HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive

chayil313teache · 10-02-2008, 06:59 PM

PLEASE HELP: i bought a computer that has vixta linux on it.
iam trying to remove it from my computer, and reinstall windows xp, but i can not figure out how to do that. i know that linux has a block on it and i have to get in and delete linux, but i do not know where and how to do it. please help.

**blah789** · 10-02-2008, 09:36 PM

Can you boot from your Windows XP CD? If not, go into BIOS, and set the boot order so that the CD boots first. When you see the message, 'press any key to boot from CD', press a key. Then proceed to installation normally. At one point you'll get a window like this
http://www.sumedh.info/pictures/inst...ion-format.png
If you want to remove all Linux partitions, you can do that from there, then you can proceed with XP installation.

**wmorri** · 10-03-2008, 12:07 AM

I would recommend that you go to GParted. Then download the iso file from there. Next you will need to burn the iso file to a cd. This will create a livecd for GParted. In order to create a livecd you need a cd burner that can can burn iso files.

I would recommend CDburnerXP. This is a great program that is free and works very similarly to Roxy or Nero. Then all you have to do is choose to burn an ISO cd and you will be all set.

Hope this helps you get started on your way.

Cheers!

chayil313teache · 10-03-2008, 07:47 AM

thanks for the help. it will not boot from the windows cd, the message comes up, i hit any key and the computer starts going through the motions then it will just stop, also i think i have even made it worse. i was following this youtube suggestion and now nothing is coming up, it told me to go into the gparted and deleted linux and then it should boot from the cd, well i did, but now i can only go into f2 or f12, i am so lost and upset, i fix my other computer no problem with windows, linux is so messed up.
please help

fredobrien · 10-03-2008, 09:02 AM

Use DBAN to wipe the HD. Then load XP will be like a new HD. It's slow but will clean up HD. Fred

qbawl · 10-03-2008, 09:34 AM

If you use DBan to wipe your drive, read all the instructions and warnings before use. Set it for just a single pass and it shouldn't take too long - an hour or so, probably less. Unless you've got National secrets on your machine, you only need the single pass to wipe your drive of everything now causing you problems.

Linux is messed up?? Installing XP shouldn't be that big an issue once your drive is wiped clean, even if GParted isn't working for you (that's surprising to me). Might be helpful, if you don't already have them, to gather any drivers you need for XP ahead of time so they'll be ready as you need them.

**K-B** · 10-03-2008, 12:48 PM

GParted as mentioned in the post above (by wmorri) will work fine for formatting the hard drive.

You want to boot Gparted, then delete all partitions, then make sure you save your changes. Once that's done, the XP installation disc should be able to create a new partition for itself. If the disc doesn't boot, it might be damaged.

**wmorri** · 10-03-2008, 07:03 PM

I wouldn't recommend using DBan. It is a small but super powerful program. I only use it when I am giving a computer to someone else, or have gotten a computer from someone else. GParted is the way to go for all re-partitioning of a hdd.

Cheers!

**Barry_R** · 10-05-2008, 11:31 AM

If your windows CD starts but stops before getting to the actual windows setup then it could be a scratched CD or your CD drive is dusty inside and cannot read properly.

Clean the CD with a moist soft cloth and let it dry.

Try a can of compressed air sold at most computer stores that is designed to blow out the dust in computers.

Once you get the setup disk to get to the point where it asks where you want windows installed you should be able to delete the partitions and get the hard drive formatted for windows installation.

chayil313teache · 10-07-2008, 11:43 AM

thanks, i took the advise of morri. i did everything and now my computer is up and running and doing great

, thanks for your help. you saved me alot of money.

**wmorri** · 10-07-2008, 12:34 PM

Your welcome!!

Any time that you need help just post a question, and myself or one of the other great people on here will help you as fast as we can.

Cheers!

10-02-2008, 06:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
chayil313teache Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: linux,vixta	HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive PLEASE HELP: i bought a computer that has vixta linux on it. iam trying to remove it from my computer, and reinstall windows xp, but i can not figure out how to do that. i know that linux has a block on it and i have to get in and delete linux, but i do not know where and how to do it. please help. Last edited by sinclair_tm; 10-03-2008 at 08:45 AM. Reason: remove email address as all help must be done in the forum

10-02-2008, 09:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
blah789 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,291 OS: Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP SP3	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive Can you boot from your Windows XP CD? If not, go into BIOS, and set the boot order so that the CD boots first. When you see the message, 'press any key to boot from CD', press a key. Then proceed to installation normally. At one point you'll get a window like this http://www.sumedh.info/pictures/inst...ion-format.png If you want to remove all Linux partitions, you can do that from there, then you can proceed with XP installation.

10-03-2008, 12:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,814 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive I would recommend that you go to GParted. Then download the iso file from there. Next you will need to burn the iso file to a cd. This will create a livecd for GParted. In order to create a livecd you need a cd burner that can can burn iso files. I would recommend CDburnerXP. This is a great program that is free and works very similarly to Roxy or Nero. Then all you have to do is choose to burn an ISO cd and you will be all set. Hope this helps you get started on your way. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

10-03-2008, 07:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
chayil313teache Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: linux,vixta	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive thanks for the help. it will not boot from the windows cd, the message comes up, i hit any key and the computer starts going through the motions then it will just stop, also i think i have even made it worse. i was following this youtube suggestion and now nothing is coming up, it told me to go into the gparted and deleted linux and then it should boot from the cd, well i did, but now i can only go into f2 or f12, i am so lost and upset, i fix my other computer no problem with windows, linux is so messed up. please help

10-03-2008, 09:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
fredobrien Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Clarks Hill, Indiana Posts: 216 OS: XP pro, PCLINUXOS Ubuntu	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive Use DBAN to wipe the HD. Then load XP will be like a new HD. It's slow but will clean up HD. Fred

10-03-2008, 09:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
qbawl Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 435 OS: OSX/Linux/XP	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive If you use DBan to wipe your drive, read all the instructions and warnings before use. Set it for just a single pass and it shouldn't take too long - an hour or so, probably less. Unless you've got National secrets on your machine, you only need the single pass to wipe your drive of everything now causing you problems. Linux is messed up?? Installing XP shouldn't be that big an issue once your drive is wiped clean, even if GParted isn't working for you (that's surprising to me). Might be helpful, if you don't already have them, to gather any drivers you need for XP ahead of time so they'll be ready as you need them.

10-03-2008, 12:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
K-B Moderator, Linux Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,876 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive GParted as mentioned in the post above (by wmorri) will work fine for formatting the hard drive. You want to boot Gparted, then delete all partitions, then make sure you save your changes. Once that's done, the XP installation disc should be able to create a new partition for itself. If the disc doesn't boot, it might be damaged. __________________

10-03-2008, 07:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,814 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive I wouldn't recommend using DBan. It is a small but super powerful program. I only use it when I am giving a computer to someone else, or have gotten a computer from someone else. GParted is the way to go for all re-partitioning of a hdd. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

10-05-2008, 11:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Barry_R TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: California Posts: 700 OS: Win XP Home, Linux Mint My System	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive If your windows CD starts but stops before getting to the actual windows setup then it could be a scratched CD or your CD drive is dusty inside and cannot read properly. Clean the CD with a moist soft cloth and let it dry. Try a can of compressed air sold at most computer stores that is designed to blow out the dust in computers. Once you get the setup disk to get to the point where it asks where you want windows installed you should be able to delete the partitions and get the hard drive formatted for windows installation.

10-07-2008, 11:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
chayil313teache Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: linux,vixta	thanks for your help thanks, i took the advise of morri. i did everything and now my computer is up and running and doing great , thanks for your help. you saved me alot of money.

10-07-2008, 12:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,814 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: HELP!!!! removing linux vixta from hard drive Your welcome!! Any time that you need help just post a question, and myself or one of the other great people on here will help you as fast as we can. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!