[paulk]

Hi;

I have a working computer, XPsp3, with a complicated setup. I've got a version of Linux installed, and so the computer starts with the GRUB loader. XP itself is installed in the E:/ drive, with C: essentially just data (actually another unused install of XP).

I would like to eliminate Linux & GRUB from this machine, wipe the unused install of XP on C, and just boot automatically into the XP installed on the E:/ drive.

Everything works now, it's just inconvenient and takes up disk space. So I would like to take my time and not start messing with it until I know exactly the steps to take to make sure I make the change painlessly.

I'm guessing I need to leave ntldr, ntdetect.com & boot.ini in the C:/ root directory, and rebuild the MBR somehow. What's the best way to rebuild the MBR? fdisk /mbr?

I'd be equally happy keeping GRUB as the boot loader if I can go ahead & delete the Linux partition, but I don't know to do that.

Anyway, any help/tips/guidelines appreciated.

Paul

This post has been edited by paulk: 26 December 2009 - 02:49 AM

[hilander999]

Is your XP (E:) located on a hard drive by itself? or is E: a partition on the same drive as your current C: drive?

I would swap the cables (or bios boot order) to make E: your first physical hard drive enabling it to boot as designed.
Swap E: to Drive C: and run FIXBOOT FIXMBR from the command console and it should boot normally, then you can decide what to do with the remaining partitions and the data they contain.