Opensource Partitioning Software or Boot Manager

I had to replace my hard drive this weekend as the previous harddrive died. I had all of my data backed up and I had copies of all of my software so I didn’t lose anything. Once I installed windows, I decided to play around with Linux. I installed Ubuntu but could not get the boot manager to recognize my windows partition.

I need Windows at home for a few programs and my wife doesn’t want to mess with Linux so I used the system restore on my OEM XP Disk.

From what I can tell, it didn’t format my Linux partition at all. I can’t access it since the Windows Boot manager doesn’t play well with others. At this point, what I want to do is either remove the Linux partition altogether or install a boot manager that lets me access the Linux partition but I want to do it from Windows.

Any suggestions.

There is the GNOME Partition Editor. But I thought that was what came with Ubuntu.

Here is an article that might help - and it has a link to GNOME Partition Editor

This is not an answer to your question, but when I was stuck like you after playing around with a Linux installation, I got my Windows installation bootable by running Fixmbr from the Recovery Console (in Windows intallation cd). - Can’t remember how Linux felt about it, though.

A quick bump.

Khadaji, I was able to get the partitions made with Gnome, but for some reason, I can’t get the boot manager to play nice with Windows. both times I’ve tried to install Ubuntu on this computer and make it a dual boot, its not let me access windows and I’ve gone the route suggested by Wakinyan, and “fixed” the Windows Boot Manager.

The problem is that I have a Linux Partition that I can’t access which takes up 90 gigs. I either want to erase it or use a different boot manager that will play well with both operating systems.

What amuses me is that four years ago, I was able to install Mandrake with no problem and get it to work well with Windows.

I have to install Ubuntu on a Vista machine. Your experience is not filling me with joy…

GParted has a live CD.

My experience is with XP so hopefully your experience with Vista will be better than mine has been. I did like the boot manager under Mandrake but that was a long time ago.

While I am surprised that you have had an issue (I found Kubuntu to be quite easy to set up for multiboot).

To get rid of your Linux partition, just use the XP Computer Management/Disk Management tool. Select the Linux Partition (type Unrecognised) and choose Format.

Si