Get rid of XP and DVD issue

[Debale]

Hi all

Please bare with me I am a complete idiot when it comes to pc stuff. I started using Ubuntu 10.4 a while back and have just upgraded to 11.04 and have decided to get rid of the big 'W' XP!!! I have seen various descriptions of how to go to Gparted and delete from there but, the dsa1 has a padlock on it and does not give me the option to delete it? Any step by step instructions for a dumb blonde? I also, have been trying to burn a bootable disc for 11.04 but, although it goes through the motions the disc is left blank? The last time I used this facility I was still using the 'W' word system?
Please help me!!!

[Jonathan183]

Run gparted from the Ubuntu live CD - that should let you delete the Windows partition. Incase you are still struggling with the partitioning then post the output of

sudo fdisk -l

here. The -l has a small L.

For burning a CD look here ... check section 2, select the OS you are burning the CD from ...

[Debale]

Hi, firstly thanks for your quick response.

I am unable to run from Ubuntu live CD as I am unable to burn the disk, I upgraded online. But, I do have the 10.4 version? I am going to log onto 'W' (yuk!!!) maybe the burner will work from there? Worth a try!!! As for the rest of what you posted I do not understand, sorry lol as stated I am a complete beginner and dumb blonde!!!

[Jonathan183]

You should be able to boot from the 10.04 version and use that to change partitions.

[Debale]

You should be able to boot from the 10.04 version and use that to change partitions.

Here is the jargon from fdisk -l. Does this help with providing me with the correct info?

Disk /dev/sda: 100.0 GB, 100030242816 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 12161 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xa1dfa1df

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 383 6240 47054385 7 HPFS/NTFS

[Jonathan183]

Disk /dev/sda: 100.0 GB, 100030242816 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 12161 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xa1dfa1df

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 383 6240 47054385 7 HPFS/NTFS

If that's the full output from fdisk then you only have a single partition on the hard drive. The partition is a Windows partition and it's about 48GB on a 100GB drive. This is an odd partition layout ... and if you have Ubuntu currently installed on that disk it must be a Wubi install.

I have three questions ...
1. is the above the whole output of fdisk
2. do you currently have Ubuntu installed on this hard disk
3. how did you end up with this odd partitioning arrangement ... have you removed Ubuntu or already tried to resize a partition?

[Debale]

Hi

1. Yes that is the whole output of fdisk (I did it again to make sure I hadn't missed anything)
2. Yes, I do currently have Ubuntu installed on the this hard disk. Installed Ubuntu 10.4 about a year ago, I have to select which OS system to use on boot up. they have run like this ever since the download.
3. I do not know how I ended up with this odd partitioning arrangement. I followed the download instructions to have both Ubuntu and W side by side (maybe not the correct terminology), just in case I didn't get on with Ubuntu or it was crap. I have not removed anything or tried to resize either. I haven't managed to get that far!

Thanks for your help and patience, very much appreciated

[jayd512]

If you boot into Windows, looking through your Add/Remove Programs, do you happen to see an entry for Ubuntu listed?
If so, then we have a Wubi Install. Meaning that Ubuntu resides inside your Windows installation as a folder.

[Debale]

Hi

Yes, without even looking I know there is a Ubuntu folder. So, I think you are correct in stating that it is residing within windows! Is it still possible to get rid of windows?

Debs

[jayd512]

It sure is!
From the Ubuntu Forums. Very detailed walk-through for doing just that.
There is also a link early on the gives screen shots of the procedure.