Want to uninstall Linux and install Windows 7

Jonathan_King · 24 Nov 2009

Well, let's just wait for the OP to post back and we will find out.

hesa80 · 24 Nov 2009

What about MBR. I've read that that need to be fixed as well, before installing Windows or PC will not boot at all? Is it true? Is it really enough just to format partitions through Windows install CD?

kegobeer · 24 Nov 2009

No - if you install Windows 7, it will add itself to the MBR and overwrite GRUB. Windows 7 will boot and load. At least, according to this Linux expert anyway:

Adding Windows 7 to Linux Multiboot Loko’s Domain

hesa80 · 24 Nov 2009

Is in it tthat if you will delet those partition through Windows 7 CD they are going to be like "Unknown Partition"? I'm so green about everything what concerns Linux :)

Mark Phelps · 25 Nov 2009

kegobeer said:

If you nuke all existing partitions on a drive (or at least the primary partition), it should remove GRUB. It's been a while since I've installed Linux, but that's how I remember it.

That's only the case if GRUB was installed entirely to a partition. In nearly all cases, however, when Linux is installed, the default is used to install some of the GRUB code to the MBR of the "first" hard drive in the system.

Since the MBR is NOT contained in any partition, even wiping all the partitions (unless you do that in a way that wipes the entire drive), will not touch the MBR, thus, leaving the GRUB code there intact.

Nburnes · 25 Nov 2009

I know from experience. When you install Windows 7 it will over write GRUB installed in the MBR.

hesa80 · 26 Nov 2009

Thanks guys, will try to iinstall Windows 7.

kegobeer · 26 Nov 2009

Mark Phelps said:

kegobeer said:

If you nuke all existing partitions on a drive (or at least the primary partition), it should remove GRUB. It's been a while since I've installed Linux, but that's how I remember it.

That's only the case if GRUB was installed entirely to a partition. In nearly all cases, however, when Linux is installed, the default is used to install some of the GRUB code to the MBR of the "first" hard drive in the system.

Since the MBR is NOT contained in any partition, even wiping all the partitions (unless you do that in a way that wipes the entire drive), will not touch the MBR, thus, leaving the GRUB code there intact.

I use nuke as a metaphor to remove partitions. Removing the primary partition will remove the MBR.

mushroomboy · 26 Nov 2009

OMFG it's suck a lame thread so far. You are ALL n00bs in LiNuX! There is a battle between Linux vs Win in the MBR area. Both like to have control but only one needs control. Which one is that? WINBLOWS!!! yeah windows will always over wright the MBR, it's a huge problem as windows doesn't give you an alternative to installing on the partition as apposed to grub. It goes as follows:

Install linux then windows = Windows on MBR ALWAYS
Install windows then linux = either Windows on MBR and grub on partition or just grub!

Those are the rules, the only rules, follow those rules.

pparks1 · 26 Nov 2009

Jonathan King said:

No, I found out the hard way. GRUB like to really embed itself in the hard drive.

Jonathan King said:

Put it this way: as far as I know, there is not a way to format a disk in Windows Setup. You can format partitions, but GRUB is pretty...tough to get rid of?

Hmmm...I've gone from Linux on machines to Windows and back and forth and I've never experienced problems with Grub sticking around.

One time I had trouble with Windows not recognizing my partition (was using EXT4 or JFS or something) and I had to boot with Gparted and simply delete the partitions. Then I was able to install from the Windows install disc without any trouble.