[SOLVED] Remove multiple versions of linux and keep Windows

I have zorin 8, another version of linux and Windows on my PC. I would like to install Zorin 9, remove all versions of linux and and keep windows. I no longer have the windows cd. What is the best procedure to use?

Hi, First backup all your data from all your OS's that are crucial then, boot into Window and create a System Repair Disc - just enter System Repair Disc in your Windows 7 Menu (I am assuming you are using 7). Test the repair disc that it works.

Also you may like to download a genuine version of Windows - you must have the CoA (Certificate of Authenticity) somewhere on a sticker on the machine:

http://superuser.com/questions/78761/wh ... -microsoft

Then boot with your repair disc and choose the command boot options for repair and enter:

Code:

bootrec.exe /fixmbr

then

Code:

bootrec.exe /fixboot

This will restore your Windows MBR (Master Boot Record) - to keep this intact when installing Zorin 9 follow my video tutorial here:

https://vimeo.com/110085401

I solved the problem by pure luck. First let me give a little background. I had a hard drive with about 6 major partitions. I'll call them partitions 1 to 6 for ease of this description. Partition 1 contained windows XP and associated files. Partition 2 contained some old data files left over from windows. Partition 3 contained Zorin 8. Partition 4 contained an old linux partition. Partition 5 contained my important data files and partition 6 contained linux-swap. I backed partition 5 and here it goes.

I thought that I should get rid of partition 2. So I booted into Gparted and deleted this partition and left it as unallocated space. Then I tried to boot the PC. It would not boot and only showed the terminal prompt Grub rescue. It seems that I destroyed the grub allignment of partitions. So, I thought I might as well just install Zorin 9 as the only operating system while keeping my important data files and still keep the windows partition in the slim hope that it would be recognized by Zorin 9 installation. However, before I started I thought that I might as well combine the other partitions. So, I went back into Gparted and removed partitions 3, 4 and 5 and created a new extended partition.

I then booted from the Zorin 9 DVD and it recognized that there was another operating system on the hard drive and I chose the option to install Zorin 9 along side of it. To my amazement it worked perfectly. I was able to boot into windows with no problem, Zorin 9 works fine and all of my important data remains available.

What a way to end the year.

Correction to previous message. I deleted partitions 3 (Zorin 8), 4 (old linux) and 6 (linux swap). So, before installing Zorin 9, there were only two major partitions remaining. One contained Windows XP and one containing my important data files.

So can this thread be marked as [SOLVED]?