Linux Filesystem Format?

[ben.b]

Hi,

I was/am dual booting Linux, but now I would like to get rid of Linux and use the harddrive for better things, like Windows XP :D Does anybody have any ideas of how to reformat the ext2 harddrive to NTFS?

Thanks.

[Scarecrow Man]

fdisk will delete the partition and you can create a new one, and format it any way you like. As long as you don't mind nuking anything that is on that particular partition (it won't do anything to a seperate partition)

Just make a windows98 boot disk, or get one from http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and boot your computer from it.

Type fdisk and follow the on screen prompts to delete a non-dos partition. Then, create a new dos partition, boot back to windows and format it.

[expertec]

Hang on a mo... what are you dual-booting linux with?

[Redhat]

I just have to ask why you chose to use ext2? There is ext3 which is faster and more secure. There is also Reiser but in my experience , RFS has more corruptions than ext3.

[r4may]

When Did Windows XP get to be better or more useful than Linux ? :lol:

[Scarecrow Man]

I'd agree with r4may.. I was dual-booting, but I have dial-up and a win modem, so I couldn't use the internet with Linux. That's why I removed it.

[ben.b]

I will try the bootdisc thing, I was dual-booting Fedora Core 2 with XP Pro SP2. I removed it because I am running a VERY slow computer (700 mhz celeron, 160 mb ram) and it constantly froze. The thing that put me over the edge is when it put me in a DOS-like state and I had problems shutting it down etc, etc. XP works much better for me, plus it's more user friendly. I find installing stuff in Linux, a big hassel, even it is an rpm. And, I *think* im using ext2. I may be using ext3 because in the install process I told Linux to "automatically format" so whatever the default FC2 setting is, thats what I'm using partition wise.

[ben.b]

I tried the bootdisk fdisk thing and it only showed the NTFS partition. It didn't even regester that there was another hard drive. I was using a downloaded 98 disk, so I will use the XP "Create MS-DOS startup disc" option.

[ben.b]

The 98 disc worked, but now I can't access Windows. It was set to boot GRUB off the 20 gig, but since it isn't there, it just sits at the screen doing nothing, except saying GRUB error 17.

[mark2]

With your windows 98 boot floppy, boot up with it.

Then at the A prompt just type fdisk /mbr

remember the space between fdisk and /

[r4may]

I'd agree with r4may.. I was dual-booting, but I have dial-up and a win modem, so I couldn't use the internet with Linux. That's why I removed it.

I used to have that problem before I went to Broadband but I solved it by getting a normal serial port modem that worked with both:

Beb-b

I was/am dual booting Linux, but now I would like to get rid of Linux and use the harddrive for better things, like Windows XP  Does anybody have any ideas of how to reformat the ext2 harddrive to NTFS?

You could always use something like Partion Magic in windows :(

[Scarecrow Man]

I'd agree with r4may.. I was dual-booting, but I have dial-up and a win modem, so I couldn't use the internet with Linux. That's why I removed it.

I used to have that problem before I went to Broadband but I solved it by getting a normal serial port modem that worked with both:

I live in the country. Telephone and electricity is all I get. If I want anything else I have to take a 20 minute drive.

[ben.b]

I did the fdisk /mbr and now when I start my computer it says "Missing Operating System". Is there a way to set it to boot from C:?

[Scarecrow Man]

Type them in exactly as I do

fixboot

fixmbr

Did you do both? Note it's not fdisk /mbr

[ben.b]

When I got to the main prompt I tried botth "fixboot" and "fixmbr" and is said "Bad command or file name". Do I have to do fdisk /fixboot or something?

[Scarecrow Man]

You have to boot from the WindowsXP CD and follow the prompts to the Recovery Console.

If you would like to make boot disks (there are 4) for windows XP, go here

[ben.b]

I tried to boot via XP discs, but couldn't. The floppies and CD just stood there saying "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration". I think any other boot floppys work, including the 98 floppy on the website you gave me. I was using XP Pro SP2 floppys, what I was supposed to be using.

[Scarecrow Man]

You may have to set your computer to try booting from CD first. This is done in the bios. When your computer starts it checks RAM, and drives. This is the bios doing the first check. When that screen comes up press delete (or the key specified on the screen to enter setup) and look for the boot sequence or boot order and change CD-ROM to first.

Use the standard windows XP start up disk's if your using floppy, not custom

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...55-BD5AFEE126D8

[ben.b]

I don't think a messed up boot-disc is the problem. The CD is used to install Windows in the first place (XP SP1) won't work either. It just sits and says Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration. I tried XP Pro SP1 floppy, not working, XP Home floppy, not working, and XP Pro floppy, not working. When my computer boots it goes through BIOS, then the floppy starts making its noise and the light is on the front of the drive. After about 3 seconds in "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration", everything stops. No floppy noises, no light. I really don't think its my floppy drive or floppy discs, because the 98 disc works fine.