Solved Need help deleting linux and installing windows.

[Element7]

I messed up a little yesterday and now only have Linux Mint Mate 14 installed on my laptop. I want to completely wipe the harddrive and install windows again. I have all my data backed up on an external hard drive.

What I've tried so far is booting a live linux dvd and using GParted to delete all the partitions there are. Now there is only a Unallocated partition.

The problem is that when I try to boot from my windows xp or windows 7 disk, it gives me the following error.

error : no such partition.
grub rescue>



What do I do now?

 

[Golden]

Hi,

All you need is the Windows 7 disk. During installation, opt to format the entire disk as part of the installation.

error : no such partition.
grub rescue>

This ^ error message means that you are definitely not booting from the installation disk, but still booting from the messed-up Linux installation.

Do this:

1. In your BIOS, double-check that the DVD drive is 1st in the boot priority. Save that setting using F10 in the BIOS.
2. Insert the installation disk in the drive, then reboot the PC.
3. Windows will load from the disk - proceed with installation as normal.

A useful guide:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Take note of Step #7.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Element7]

I have done exactly that but still get the error. I think it is a problem with the windows disks.

 

[Golden]

Thats possible - download a new ISO here:

http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/14-windows-7-direct-download-links

And write it to a 4GB USB flashdrive using this MS tool:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...iteID=msstore&pbPage=Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

Boot from the USB, and install from that.

 

[theog]

Try Cleaning the HD Drive, using the CLEAN command, or CLEAN ALL command, in Step One in this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[Element7]

Try Cleaning the HD Drive, using the CLEAN command, or CLEAN ALL command, in Step One in this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

I can't do that. It goes straight to the error message. I don't get a screen that says "press any key to boot from cd/dvd".

 

[theog]

Boot the Windows 7 DVD from the One Time Boot Menu.

 

[Element7]

Ok I downloaded a win 7 recovery disk iso and did the diskpart thing. It said it cleaned the disk successfully.

Now when I try to boot from the win dvd it gives me this error.

I tried the win 7 disk in another laptop and there it also doesn't boot from it.

I'll download a new win 7 iso and see if it works then.

 

[Element7]

Ok I downloaded a win 7 recovery disk iso and did the diskpart thing. It said it cleaned the disk successfully.

Now when I try to boot from the win dvd it gives me this error.

I tried the win 7 disk in another laptop and there it also doesn't boot from it.

I'll download a new win 7 iso and see if it works then.

 

[theog]

Reset BIOS boot order to Atheros PCIE Ethernet Controller to last boot.

 

[Element7]

Nope, still the same error message.

 

[theog]

Looks like a Bad DVD drive or Windows 7 DVD, as the Repair CD will boot.

 

[Element7]

Downloading Windows XP now. Will try to install it and then install Windows 7 over it.

 

[Element7]

Fuc*, I downloaded Win XP SP3 from the microsoft website but it didn't boot on either laptop. Maybe the version I downloaded is unbootable?

I'll download win 7 or 8 from the site given by Golden in this thread tomorrow. I hope one of them will work.

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.
How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt.You are creating the partition here for the purpose of marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

 

[AddRAM]

You have to get a good iso and burn to a dvd and test on another machine before you go any further. What tool are you using to burn the iso to the dvd ? Are you confirming the size of the iso after you download it ? It should be 3.09 GBs.

 

[Golden]

Try the USB method I posted earlier - that will negate the possibility of bad DVD disks, or DVD drive.

 

[Element7]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.
How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt.You are creating the partition here for the purpose of marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

I've done the DISKPART step and everything worked fine. Then I found a original windows XP cd. It booted from the cd, then prepared the setup. Just when it should start the setup I get this BSOD.

STOP: 0x0000007B (0xF78D2524 , 0xC0000034 , 0x00000000 , 0x00000000)

When I try to run CHKDSK /F, I get this message.

"The type of file system is NTFS.
Cannot lock current drive.
Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected."

 

[Element7]

I've managed to run chkdsk by typing chkdsk c: /f /r /x

Also I solved the bsod by changing [sata] support to [ide] support.

Win XP is now installing!

 

[Golden]

I thought you were wanting to install Windows 7........?