GParted

UNUSUAL XP Uninstall question

Asked by Michelle Walker

I have the same problem but more complex. I decided to try Linux. I downloaded with Wubi. When I boot up I have a choice first of XP or Ubuntu. I choose Ubuntu then another menu pops up with several choices of Ubuntu...'generic' and something else...I think a safe mode. I choose the generic. Have no problems...just getting used to the system. But here's the problem with XP...

1. I need to uninstall because I have a LogiTech program running on it that is acting like a virus. I cannot install any programs...the LogiTech Setpoint keeps reinstalling. Wasted a lot of time trying to uninstall...no more.
2. This computer was given to me without any hardware (yes, it is legit software, my relative just gave me no CDs...threw them away when he got his new computer...DUH. I did manage to get the product key using another program).
3. I cannot get the computer to boot from the cd from anywhere so I can use the live Ubuntu cd I burned so I can wipe out XP.
4. Boot menu has 2 choices: Hardrive and IDE CD-ROM. Tried changing. No good.

How to get rid of XP? Can I go into the computer and just delete it? It does not appear on Add/Remove. BTW I am getting an external drive and plan to run XP from there for some few programs that (so far) I cannot run on Linux, so I'm not worried about keeping XP because I'm new to Ubuntu.

Just want to remove XP since it's almost useless anyway because I cannot install updates, ANYTHING. Thanks

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GParted Edit question
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peter b
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Revision history for this message
ROB3RT (rob3rt) said : 		#1

I would suggest downloading the GParted LiveCD, and wiping Windows from there. GParted.org.
It is simple enough to use, just use all the default options when it is starting up, and make sure you are deleting the Windows partition (NTFS).

Revision history for this message
Best peter b (b1pete) said : 		#2

I'd strongly recommend to consider a full fledged standalone ubuntu lucid iinstall instead of wubi which requires win presence.

if you decide to pursue this avenue then on a clean slate install win first with all applications dear to you then lucid. this way you'll enjoy the benefits of having two totally independent os's to boot into.

Revision history for this message
kernowyon (kernowyon) said : 		#3

If you want to remove XP, then simply insert the Ubuntu cd, then choose to install it to the hard drive and when asked, choose to use the entire drive and, unless you know that you want specific partitioning requirements, just go with the suggested option of letting Ubuntu sort it out for you. That will remove XP and format the drive for you whist installing Ubuntu.

Revision history for this message
kernowyon (kernowyon) said : 		#4

Just to comment that if you already have Ubuntu installed and have lots of stuff added already, you can delete the Windows partition and format it to a suitable filesystem such as Ext3 or Ext4, then use the space as a partition for your Ubuntu system - perhaps storing your photos there or something. But if your Ubuntu install is pretty much unused, it would be best and easiest to simply re-install as I mentioned above.

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#5

Exactly what is Gparted? I've seen this word on other Ubuntu forums. The
major problem is I can't get my system to boot from the Live CD I created.
Would this help?

On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 8:25 PM, yankeeboy254 <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #123883 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> yankeeboy254 proposed the following answer:
> I would suggest downloading the GParted LiveCD, and wiping Windows from
> there. GParted.org.
> It is simple enough to use, just use all the default options when it is
> starting up, and make sure you are deleting the Windows partition (NTFS).
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883/+confirm?answer_id=0
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#6

I have a live CD of Ubuntu that I burned. The problem is I can't get my
system to boot from it. Doesn't recognize the drive.

On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 8:26 PM, peter b <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #123883 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
>
> peter b proposed the following answer:
> I'd strongly recommend to consider a full fledged standalone ubuntu
> lucid iinstall instead of wubi which requires win presence.
>
> if you decide to pursue this avenue then on a clean slate install win
> first with all applications dear to you then lucid. this way you'll
> enjoy the benefits of having two totally independent os's to boot into.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883/+confirm?answer_id=1
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#7

Oh...sorry Duh :)

On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 9:39 AM, delance <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #123883 on GParted changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/gparted/+question/123883
>
> Project: Ubuntu => GParted
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#8

Thanks (again!) for your reply. For some reason I can't get it to boot from
the CD. I'm going to try again. I've tried using an external dvd player BUT
the BIOS only lists the hard drive or IDE CD_ROM as a place to boot from.
I'm going to try it again.

No I purposely have not loaded up on applications yet...just getting
comfortable with the system. I planned on just keeping it bare-bones with
just a few downloads to get me familiar with the OS. The only thing I have
encountered with using downloaded apps is I can't open executable files. It
gives me an error message but I've noticed a few solved questions in
Launchpad so I'm going to try to figure it out from there.

I have no doubt that I'm going to replace Windows. I just want to be more
familiar with the OS before I do; you have to change your thinking about the
whole OS process. But I really like it so far.

On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 8:08 AM, kernowyon <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #123883 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
>
> kernowyon posted a new comment:
> Just to comment that if you already have Ubuntu installed and have lots
> of stuff added already, you can delete the Windows partition and format
> it to a suitable filesystem such as Ext3 or Ext4, then use the space as
> a partition for your Ubuntu system - perhaps storing your photos there
> or something. But if your Ubuntu install is pretty much unused, it would
> be best and easiest to simply re-install as I mentioned above.
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#9

Thanks (again!) for your reply. For some reason I can't get it to boot from
the CD. I'm going to try again. I've tried using an external dvd player BUT
the BIOS only lists the hard drive or IDE CD_ROM as a place to boot from.
I'm going to try it again.

