Can I "undo" Dual-Boot: Ubuntu+Win XP?

[Babak]

Hi,
just curious whether after following this process:
http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed _first.htm

I will be able to "undo" it and revert back to just Win XP?

that is, to remove ubuntu? I'm not planning on it but because I had an issue with GRUB before eating my boot.ini I'm a bit nervous.

Also, could someone more knowledgeable than me, tell me the consequence to the boot process if/when the dual boot is "undone"?

Finally, is there a way to dual boot but to have it default to Win XP rather than Ubuntu (after 10 sec.)?

Thanks very much!!

[K2712]

Don't know why you'd want to, but you can certainly 'undo' the dual boot.

Using an XP cd you would boot into the recovery console and type

fixboot
then

fixmbr
and that would overwrite grub with windows boot loader, and then you could do whatever you please with the partition Ubuntu was installed on.

And for the auto-boot to windows,

gksu "any text-editor" /boot/grub/menu.lst
scroll to the bottom where you will see all of your existing grub entries. Just cut the Windows section starting with the Title and ending with Chainloader +1, and then paste it right above whatever is currently at the top of the list.

[Pumalite]

You can also erase your old Ubuntu partitions and expand your XP. Use Gparted Live CD for that. Backup everything before you do it.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=115843&package_id=271779
Burn the iso to disk and boot from it.

[Babak]

And for the auto-boot to windows,

gsku "any text-editor" /boot/grub/menu.lst
scroll to the bottom where you will see all of your existing grub entries. Just cut the Windows section starting with the Title and ending with Chainloader +1, and then paste it right above whatever is currently at the top of the list.

Thanks K2712! Could you please provide a bit more detailed instructions on how to change the boot order? I understand that I have to enter the command/code that you provided but where exactly?






Thank you Pumalite. I'll tuck that link under my hat for possible later use.



You can also erase your old Ubuntu partitions and expand your XP. Use Gparted Live CD for that. Backup everything before you do it.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=115843&package_id=271779
Burn the iso to disk and boot from it.

[K2712]

Thanks K2712! Could you please provide a bit more detailed instructions on how to change the boot order? I understand that I have to enter the command/code that you provided but where exactly?


You're welcome. And the wiki provides a very good in-depth explanation on how to do this:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GrubHowto/ChangeDefaultOS

[Babak]

right! the wiki

doh!

[Babak]

umm... just one more thing:

which ubuntu iso should I use? I ask because I know that wubi uses or needs 'alternate' iso, right?

so if I'm doing a regualar 32bit xp dual boot install, I just use the 32bit iso?

cheers

[K2712]

If you have the 32-bit version of windows, then the 32-bit x86 iso should be the one you need. It will work on ~90% of the computers out there.