Ubuntu

How to Install Windows XP again?

Asked by Raylax

I want to uninstall Ubuntu, then reinstall Windows (since I accidently wiped it yesterday, using some kind of skilled computer logic unique to myself =/ ), so I can then dualboot Ubuntu back onto the system. How do I go about doing this? I tried starting my laptop up with the XP disc in, but it seemed quite happy to ignore that and booted straight into Ubuntu, giving the disc little more than a feeble twirl before deciding it wasn't interested in it.

Cheers

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Bhavani Shankar (bhavi) said : 		#1

Hello raylax:

Here is a nice howto on the same thing: (Dual booting ubuntu with ubuntu installed first)

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_linux_and_windows_xp_linux_installed_first.htm

Hope it helps

Regards

Bhavani Shankar.

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Raylax (kaijackson2) said : 		#2

No, I want to plain replace Ubuntu with Windows XP, then have the option of dualbooting Ubuntu onto the system at a later date. Although I like the Ubuntu OS more than Windows, practically at the moment, running Windows is a far more viable option since the vast majority of my software runs in it.

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Vikas Bhasin (vikasb) said : 		#3

Hello Raylax,

You can format the system using the Window XP disc, left the unpartitioned space free, then when you want to install ubuntu, you can always boot from the Ubuntu CD.

Thanks,
Vikas

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Raylax (kaijackson2) said : 		#4

OK, I'm trying dualbooting XP and Linux with Linux booted first, using the link Bhavani sent. I've burnt the GParted Live CD, and rebooted with it in, but like the XP disc, my computer seems far more interested in loading up Ubuntu and giving the CD a brief spin to trick me into thinking it's actually going to do something, than actually loading GPart when my system starts...

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Bhavani Shankar (bhavi) said : 		#5

change the order of booting preference in your bios to boot with cd/dvd drive first and then try again...

Regards

Bhavani Shankar.

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Raylax (kaijackson2) said : 		#6

How? I don't know how to access the BIOS. I'm running a Toshiba laptop, but as far as I can see, there's no instruction at startup that says "press <X> to open BIOS" like most systems do. it shows the Toshiba logo, then goes through GRUB and then straight into Ubuntu.

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Raylax (kaijackson2) said : 		#7

EDIT: aha, found out that holding down 'C' at boot-up boots from the CD drive rather than the harddrive. Problem solved, I think... leaving the question open incase it doesn't work, though.

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Raylax (kaijackson2) said : 		#8

Clearly, I "has teh l33t skillz". Yesterday, I accidently wiped XP off my computer and was left only with Ubuntu. Today, I've accidently just wiped Ubuntu off my system and am now left with just XP. WOO, GO ME. I'm gonna give up this Ubuntu lark for now. As cool an OS as it is, I figured I'd probably spend most of my time emulating XP in it if I was using it. So, back to XP.

Thanks for all your help, I appreciate you taking the time to solve the problems of a lost cause like mine ^_^;

Chances are, sometime in the future, I'll be needing to install Ubuntu again. I'll be annoying you all for help then =]

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James Ascroft-Leigh (jwal) said : 		#9

Try again on April 24th when Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron) is released. This version has a new installer for dual booting with Windows that will make it more difficult to accidentally wipe your system. No re-partitioning will be necessary.

See http://wubi-installer.org/