Undoing a dual boot

ChuckBales

ChuckBales

New Member
I currently have an XP/Ubuntu 5.10 dual boot set up and would like to remove Ubuntu and get back the space for XP. I have access to an XP Corporate Edition disc which I was able to boot to recovery console with. Does anyone know how I would go about undoing the dual boot?
 
Well, to get the space back that ubuntu is taking up, then simply delete the partition and redistribute free space... To get the dual boot mebnu to go away you will need to edit your boot.ini file, once you open it up in wordpad its pretty self explanatory what you need to delete from it....
 
My boot.ini contains

Code: 
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

No mention of something other than XP, unless its not explicitely defined.
 
Since you are using xp, depending on your settings, you may not be able to simply search for the boot.ini file. Therefore, to avoid that the easiest way to get to the boot.ini, is through the conrol panel.

control panel >> system icon >> Advanced tab >> Start-Up And Recovery GroupBox >> click settings >> click edit;

Sample boot.ini:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" / fastdetect / NOExecute=OptOut

another option, if you do not feel comfortable altering this file
START >> RUN >> MSCONFIG

on the GENERAL tab there is a radioButton, "Use Original BOOT.INI", click and
apply the changes. Restart and see.
 
I get the multi boot screen installed by Ubuntu, not sure of the actual name, as Ubuntu is the main OS listed, with XP at the bottom.

edit: Seems its called GRUB, looks like this
IMG_0345.JPG
 
Last edited:
i am not familiar with ubuntu, but i found this online, hopefully it makes sense to you...

>Find /boot/grub/menu.lst, it is some where there
> I'll try and help. I do not use ubuntu I'm only guessing at login.
> open a terminal, su, root password then in an editor VI or nano, what
> ever edit menu.lst (you did a backup first?) Add the entry for
> windows above your Linux entry, remember *Default* is a keyword. that
> should work.
>
> ## entry: title(Windows NT/2000/XP on hd0,0) root(hd0,0) chain
> # set windoze to default
> title Windoze 2000 Default
> root (hd0,0)
> makeactive
> chainloader +1
>
>
> Grub disk start at '0' not '1' your first partition on your first hdd
> is where Windows resides is (hd0,0) note '()' are necessary

you want it to always boot into XP...remove the ubuntu section, so that it will load right through, without asking... once into windows again, simply format the partition which contained it.


hope that helps, sorry about the mixup
 
Ill have to try that, are there any free partitioners out there, I used to have Partition Magic 8 but I now get an error 117 rendering it unusable.
 
I'll look into that for you, but I would try removing Partition Magic, including all registry keys and left over files from installation, and put it back on..

may as well if you already have it.
 
Ive already completely removed PM and reinstalled, complains that my hard drive sectors or bad or something. It always happens after installed a Linux distro. I was able to start it up when I have one of my externals turned on, however it shows the main hard drive as one partition labeled "Bad".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top