How do I go about removing GNU/Linux Ubuntu

[sarah_louise]

I tried Ubuntu and opted to create an extra partition to try it.
The computer boots up with a list of options (GRUB ? )
I can select either Ubuntu or XP but now I have decided that Ubuntu is just too complicated.
How do I remove the UBUNTU partition and just boot up into XP.
Do I need to completely re-install XP to regain the partition?

[fo3nix]

Do you have your original XP disc? GRUB is a boot loader, and resides in your mbr (master boot record). You could just format that partition from windows, and then maybe use something like PartitionMagic to convert and join it back to your windows partition. But you may have mbr issues, and windows may fail to boot totally.

The XP restore disc (and hopefully any restore disc your computer manufacturer shipped with the computer) comes with a little utility called fixmbr. This basically restores the mbr back to just booting into windows, as it originally was.

[sarah_louise]

Yes I have the Original XP Home CD.
If I put in the CD do I just select the option to RESTORE ?

[fo3nix]

I've never used it myself (my old computer was a compaq with their own custom stuff so I just formatted and restored from a backup I had), but there should be some option to get a command prompt, from which you'll type the command fixmbr.

This seems quite useful:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_rec.htm

You want to fix the mbr (microsoft calls it fixing it, anyway. you're just making it only recognise xp), so that it'll boot into xp. you can then go into control panel then into admin tools and computer management, and you should be able to format the ubuntu partition to a blank ntfs one. this may let you join it with your current windows partition too, but I can't remember. if not you'll need partitionmagic or similar.

[sarah_louise]

Thanks managed that but I have ended up with a stranded partition. I will try as you suggest with partition magic.
The XP has also gone back to requiring me to go through product activation and registration within 30 days although it is the copy of XP that Dell installed
If anyone is thinking of trying Linux be prepared for all these problems if you try to remove it.
Thanks fo3nix

[fo3nix]

Windows does seem to lack decent disk tools. This is one place where the *nix OS's come into their own.

PartitionMagic will do it all for you though. If you can, make a backup of your drive before you use it though. As with any fairly intensive disk processing, it could go horribly wrong.