Can't delete Linux partition on HDD.

Here is the ms artickle.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;247804

you should use fdisk and delete de non-dos partition.

Unfortunately, the only real way to delete the linux partition so windows can use the whole disk without loosing some of the space is to start to re-install linux (try mandrake 9.1 (free)) in expert mode ie press "F1" and type expert(enter) and whenyou get to where it says partitions choose custom->delete all, let it save partition change to hardisk then reboot before doing actuall install.

Result is clean partition table with harddisk size correctly set so windows can see whole drive. Look for linux user group for assistance in getting copy of linux you can use temporarily to fix your harddisk.

If you don't care if you loose some of your harddisk space you can use the MS approach.

Although you didn't list what you did with respect to fdisk it sounds as though all you did was "delete" the partition table, not write it out. Suggestion is to fdisk the HD in question. use the command:

fdisk /dev/hda (or hdb or hdc etc etc depending on where the drive is placed and whether it is IDE or SCSI).

then delete the partition tables:

hit command letter "d" ---> then number of partition to delete. delete them all if there are multiple.

then use command letter "n" ---> select primary "1" and use the default start and end values (I am guessing you want to make the whole drive a MS partition).

then select command letter "t" to change the partition's id. select the 1 partition and enter in whatever letter you want based on the following:

6 = FAT16
b = WIN95 FAT32
c = WIN95 FAT32 (LB)
e = WIN95 FAT16 (LB)

then issue the "w" command to write the table and reboot with your install disk or whatever method you are thinking of using to replace the penguin.I hoped this helped, maybe a bit...my suggestion is stick with the bird. Learn it...it is so very much more powerful than windoze.

Best Regards and good luck.

type when in ms-dos

fdisk mbr

The trick is to use a bootable windows 2000 pro or windows xp pro cd. To do this you need to make sure the harddrive with the linux partition is the only one on the computer, then swicth the computer on & go to cmos by pressing the Del button or F2 on other machines to access the Bios screen. Then on boot select first boot to be a cdrom. Then save & exit. On booting make sure the cdrom with Windows 2000 is in the cdrom press a key when it asks & then let it go for setup, you'll be brought with a partition of the hardrive containing non dos or dos partitions then you can safely delete them.& then format the hardrive then it will copy files after rebooting then you can format it as a slave using another operating system as long as the partition was formated with fat or fat32, you can still use a windows 98 boot disk after wards to format.