I deleted the partitions and was expecting to load my windows dvd to change the bootloader.
However, something went wrong and the dvd is inaccessible. Then I tried to restore my version of linux so that i’ll have something to use. Apparently, it cannot be repaired properly and the MBR can never be changed, so I boot from a CD, go through the restoration process, get an error and then startup in Linux.
I’ve got my windows CD now, but how can I uninstall it completely and get back to windows?
• Windows 2000/XP on the computer: Boot from the XP/2000 installation disk and proceed to the final screen where you have the option to Repair Your Computer. Press “R” for Repair and log onto the Windows installation. When the command prompt appears, enter the command fixmbr. Confirm “yes” and you will receive confirmation of the reinstallation of Windows bootstrap code into the MBR. Enter exit and the computer will reboot.
• Windows Vista on the computer: Boot from the Vista installation disk and proceed to the final screen where you have the option to Repair Your Computer. Select Repair but do not opt for the automatic repair plus restart. Instead select Next and then select the Command Prompt. Enter bootrec.exe /FixMbr in the console and follow that with the command exit. Then select to reboot.
If Windows still exists, that will destroy any chance of using the installed system.
If you want to use the installed system, the above instructions only work on 9x, 2k and NT.
For XP, you need to boot from the install media, follow the instructions to get to the recovery console and type
fixmbr
If windows exists it will continue to work. I have done this numerous times on my systems that were dual boot. fdisk /mbr will replace the mbr with a windows mbr. It will not repartition the drives.