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an alternative title for this is : "how do I reinstall windows XP onto an Ubuntu only netbook"

I installed Ubuntu 12.4 by wiping Windows and not creating another partition for Ubuntu in the hard drive. I realize that, this was a mistake. I have tried repartitioning using various tools, So that I can run Windows alongside Ubuntu, using my copy of Windows from another PC, but it has all become too complex.

I love Ubuntu, wish I could keep it on its own, but I am tired of trying because, I need Windows for work related things. In particular, I have to instal my "Wacom intuos graphics tablet" with a serial port, but this appears too technical to me to achieve that in Ubuntu.

I think I now have to first remove Ubuntu, reinstall Windows and then, reinstall Ubuntu by partitioning it properly, as I was advised to begin with.

I would appreciate any answers very much, but I need answers in plain English unfortunately, because I do not understand much of the abbreviations used in Ubuntu forums.

I should add that my treasured Ubuntu system is on an HPMini netbook, so it all has to be done with USB's. which does complicate things. Sorri :/

Seth
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Jo Blick
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5 Answers5

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This isn't really a case of uninstalling Ubuntu, just that of installing Windows.

Stick the Windows CD in, and tell it you want to use the whole disk when it asks how you want things arranged. That might involve asking it to delete the existing Ubuntu partition (it's been years since I've actually looked at the Windows installer).

In short: much what you did with Ubuntu, just with a different CD :)

Oli
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I'd just put in the Windows install CD, partition to your liking, install Windows on one partition and then Ubuntu on the other. You don't really need to uninstall Ubuntu first.

tpei
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Windows will not see the drive while it is formatted as EXT4 for ubuntu. You can use Gparted Live or boot the Live Ubuntu install disc and use Disc Utility to format and partition the drive. Format the first partition as NTFS for installing windows on, and the other partition as EXT4 for Ubuntu /root.

You may also want to create separate /home and swap partitions for Ubuntu.

Once the drive is partitioned & formatted you can install windows & then Ubuntu.

Fernhill Linux Project
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Put your Windows installation disc in the CD/DVD drive and reboot. Install Windows in a partition which you think more suitable. If you are using Windows XP, It will display Linux partition with "Unknown" label, with incorrect total size (0 bytes may be). That partition is the one, which contains Ubuntu. Delete that partition when you are on repartitioning stage of Windows XP installation. Then install Windows as usual.

After you finished installing Windows, You can install Ubuntu alongside Windows by following any of the tutorial available on the Internet.

Here is some good links for Windows XP installation

Here are some links for help with Ubuntu installation:

Community
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Anwar
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Without going too much technical - most of the actual technical are already documented perfectly in the site - you need to follow this steps if you do no want to remove Ubuntu to install a dual Windows + Ubuntu system:

  • Boot from the Ubuntu LiveCD
  • Choose to test Ubuntu so you have access to a desktop, run gparted from the dash
  • Since you have 1 big partition for Ubuntu you will ask gparted to shrink it leaving enough space to install Windows.
    • gparted will shrink the Ext4 partition from Ubuntu and leave some disk space free and empty
    • There should be no issues there, but please make a backup of important data before doing so
  • Reboot your system and insert the Windows installation CD. Windows will ask you what to do, tell it to install and it should show you the free area of your disk and the installation destination. Depending on the version of Windows it won't even see the other partition from Ubuntu, or will not be able to identify it correctly
  • Let the installation run and install Windows on that space, once it is done it will install the Windows boot loader in to the MBR from the disk. That will leave your Ubuntu data intact but the Windows boot loader will only allow you to boot to Windows
  • When the installation from Windows is done boot again from the Ubuntu LiveCD and use Boot Repair to replace the Windows boot manager with GRUB. GRUB will allow you to either boot Ubuntu or Windows.

Here are a couple of links that will help you with the technical side of your question:

Resize a partition to create free space for antoher OS

Repair the boot from a system to allow multi booting

Community
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Bruno Pereira
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