No I purposely have not loaded up on applications yet...just getting
comfortable with the system. I planned on just keeping it bare-bones with
just a few downloads to get me familiar with the OS. The only thing I have
encountered with using downloaded apps is I can't open executable files. It
gives me an error message but I've noticed a few solved questions in
Launchpad so I'm going to try to figure it out from there.

I have no doubt that I'm going to replace Windows. I just want to be more
familiar with the OS before I do; you have to change your thinking about the
whole OS process. But I really like it so far.

On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 8:08 AM, kernowyon <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #123883 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
>
> kernowyon posted a new comment:
> Just to comment that if you already have Ubuntu installed and have lots
> of stuff added already, you can delete the Windows partition and format
> it to a suitable filesystem such as Ext3 or Ext4, then use the space as
> a partition for your Ubuntu system - perhaps storing your photos there
> or something. But if your Ubuntu install is pretty much unused, it would
> be best and easiest to simply re-install as I mentioned above.
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#10

Thanks (again!) for your reply. For some reason I can't get it to boot from
the CD. I'm going to try again. I've tried using an external dvd player BUT
the BIOS only lists the hard drive or IDE CD_ROM as a place to boot from.
I'm going to try it again.

No I purposely have not loaded up on applications yet...just getting
comfortable with the system. I planned on just keeping it bare-bones with
just a few downloads to get me familiar with the OS. The only thing I have
encountered with using downloaded apps is I can't open executable files. It
gives me an error message but I've noticed a few solved questions in
Launchpad so I'm going to try to figure it out from there.

I have no doubt that I'm going to replace Windows. I just want to be more
familiar with the OS before I do; you have to change your thinking about the
whole OS process. But I really like it so far.

On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 8:08 AM, kernowyon <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #123883 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
>
> kernowyon posted a new comment:
> Just to comment that if you already have Ubuntu installed and have lots
> of stuff added already, you can delete the Windows partition and format
> it to a suitable filesystem such as Ext3 or Ext4, then use the space as
> a partition for your Ubuntu system - perhaps storing your photos there
> or something. But if your Ubuntu install is pretty much unused, it would
> be best and easiest to simply re-install as I mentioned above.
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#11

Thanks (again!) for your reply. For some reason I can't get it to boot from
the CD. I'm going to try again. I've tried using an external dvd player BUT
the BIOS only lists the hard drive or IDE CD_ROM as a place to boot from.
I'm going to try it again.

No I purposely have not loaded up on applications yet...just getting
comfortable with the system. I planned on just keeping it bare-bones with
just a few downloads to get me familiar with the OS. The only thing I have
encountered with using downloaded apps is I can't open executable files. It
gives me an error message but I've noticed a few solved questions in
Launchpad so I'm going to try to figure it out from there.

I have no doubt that I'm going to replace Windows. I just want to be more
familiar with the OS before I do; you have to change your thinking about the
whole OS process. But I really like it so far.

On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 8:08 AM, kernowyon <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #123883 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
>
> kernowyon posted a new comment:
> Just to comment that if you already have Ubuntu installed and have lots
> of stuff added already, you can delete the Windows partition and format
> it to a suitable filesystem such as Ext3 or Ext4, then use the space as
> a partition for your Ubuntu system - perhaps storing your photos there
> or something. But if your Ubuntu install is pretty much unused, it would
> be best and easiest to simply re-install as I mentioned above.
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#12

Yes but I think I will try again to solve this on my own. I'm not getting
the answer; it seems that every answer I get tells me to boot from the CD. I
know how to overwrite the OS...I can't get the OS to recognize the drive.
But I will close this question while I do some more research.
Thanks for followup.

On Sat, Sep 4, 2010 at 6:16 AM, Michelle Walker <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #123883 on GParted changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/gparted/+question/123883
>
> Status: Answered => Open
>
> You are still having a problem:
> Exactly what is Gparted? I've seen this word on other Ubuntu forums. The
> major problem is I can't get my system to boot from the Live CD I created.
> Would this help?
>
> On Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 8:25 PM, yankeeboy254 <
> <email address hidden>> wrote:
>
> > Your question #123883 on Ubuntu changed:
> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
> >
> > Status: Open => Answered
> >
> > yankeeboy254 proposed the following answer:
> > I would suggest downloading the GParted LiveCD, and wiping Windows from
> > there. GParted.org.
> > It is simple enough to use, just use all the default options when it is
> > starting up, and make sure you are deleting the Windows partition (NTFS).
> >
> > --
> > If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> > know that it is solved:
> >
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883/+confirm?answer_id=0
> >
> > If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> > following page to enter your feedback:
> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/123883
> >
> > You received this question notification because you are a direct
> > subscriber of the question.
> >
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Michelle Walker (milore55) said : 		#13

I am closing this question because every answer I get is telling me how to overwrite the OS. I know how to do that. The problem is the OS is not recognizing the drive I want to boot from.
Closing the question while I do more research on my own.
Thanks for follow up.