how to delete linux's bootloader files

[benthepenguin]

i installed linux(fedora) and grub. when i booted my pc i noticed that i cant select xp anymore. i made stupid decision and inserted xp cd and started to reinstall windows. i formated my hardrive. installer works for fine untill first boot. i says that: to run this cd press enter(i hav finish widows, bad translation, i know)if i press enter installation will start all over again. if i dont do anything, text appears: an error occured when loading windows(bad translation agian) so is there any way i could get my windows to work. harware is no problem(i hav previously installed xp to my system) how can i delete lnux's bootloader( or whtever it is)

 

[n0cmonkey]

format /mbr
I think.

 

[benthepenguin]

i cant give any commands. just reinstall windows is possible. maybe bootdisk will help...

 

[drag]

if that doesn't work and their is absolutely nothing you want to keep on the harddrive (because this command will destroy whatever is left)

Boot up with a linux boot CD.

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda

Were:
/dev/hda = primary master IDE device
/dev/hdb = primary slave IDE device
/dev/hdc = secondary master IDE device
/dev/hdd = secondary slave IDE device

That will completely wipe out your master boot record and any partition information. It shouldn't say anything, just run. It will just be a blank line, but you should see harddrive activity. Let it go for 5-10 minutes and then hit ctrl-C to cancel it.

Then reboot and go ahead and install like normal.

 

[benthepenguin]

im really newbie on linux. i just have to insert cd (wich one of em? i got 4) and how can i give commands. when i first time installed linux(yesterday) there was some txt. i choosed anaconda. should i go txt mode?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Try the command I typed in from the recovery console command line doohicky after booting from your Windows CD. Or boot from a DOS bootdisk and use that command from it.

 

[benthepenguin]

tried that format /mbr. i just cant select y!( i cant write it but nothing happends). i tried capitals also. n is fine for it. how is this possible!

i tried that "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda"
i booted with cd 1. there was text: boot. wrote that "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda" but it says: could not find kernel image dd. what that means?

 

[Ryoga]

First determine the make of your hard drive (WD, Maxtor, IBM/Hitachi, etc.).

Next, find and download the drive utilities for your make of drive (WD Data LifeGuard Tools, Maxtor Powermax, Hitachi Drive Fitness Tools, Seagate SeaTools).

Run the utility (usually from a boot floppy created by the utility setup in Windows) and direct it to erase the first few sectors of the HDD (or the entire disk otherwise). That will return the drive to the way it was when it left the factory.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: benthepenguin
tried that format /mbr. i just cant select y!( i cant write it but nothing happends). i tried capitals also. n is fine for it. how is this possible!

i tried that "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda"
i booted with cd 1. there was text: boot. wrote that "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda" but it says: could not find kernel image dd. what that means?

You just weren't booted up all the way. It was asking for a kernel image. Just press enter there.

Sorry. You need to get booted up and get to a command line first, guess I should of mentioned that.

Once you get all the way booted, and it starts asking for installation stuff switch to a terminal.

the button keycombo is ctl-alt-F2

And that should get you to a command prompt.. once their you can do commands like "ls" and whatnot.

Then try:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda

see if that helps. if not then go and find the drive utilities like Ryoga said.

 

[benthepenguin]

i could try that maxtor powermax stuff. problem is. that i cant get to windows. but luckily my bro has same hd that i do. so im getting powermax to my bros computer, then creating a boot floppy for my computer. ill try that

 

[ugh]

Boot up using the XP CD and go to the Recovery Console. Once there, type in "fixmbr". That'll clear up all the crap in the MBR and make you able to boot to XP again.

 

[benthepenguin]

that powermax fixed it! ty everyone !!!!!

 

[pitupepito2000]

I remember when I first tried linux, and I couldn't get rid of the linux bootloader that was in the MBR. It was pretty scary for a newbie like me to not be able to boot any OS