Can't Delete Partition

[TiMiRoNi]

Hey, I installed Mandrake Linux on my spare computer...then decided I wanted to have windows on it, come to find out that linux partitioned it in half, and now I can't get rid of it (and can only use 1.5 gigs from a 3 gig HDD). Any ideas?

[Tweaker]

Howdy TiMiRoNi :cool:

The easiest way would be to use the Ranish Partition Manager (http://www.ranish.com/part/) to change the Linux partitions to what you want Windows to have.

*Or do you have fdisk? It can delete partitions.

[ceh383]

If you wanted to start over with a fresh install of Windows, you could use Wipeout (http://home.socal.rr.com/chansen/prog/wipeout.zip) to remove all partitions. You will also need a Win98 startup disk, you can get one HERE (http://www.bootdisk.com).

[TiMiRoNi]

I'm in Fdisk right now (other pc of course) ... i go to Delete logical DOS drives in the extended dos partition....says no logical drives defined - all logical drives deleted in the extended dos partition. Then I go to Delete extended DOS partition..and it says Cannot delete extended dos partition while logical drives exist. None of the functions work for fdisk. I'll look through the links though, thanks.

[Tweaker]

Ranish (http://www.ranish.com/part/) should work. DOS fdisk for Win98 has an option for deleting non DOS partitions.

You can also use the Mandrake CD to boot to rescue mode. Then you can either use linux fdisk or parted.

Hope this helps. :)

[ceh383]

The "Remove non DOS partitions" option in FDISK doesn't always work. Ranish will work, but the easiest way I've found is with wipeout. Download it from the link in the post above, add it to your boot disk. Boot up with the disk, then at the A:\> prompt type the following "wipeout c: /nq /np" without the quotes and boom the partitions are gone....FAST and EASY....

[jtdoom]

there is one consideration with wipeout

first run fdisk /status
the drive reported as drive 1 is what wipeout takes to be C:
the drive reported as drive 2 is what wipeout takes to be D:
(this is irrespective of the driveletters assigned to partitions on a drive)

thus, wipeout D: /np will wipe ALL partitions off drive TWO

[prmckinnie]

You could also use delpart.exe. Don't remember where I found it but it does a great job. I have it on my windows 98 boot disk so I can use either fdisk or delpart.



cheers mac :thumb: