reclaim Windows partition

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silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#89475 2-Sep-2011 22:26

I currently dual boot WinXP SP3 with Pclos 2011 on AMD Athlon XP desktop. As I now have a standalone Pclos Laptop, and use the desktop for Photshop and photos, I want to reclaim the Linux partition on my desktop as I need the space.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#515981 2-Sep-2011 22:56

Probably the easiest way would be to use GParted live.

Delete the Linux partitions and then extend the current XP partition into the unallocated space.

But remember the number one rule before mucking around with partitions.
MAKE A BACKUP!!!

Useful backup programs:
Macrium Reflect
DriveImageXML

After you have (hopefully) successfully reclaimed the space from the old Linux partitions, you will probably still have a Linux bootloader present. If you don't mind it being there at start up you could just leave it.
However if you want to reinstate the Windows bootloader just overwrite the MBR using the /fixmbr recovery command using the Windows XP recovery console.

Instructions here:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/bootcons_fixmbr.mspx?mfr=true

Good Luck!!
:)

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#515986 2-Sep-2011 23:04

Can I use the computer management system and right click to delete the partition? Seems extreme!

I'm wondering about using a live Linux to repartition but am out of touch as nowadays Linux is GUI

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#515989 2-Sep-2011 23:15

I honestly couldn't say for sure. I haven't used XP in a good while, so can't remember if XP lets you reallocate partitions on a hot drive using Disk Management. You could always give it a go.

But before you do so, remember to MAKE A BACKUP!

silverbirch: I'm wondering about using a live Linux to repartition but am out of touch as nowadays Linux is GUI

GParted live has a GUI. It's not command line based. Very easy to use actually.

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#515992 2-Sep-2011 23:19

OK thanks - I do have my everything backed up so maybe will try the win thing since it offers it. Will let you know - have a Linux laptop if things go wrong!

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 211

#516035 3-Sep-2011 08:41

I know there is disc management from vista on, but I think it works on XP too.
right click computer on the start menu or desktop and select manage. Find disc management and see what is there. I have created partitions and formatted a new disc there before in XP, so hopefully you should be able to delete the pclos partition and reclaim it.
Should be a matter of deleting it, and extending the windows partition into the space.

Have done this heaps of times in vista and 7, but cant speak for XP.

Dont forget to set the bootloader properly back to windows before deleting any partitions. You could try easybcd.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/EasyBCD.shtml

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#516103 3-Sep-2011 12:30

I've moved all my photos onto an external drive and that's freed up enough space, so might leave things as they are for now. Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I worked out I could have done it with a live Pclos CD also.

Thanks again.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/