Sorting Partition/Formatting To Get XP Back After Linux Error

JamboUK · 23-09-2005, 18:27

Hi people,

Made a grave error whilst tinkering and dual booting with different Linux Distro. Gone and plonked Fedora FC4 on what was my XP hard drive (and I assume getting rid of the partitions - duh!). Plus side is FC4 works fine.... downside is.... not on the drive I want it on.

I have to face the facts I now have a hard slog of putting XP Pro back on. Problem is when put the Windows XP install disk in to sort the hard drive out it boots and goes off to detect hardware configuration/setup and then blank screen... nothing.....

What do I have to do to this drive to get things back to normal? Any tips?

MovedGoalPosts · 23-09-2005, 19:37

hmm, suspicion is that it can't read the partition that linux accidentally was installed to. When reinstalling windows, try and find a way to tell it to do a new install, rather than a repair, so you could delete and then recreate a partition.

Does mean that if you do have any data files still on the partition, there will be no way of recovering them

ikthius · 23-09-2005, 19:41

I personally would start again, format your hard drive and plonk in XP.

once that is up and running.

plonk in your FC4 on the HD that you wanted to have it on.

I have been told that it is better to have windows on before linux, if your doing a dual boot.

ik

JamboUK · 23-09-2005, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

hmm, suspicion is that it can't read the partition that linux accidentally was installed to. When reinstalling windows, try and find a way to tell it to do a new install, rather than a repair, so you could delete and then recreate a partition.

Does mean that if you do have any data files still on the partition, there will be no way of recovering them

Well ... I would have tried to do a proper install if the XP disk had run.... rather oddly the way I got around it was by only plugging in the HD after the Windows XP install disk had booted up!!!!

Odd... has FC4 had no problems running from this drive so it wasn't corrupt!!
__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

I personally would start again, format your hard drive and plonk in XP.

once that is up and running.

plonk in your FC4 on the HD that you wanted to have it on.

I have been told that it is better to have windows on before linux, if your doing a dual boot.

ik

Exactly what I am trying to do!!

23-09-2005, 19:52

Does this help?

http://rcc.bgsu.edu/computing/xpformat/

JamboUK · 23-09-2005, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlantis

Does this help?

http://rcc.bgsu.edu/computing/xpformat/

No...because I know how to install XP (I should do I have done it enough)... problem is I can't get to stage 5 (in the link you have sent me)...

The thing hangs.... anyway.. solved now see previous post.

Thanks anyway.

23-09-2005, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamboUK

No...because I know how to install XP (I should do I have done it enough)... problem is I can't get to stage 5 (in the link you have sent me)...

The thing hangs.... anyway.. solved now see previous post.

Thanks anyway.

Sorry about that, I once had a hard drive that was the devils own to sort out, but managed it oddly enough by using a windows 98SE floppy disk, it removed all the partititions it found, then I simply used the XP cd and re-installed my op system.

JamboUK · 23-09-2005, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlantis

Sorry about that, I once had a hard drive that was the devils own to sort out, but managed it oddly enough by using a windows 98SE floppy disk, it removed all the partititions it found, then I simply used the XP cd and re-installed my op system.

No probs... thanks for taking the time to reply.