Remove dual boot partition

[lenberman]

6 months ago I installed Linux Mint as a dual boot with Windows 7. When I installed Mint, I setup 30 GB for it's partition. When I look at what I think might be the Linux volume, it listed it at 33 GB. I want to install Linux Zorin to replace Mint. Hopefully, I can just delete the Mint partition and re-do the whole dual boot set up, then install Zorin. When I look at my hard drive in disk management (see attached) I see a partition (without a drive letter) that is 31.79 GB. Can I just right click, delete and Mint is gone? My concern is that there are other partitions, one that's a 25.7 GB OEM partition.
Len

 

[AddRAM]

You do know you don`t have to install Linux to run it, right ?

I use Linux mint right off a flash drive.

 

[lenberman]

Can I run a custom installation with my own wallpaper, theme, desktop, browser and documents? If so, please tell me how to do it!

Thanks,
Len

 

[AddRAM]

Not off a flash drive, every time you run it from the flash drive it`s just bare Linux.

Why do you need wallpaper, themes etc ?

How often do you actually use Linux ?

 

[whs]

1. I recommend you read this first: How to Uninstall a Linux Dual-Boot System From Your Computer

2. Install Mint Mate on a Flash drive - my version. Note: I made this a while ago with Mint 14, but that is the same with 16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=x4uz4RkwWa0

Universal Installer download: http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

 

[gregrocker]

You have a Dell? That OEM partition at the end houses your Utility partition. If you can boot into F12 and run Diagnostics and Utility partition choices to get the full menu of hardware tests (do it now to see) then it is still worth keeping. Otherwise it's pretty clear the 31gb is the partition you want to replace.

Good resources here for Best Practices for Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux - Windows 7 Forums
and Dual boot Ubuntu-Win7

 

[lenberman]

Thank you

 

[lenberman]

I deleted the partition, restarted but it appears I screwed up. Now I get nothing but a black screen displaying: error ; unknown filesystem. grub rescue> I cant seem to get past this. Please help!

Len

 

[gregrocker]

Did that partition hold GRUB?

Mark the 100 mb System Reserved Partition Active then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

 

[lenberman]

I can't get to disk management in Windowsto make the partition active, I can't get past the grub repair screen

 

[lenberman]

Solved: I re installed Linux and got back the grub. Now both Windows and Zorin Linux are both working as they should.