when i first installed redhat linux 7.3, i also installed the grub boot loader so that it will be able to boot to linux os. now i don't want linux anymore, i decided to use the fdisk to delete the partition that i've used for linux. for some reason, when i click on deleting extended partion, it says something like there are logical drive present...can't delete extended partition. when i click on delete logical drive, it said that there's no logical drive. so how would i delete this linux partition and restore the space back to windows? i have 1 harddrive, windows 2000 dual boot with lunix 7.3 thanks
#1. "RE: deleting extended partition" In response to 1l (Reply # 0)
Grogan or someone will be along with the particulars, but since you used a Linux dingus to create it, you need to remove it with same is how it goes I think.
#2. "RE: deleting extended partition" In response to 1l (Reply # 0) Fri Oct-18-02 12:02 AM
That is exactly what you get, if it is anything other than primary NON DOS partitions. It seldom is.
You need to use a Linux partitioning utility to delete Linux partitions. Someone may say "but you can use delpart.exe". Don't listen to them, for you may damage the partition tables and lose access to the partitions you don't wish to delete. Only use delpart if you're willing to delete all partitions and start over.
I see far too much misinformed information with regard to deleting Linux partitions... including from Microsoft (who says to use fdisk in a knowledge base article)
So, here's what you do. Boot with your redhat CD and start the Linux installation. Use the partitioning utility to delete the Linux partitions. Start with logical, then delete the Linux extended partition, then delete any primary Linux partitions. Don't touch your Windows partitions obviously. Commit changes, then shut the PC off.
You can also use the Linux fdisk utilty or cfdisk from a Linux rescue boot disk.
You can probably also use partition magic to delete your Linux partitions, if you have a modern version.
To get rid of Grub from the master boot record, either boot with a Windows 98 startup disk and do fdisk /mbr from the A:\> prompt (it won't harm the Windows 2000 boot loader... first boot will tell you it's detected hardware and it'll make you reboot. It's writing a MBR signature and GUID values in the registry. After that it should be fine). Note: don't do "sys c:" from a Windows 98 startup disk, for that will surely destroy your Windows 2000 boot loader.
Or boot with the Windows 2000 CD and start the recovery console and use the fixmbr command. (This is what I'd recommend)