Remove XP from 7/XP dual boot and replace with Linux

Bobthebass · 20 Sep 2011

Hi there,

A while back I joined the wonderful world of Win7 by installing it in a dual boot with my existing XP.

Since then I have used XP about 5 times in three months so I think it's finally time to get rid of it.

What I would like to do is replace the XP with Linux (Mint or Ubuntu) as I would like to learn more about Linux and have reached the extent of what I can do booting into a LiveCD.

So the job is remove XP and install Linux. But I'm sure it's not going to be quite as simple as that, so I thought I would ask for input here.

Win7 and XP are installed on two partitions of the same disk, 7 on C: and XP on F: (see attached)

Any guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

JaidynM · 20 Sep 2011

I found this old thread that might help you. Have a read, it should help you. The below is quoted from that particular thread.

gregrocker said:

If you format XP on the first partition, it will make Win7 unbootable.

You need to mark Win7 active in Disk Managment, delete XP partition, then boot into the Win7 installer Repair console and run Startup Repair 3 times to rewrite the MBR.

If you want the Win7 partition moved into the lower address, use bootable Partition Wizard to move it over into the deleted XP space, mark it active then boot into Win7installer and run Startup Repair 3 times to solve multple issues..

gregrocker · 21 Sep 2011

Conveniently, the best way to Dual Boot Win7 with Ubuntu is to install Ubuntu last, which you would be doing if you boot it to format the XP partition and install. Here are the steps: Dual-Boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu in Perfect Harmony

Even better is if you can use separate HD´s booted via the BIOS boot order or one-time BIOS Boot Menu key. This keeps GRUB from potentially corrupting Win7 when on the same HD.

theog · 22 Sep 2011

1) Remove the Win Xp entry, with EsayBCD.

Remove XP from 7/XP dual boot and replace with Linux-easybcd-003.png

2) Delete partition F: