Removing Linux Hard Disk Partitions

[unixgy]

Hello.

I have a system with a 5GB drive with RedHat Linux 8.0 installed on it. I need to remove the linux partitions and install windows 2000 (I know, but I'm being forced to do this!)

Anyway, when I try fdisk'ing the disk it says that I cannot delete the partition while logical drives exist - but none show up to delete.

Any ideas?

Jeff

 

[flugh]

I usually would use the gnu fdisk utility to delete the Linux partitions. I keep a couple setup CD-ROMs around. Put one in, get to the partition part, delete them all, make new ones, set the filesystem type to "0B" (Fat32, LBA), write it, set it bootable, done. I've never gotten the hang of using MS' fdisk in this situation.

If you don't have the setup disk for Linux, just boot into Linux, do the same thing. Kind of an OS "suicide" ;-). You can also use this opportunity to run a "lilo -u" to uninstall lilo and avoid any lilo prompts later on.

Good luck! --
JR

 

[paleogryph]

In the MS fdisk you have to delete the "logical drives" before you can delete the partition. I think as long as the "drives" are "inside" that partition it won't let you delete it.

 

[ag6969]

If you can't blow away the partitions using the Linux fdisk tool, an easy way is to use a utility called delpart. Do a search on google for delpart. This utility is actually an old MS resource kit tool, it's easy to use. MSDOS Fdisk can only blow away DOS logical drives, not those created by another OS.
Just make sure after blowing away the partition, (and after a reboot), using a boot disk with (MSDOS) fdisk, type the following at a command prompt:

fdisk /mbr

This will hose the Linux boot loader, although Win2k should eliminate it anyways.

 

[smah]

Here's another way that works quite well.

http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3000-2094-8838570.html?tag=lst-0-1

 

[pweegar]

Easiest way to remove those linux partitions is with Partition Magic. It'll get rid of anything. And you can set up your new partition and even format it. I've done it several times.