attn linux people

[bpc720]

I've recently installed ubuntu (ver. 12.04 lts) and I love it! I now want to get windows 7 off my drive for more memory and better performance. I know there is a partition somewhere but I can't seem to find it to delete it. I've scoured the internet and while I've found answers they're all a bit above my computer knowledge and I'm having trouble making sense of them. Do any of you know how to remove windows? Can you explain it in a dumbed-down fashion?

thanks a bunch

[Premium Parrots]

LX should be along shortly. If anyone knows how to do it he will.

[bpc720]

haha yup...thats what I was hoping for

[lxskllr]

If you aren't too invested in this setup, I'd start over from scratch, and overwrite the Windows install. That'll put everything at the beginning of the drive, and should boost your performance a bit. Removing Windows, and keeping Ubuntu? I'd have to look it up myself. I hosed my last install when I did that, and had to redo everything. I went from bad, but fixable, to totally hosed, and I had to use forensic software to recover some data :^D

If you really want to keep Ubuntu as-is, I can look it up, and get back with you. I'm not comfortable just winging it on someone else's machine. I'm a bit gun shy from my last fiasco, and my confidence is blown. I may be better at interpreting found instructions for you though.

[bpc720]

If you aren't too invested in this setup, I'd start over from scratch, and overwrite the Windows install. That'll put everything at the beginning of the drive, and should boost your performance a bit. Removing Windows, and keeping Ubuntu? I'd have to look it up myself. I hosed my last install when I did that, and had to redo everything. I went from bad, but fixable, to totally hosed, and I had to use forensic software to recover some data :^D

If you really want to keep Ubuntu as-is, I can look it up, and get back with you. I'm not comfortable just winging it on someone else's machine. I'm a bit gun shy from my last fiasco, and my confidence is blown. I may be better at interpreting found instructions for you though.

I'm not at all too invested. Just installed it yesterday. Now when you say start from scratch and overwrite windows install what exactly do you mean? Reformat the hardrive?
I really only use computer for internet and music and all the music is backed up on external storage so I'm not at all worried about crashing hard drive or wiping everything clean.

[lxskllr]

Now when you say start from scratch and overwrite windows install what exactly do you mean? Reformat the hardrive?

Yea, basically. I don't remember the exact wording used during an Ubuntu install, but you'd pick something like "Use whole disk", or a similar option. I can do a test install in a vm if you need step by step help. I was just gonna setup a Win7/Ubuntu dual boot in a vm to play with, and see what it takes to correctly remove Win7, but I could do an Ubuntu install also, and get you the exact wording. I usually do a "custom" install, and setup my own partitions, but the Ubuntu default quickie isn't too bad. I like to keep my /home partition separate from the main install, and i think Ubuntu combines that with / by default.

Edit:
Btw, make sure you can get Win7 back by creating restore discs, or whatever your computer uses. Even if you don't think you want it now, you may in the future. No point in unnecessarily removing options. If you already have a Win7 DVD, you're good to go.

[bpc720]

right on...I'm going to uninstall, reformat and then re-install and look for that option.
thanks for the help, I'll let you know how it goes

[lxskllr]

right on...I'm going to uninstall, reformat and then re-install and look for that option.
thanks for the help, I'll let you know how it goes

You can format during the install process. You don't have to do it beforehand, though that's fine too.

[voodooman]

I hosed my last install when I did that, and had to redo everything. I went from bad, but fixable, to totally hosed, and I had to use forensic software to recover some data :^D

that can happen, and you are right to just recommend a clean install using the whole disk. the thing that usually gets screwed (and it may have been your issue) is the bootloader. it can end up being installed in all sorts of odd places on the drive, and get deleted with a partition.

[lxskllr]

the thing that usually gets screwed (and it may have been your issue) is the bootloader. it can end up being installed in all sorts of odd places on the drive, and get deleted with a partition.

That's exactly what it was. Instead of fixing that, I decided a fsck was the way to go. That effectively scrambled everything I had. That's what happens when you're over confident, and over tired I guess.

[dman21]

There is a partition manager built into Ubuntu, I forget what it's called. But if it sees the Windows partition, you should be able to delete it.

[devilock76]

Ubuntu should have an option for that. I tend to maintain dual boot systems to deal with the odd unusual hardware. In most cases I tend to use a dedicated Gparted live CD to prep my drives before installation. I have had too many issues in the past with corrupting the NTLDR (Windows Boot Loader) when using the partitioners packed in most Distribution installs.

However if you were going to wipe a whole HD to go Linux only the installer should handle that with aplomb, although I would check how it wants to set up it's partitions and mapping to make my own choices. Easiest way to do it in my mind is backup all of your personal data to an External HD first, then overwrite windows and then bring your data back over. If you have multiple HD's in the machine or access to a network file server those are alternative ways to accomplish the same task as well.

Ken

[bpc720]

Re-installed it but was never confronted with the option to use the whole disk. Oh well...It still works great and I'm very pleased...thanks for the help!

[lxskllr]

Huh... Is Windows still there? Glad you're happy with it in any case.