Problems uninstalling linux

[Redwolf]

I installed linux on my old machine to play around with. Now I can't get it off. I tried using fdisk w/win98 and I removed one partition. When I configured my hard drive (I was just about to install windows) with the Win98 system (MSDOS.sys, IO.sys, COMMAND.com), the machine tried to load linux. It crashed complaining about the system paniking. I tried to run Fdisk agian and It didn't work. I reinstalled linux (w/new partitions) and it still didn't work. I ran fdisk /status and it said there were nop fixed disks (of course) of DOS caliber. That works but just typing fdisk boots me back to the dos prompt. I tried installing DOS directly and it looked linke it worked, then did the same thing when I tried installing windows beforehand. HELP!

Just to clarify, I tried installing Windows first, then tried to install DOS6. Both times fdisk did not work.

[vass0922]

have you tried fdisk /fixmbr I think the command is...

or maybe just fdisk /mbr

think fixmbr is win2k

typically there are at least 3 partitions for linux (should show up in fdisk as NON-DOS Partitions)

you couldn't get rid of all 3?

[Praetorian]

Remove all Linux partitions. Restart the machine. Create 1 partition for Windows (or how ever many you'd like) and format the partition. Should work fine after that.

Yeah, what Vass said. If its a problem with the master boot record then do fdisk /mbr at the command line.

Thanks Vass! Almost forgot that one.

[Redwolf]

fdisk /mbr didn't work. Told me that there were no fixed disks present. Any other ideas? Still can't get into fdisk.

[Kuasimodem]

What kind of hard drive do you have? I had to remove Linux from my WD and fdisk wouldn't do it, as a last resort, I put in my Western Digital DataLifeguard Tools floppy, and it just ignores what's on the disk and does a format however you want it.

Try using the software disk that came with your hard drive, and run it like it's a brand new install. It worked for me

[robin801]

i had to run the mandrake cd up to where it wants to format the drive and just wipe the drive clean from there.

i had to wipe the whole drive clean and start all over with the win98se install.

robin

[Redwolf]

I wish I had disks. It's an old Bigfoot drive a friend gave to me when my old drive pooped out.

How do I clean out a linux installation then?

[vass0922]

ewww bigfoot
I have one of those, 4 gigs lol
LOUD, and SLOW lol

Maybe something like BCWIPE will do it

[ChoaticWhisper]

I just used the install disk and go though it like your going to install it make sure you choose expert install and when it shows your partitions. Windows will be Blue, linux swap will green, and linux partitions will be red just choose those and format them to fat32 from there or del them so they are white and then fdisk. Also make sure after that you do the fdisk /mbr or you might not have to thats just so it will clear out the grub or lilo.

[Kuasimodem]

Go here and download MaxBlast. It will partition and format any drive, very quickly.

Hope it works

[Redwolf]

DP

[Redwolf]

GDI Missile Command v.5.000.0000.0001
Would you like to play a game?
]Yes
What game?
]Gobal Thermonuclear War
Are you sure?
]yes
What side?
1. GDI
2. NOD
]1
What missile?
]Maxblast
Loading.........OK
Seting up missile..................OK
Creating boot disk........OK
Testing missile systems.......OK
Aquiring target............OK
Firing...Enter Passcode
]**********
OK
Missile Fired.

DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!


Well, it looks a bit dead now.
Guess I'll be singin Christmas at Ground Zero now.

YES! It WORKED!!!!! YEAH!!!
THANK YOU KUASIMODEM! YES!!!!

*Ehhem*

[AzKidd69]

LOL>>>>>>>>>>>

That was amusing... Glad to see you got it fixed (or should I say wiped??)

[Redwolf]

Installing Win98SE now. Thanx guys!

[Kuasimodem]

Glad you got it going!!!

I added MaxBlast to my list of handy apps about a month ago, when I was working on a Compuq with a Quantum Bigfoot.

[Praetorian]

Glad you got it off, but why didnt you like Linux? Hardware problems or something else? I'm not gonna try and pressure you, just a little curious.

[vass0922]

*sigh*
can't believe somebody jumped OFF the bandwagon!
We'll just have to try harder folks

Maybe a new distro of Linux

Crack Linux, you CAN'T walk away!! hehe

[wyvrn]

I had this same problem today. Used FDISK to delete all parts (all were linux) and tried rebooting with my windows boot disk but it tried to load linux again, then failed. I just fdisk /mbr and rebooted and linux was gone.

[Redwolf]

No, don't take it the wrong way. Linux was great. The problem was that:

a) I needed windows back on to use the printer and to play network games.

b) I couldn't get the internet to work properly. I need a better proxy server I guess.

c) That wasn't to perfect computer to use for experimentation.

I know some of you are thinking the works "dual-boot" right now. Well, I got some words for you: "2 Gig Hard Drive".

[pbharris]

Originally posted by Redwolf
No, don't take it the wrong way. Linux was great. The problem was that:

a) I needed windows back on to use the printer and to play network games.

b) I couldn't get the internet to work properly. I need a better proxy server I guess.

c) That wasn't to perfect computer to use for experimentation.

I know some of you are thinking the works "dual-boot" right now. Well, I got some words for you: "2 Gig Hard Drive".

wow - i'm impressed you installed it all!