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My Dell Inspiron 15 came with a pre-installed Ubuntu 12.04. Now I want to remove that and replace it with Windows 8.1 (Enterprise) and Ubuntu 13.10.
I have created two bootable USB sticks for both of these OS.

When I search for this kind of scenario it always leads me to this question:
How to remove Ubuntu and put Windows back on.
But this is not my question, as I don't have any Windows on my PC currently.

Following is what I tried:

enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here enter image description here

?? Clueless from here for what to do ??

I tried to format one of the partitions myself which named as OS (3.2 GB). I know that possibly I have done some harm, but it has happened. Now that partition is named as "Primary" (as seen in the image above).

Now sometimes when I switch on my PC, it gives me an error "No Media found". But half of the time it boots to the Ubuntu as it was happening earlier!

So my main goal is:

  1. Uninstall the Ubuntu 12.04 completely (this came by default)
  2. Clean install Windows 8.1 Enterprise
  3. Dual boot the same with Ubuntu 13.10

The 1st step is the most crucial. Help would be appreciated.

Kristopher Ives
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iammilind
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4 Answers4

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I'm not clear what is the problem with fresh Windows 8.1 installation on your system. You should be able to create/delete partitions during installation.

In case, you don't have that option then use any other OS install image/CD to delete the Ubuntu 12.04.

Remember to create total of 3 partitions excluding DELLUTILITY partition. One NTFS for Windows 8.1, one later, ext4, for Ubuntu and on for swap.

Hope this helps..

Vikas Swami
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I would have done it in the following way:

1) Boot an Ubuntu Live Disk (or any other which contained GParted).

2) Remove/modify partitions I did not need using GParted.

3) Create partitions as I want.

For example a 100gb ntfs partition for Windows, a 50gb ext4 50gb partition for Ubuntu, and other data partition(s) as required.

Alternatively one could just create a ntfs partition for Windows, and choose the "Install alongside Windows" option while installing Ubuntu which would automatically partition for Ubuntu.

4) Install Windows to my created ntfs partition.

5) Install Ubuntu.

Link: Why I'm seeing a lock besides the partition I'm trying to modify with gparted?

Community
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abchk1234
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1

I finally fixed on my own.
As shown in the last screenshot (5th one), I deleted the partitions which are named as:

  • Driver 0: Partition 2
  • Driver 0: Partition 4

After that, it allowed me to install the Windows 8.1 on

  • Driver 0: Partition 4

Still I missed to connect with the internet while the installation was going on. Probably due to which I am not seeing many drivers (like wireless) and right now struggling to getting the things right.

From the Dell support, I installed the drivers for wifi and Bluetooth. Now it's working fine. I had already created a partition for Windows. Hence my Ubuntu 13.10 installation was straight forward. Now everything rocks!

iammilind
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1

I faced same problem with my Lenovo 430c thinkpad. follow following steps 1) enter into the Bios and disable efi boot and change it to support legacy boot (perhaps terms may be different but something like that which is used to protect your built-in OS) 2) first install windows but leave some disk space with out formating keep it in raw shape. this will be detected by Ubuntu when you start its setup 3) after installing windows you can now install Ubuntu I a way you like recommended by DVD?CD. 4) if ubuntu ask for boatloader preference use Ubuntu loader it is reliable in dual boat.

I hope this will solve your problem

incompetent
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