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winxp + linux dual boot setup

N

Nab

Senior member
I have two harddrive (one dedicated to XP and one to Mandrake Linux). I want to get rid of the Grub loader in the beginning and format my second harddrive (the one with linux). Can anyone tell me how to get rid of the loader in the beginning? And will i have a problem formatting the other drive using windows? Thanks for the help.

-nabiscc
 
Make sure that you have a Windows rescue disk with the recover console so you can do the fixmbr thing to restore the XP loader.

Once you do that then you'll be free to format the Linux partition without fear. You should be able to do it from Windows XP, but if you run into problems then boot up with a Linux disk (like tomsrtbt rescue floppy or knoppix) and run the dd command to wipe the drive, or use the harddrive manufacturer's utility to wipe it for you.

the command would be something like "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hdb" as long as you know which /dev/hdb device your harddrive corrisponds to (hda = primary master, hdb =primary slave, hdc = secondary master, hdc = secondary slave).

That will zereo out your harddrive. Then it would be easy to format it with any tool with no risk. (don't accidently wipe out your WinXP installation!!)
 
It's fdisk /mbr or format /mbr, can't remember which. A quick google search, or a search here should pop up the answer if you don't want to just boot into the XP recovery console and give it a shot.

Windows shouldn't have an issue with partitioning and formatting the new drive. Just use fdisk or whatever to delete the linux partitions.

EDIT: Doh, got beaten by drag, again. fixmbr was the answer. 😛
 
To run fixmbr:

" The fixmbr command is only available when you are using the Recovery Console "

In order to get to the Recovery Console I need the Setup CD-ROM but the problem is that I'm at college and I need to go home in order to get that (which i dont want to have to do).

Is there anyway around going through that hassle?
 
If you have 6 floppies, you can get to the recovery console with the XP setup disks.

Another option is to keep GRUB and just erase Linux. It's not like the two need each other.
 
Originally posted by: Ryoga

Another option is to keep GRUB and just erase Linux. It's not like the two need each other.
Click to expand...

Unless you delete menu.lst in the process. Then you have an unbootable system. Since menu.lst is most likely on your linux partition, you're in trouble.
 
Originally posted by: sciencewhiz
Originally posted by: Ryoga

Another option is to keep GRUB and just erase Linux. It's not like the two need each other.
Click to expand...

Unless you delete menu.lst in the process. Then you have an unbootable system. Since menu.lst is most likely on your linux partition, you're in trouble.
Click to expand...


Grub will still run without it, you just loose all your settings. Grub has a built in command line that you can use to specify boot setups.

At least I think it will work.

The command to get it to boot would be:
norootverify (hd0,0) <enter>
chainloader +1 <enter>
boot <enter>
 
true, not totally unbootable, but to someone who doesn't know how to remove grub it would be.

Booting from floppy and CD would still work too.
 
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