If you have a dual-boot system with Linux and Windows, then you probably know that when you start your system first Linux boot loader appears showing Linux as well as Windows boot entries and if you select Windows from the list, it starts Windows.
Suppose a situation when you want to remove Linux from your system and want to use only Windows, then how will you do it?
Many times people delete the partitions having Linux installed from "Disk Manager" but it doesnt remove Linux completely. The Linux boot loader still appears at startup but since you deleted Linux partitions, the boot loader gets corrupted and your system becomes unusable.
So if you are also facing this problem or you faced this problem in past and could not get a working solution, then read this tutorial and you can follow it if you find yourself in a similar situation.
This tutorial will help you in completely removing Linux from a dual-boot system:
1. First you'll need to boot using Windows setup CD. You can use Windows 98 Setup CD or Windows 2000, XP, 2003 CD or Windows Vista, Server 2008 DVD.
A. Using Windows 98 CD:
Boot into Command Prompt and provide following command:
fdisk /MBR
Now exit from command prompt by typing Exit and press Enter.
B. Using Windows 2000, XP, 2003 CD:
Enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R", select your Windows installation and enter administrator password. Now provide following command:
fixmbr
Press "Y" to confirm and type Exit to exit from recovery console.
C. Using Windows Vista, Server 2008 DVD:
Boot using setup DVD and click on "Repair Computer" link, then click on "Command Prompt". Now navigate to your DVD drive using CD command and at last provide following command:
bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr
Exit from Command prompt and restart your system.
Thanks to Ramesh Kumar (Fellow MVP) to provide this trick.
2. The above commands will remove the Linux boot loader from startup and you'll be able to directly boot into Windows.
3. If you have not deleted Linux partitions, then you can delete them using "Disk Manager" tool in Windows.
This article was posted in Linux, Troubleshooting, Windows XP.
Subscribe to RSS Feed |
Email Newsletter |
More Articles
Related Articles
Popular Articles
- Frequently Asked Problems with Solutions
- Is Your System Infected with a Virus / Spyware / Adware / Trojan?
- Transform Windows Vista into 7 without using Customization pack
- Transform Windows XP into 7 without using Customization pack
- Transform Windows XP into Vista without using Customization pack
- All About Resource Hacker in a brief Tutorial
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows 7 Super Fast
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows Vista Super Fast
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows XP Super Fast
- All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows XP, Vista and 7
Aaron
Umm...I have windows xp, but only have the disc for 2000. Can I use it?
VG
^^ I think yes.
Aaron
Okay, it worked. Thanks a lot!
Robert
I have been unable to find any reference in Microsoft's web pages for a reference to the "/mbr" switch for bootsect.exe
For example: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749177%28WS.10%29.aspx
lists: /nt52, /nt60, SYS, ALL, "drive letter", and /force
Can you please provide a Microsoft source for your use of the /mbr switch for bootsect.exe?
I am aware /mbr has been used with other commands in the past.
VG
^^ Here you go:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744577%28WS.10%29.aspx
Fused
THANKYOU!
Could not get my head around fixing it up in Windows 7.
The vista/server fix works.
Hamzah
Many Thanks for your support. So very kind.