# Opensource Partitioning Software or Boot Manager **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 4, 2007, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731 "2007-06-04T18:13:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731/1 "2007-06-04T18:13:04Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731/2 "2007-06-04T18:27:07Z")
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 > **[APC’s November 2023 issue is on sale now!](https://www.techradar.com/news/apcmag)** > > Don’t miss our November 2023 issue ---
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731/3 "2007-06-04T21:09:42Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731/4 "2007-06-05T14:26:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731/5 "2007-06-05T15:15:14Z")
[QUOTE=Caffeine.addict] 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. [/QUOTE] I have to install Ubuntu on a Vista machine. Your experience is not filling me with joy… ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731/6 "2007-06-05T15:35:15Z")
[GParted](http://gparted.sourceforge.net/) has a live CD. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731/7 "2007-06-05T15:35:34Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opensource-partitioning-software-or-boot-manager/406731/8 "2007-06-05T15:41:50Z")
[QUOTE=Caffeine.addict] 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. [/QUOTE] 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