Want to uninstall Linux and install Windows 7

[hesa80]

I've bought new laptop Acer Aspire 5536 and its Linux preinstalled on it. I want to remove Linux and install Windows 7. I wonder if anyone know the right way to do it and can help me with this?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Do you already have Windows installation disks?
Pretty much you will just format the disk with NTFS and mark it as active.

 

[torrentg]

Hey.

Yeah, sure. Use any partition editor that runs from a Linux live boot cd (search Google, you will find.) Boot to it and delete all partitions on the HDD.

Then boot to Win7 DVD and install.

 

[kegobeer]

Or, do it the easy way and select a custom Windows 7 install, select disk options (advanced), and delete/create partitions to your heart's content.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Or, do it the easy way and select a custom Windows 7 install, select disk options (advanced), and delete/create partitions to your heart's content.

That might not work, depending on where GRUB is stored.

 

[kegobeer]

I don't think it matters, because any time you install Windows after Linux, GRUB is replaced, correct?

 

[Jonathan_King]

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

 

[Jonathan_King]

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?

 

[kegobeer]

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.

 

[torrentg]

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.

Yes, sure. Deleting all partitions will set the disk to look as new from the Windows 7 DVD install vantage point.

 

[Jonathan_King]

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

 

[hesa80]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[hesa80]

Thanks guys, will try to iinstall Windows 7.

 

[kegobeer]

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]

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]

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

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.