installation CD will do the job. Just boot up the installation CD, choose recovery console and type the command below.
Code:

fixmbr

Now to delete your Ubuntu partition from within window-xp go to

Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management > Disk 0

You should see the partition listed as a unknown partition, MAKE SURE YOU PICK THE WRIGHT PARTITION, Right click on the partition and select Delete partition.

But as I said, if you dual booted and used Ubuntu's Grub to do this, you will need to restore the MBR for windows to boot.

[devils casper]

Lets check partition structure of your hard disk first. Boot up Ubuntu, open Terminal and execute this

sudo fdisk -l

Post output here.

* Its small L in fdisk -l.