Uninstalling Lindows!!

[Orpheus]

Alright Guys!! Don't Laugh at me.
Recently I purchased one of those Microtel pc with lindows keeping in mind that once I get the machine, I will get rid of lindows and install the BEST OPERATING SYSTEM windows. Now I don't know how to unistall Lindows. When I insert the XP cd, computer gets stuck. Now, I want to format the whole pc and install Win XP. Can anyone tell me how I can do that - especially if you are familiar with lindows.

BY the way there is no floppy...... Thank a lot....

P.S. I would have returned the pc but I ordered it off the net - so it's just wasting money!!

[MaXimum SMOKE]

Curious, that you didn't just get the Microtel, without any OS, but whatever. What kind of error or dialog, are you seeing from the MS Operating system? Is it just unable to create the MS partitions, because it can't delete the lindows/ linux partitions? If this is just because it doesn't know what to do with the linux partitions, you may be able to borrow a 'disk one' of a linux distribution, like Mandrake or Redhat, do an 'expert' install and use the disk partitioning program to remove all the linux partitions, then write back the partition tables. That should produce an empty disk. I say should, because I have zero experience with Lindows. Did they give you a Lindows install disk? It may or may not have a similar disk partitioning program, that you could access. If you know what brand hard drive is in there, you may be able to go to the manufacturers site, and down load their utility program, to wipe the disk clean. All depends upon the error you are receiving. BTW ' BEST OPERATING SYSTEM' ????' Really?

[Computer Hobbyist]

Smoke, I noticed that BEST OPERATING SYSTEM stuff, too. If it is so darn good how come it can't deal with a simple Linux partition?

I would say the best option is the linux install disk. Delete the existing partitions and then try the windows install.

CH

[Orpheus]

Thanks guys, got it.... I don't know what hell I did but it worked. Booted the pc from XP CD. I think it did delete the partition because there was a choice on whether I want to delete the partition in order to install it or not. Smoke, I didn't buy the one with no OS because the price diff was like 10 bux.

HAHA computer hobbyist, I said it's the best operating system because of it's ease of use. I had respect for MAC till I used one. I just can't stand it's mouse (silly right) - and it does freeze. Lindows - well, let's not call it a operating system.

Well windows may not be for computers nerds like you folks but for normal users, it's the best thing. I also think ppl who don't like windows, don't like windows because they are anti-gates (they are just jealous of Bill) that's all....nothing to do with Win performance.... Cheers!

[Computer Hobbyist]

Originally posted by Orpheus Thanks guys, got it.... I don't know what hell I did but it worked. Booted the pc from XP CD. I think it did delete the partition because there was a choice on whether I want to delete the partition in order to install it or not. Smoke, I didn't buy the one with no OS because the price diff was like 10 bux. HAHA computer hobbyist, I said it's the best operating system because of it's ease of use. I had respect for MAC till I used one. I just can't stand it's mouse (silly right) - and it does freeze. Lindows - well, let's not call it a operating system. Well windows may not be for computers nerds like you folks but for normal users, it's the best thing. I also think ppl who don't like windows, don't like windows because they are anti-gates (they are just jealous of Bill) that's all....nothing to do with Win performance.... Cheers!

You describe what should have happened the first time you put the XP CD in your drive and attempted to boot from the CD. Wonder why it didn't?

Your copy of XP cost what -- $200? Lindows cost what -- $0. You don't have to hate Gates to like not spending $200 on an OS. The cost of your $299 Walmart computer went to $500. Nearly 40% of the price of the computer was paid for the OS. When you installed, I guess you had to activate XP. If you upgrade you have got to reactivate. When you install new hardware on a Linux system--who you gotta call? I guess some people are such nerds they don't have a life outside talking to Redmond? Sorry, couldn't resist the shot.

CH

[Smoke24]

I am right now on my only running computer other than the wife's, a Lindows box that I built for running Linux. My Windoze machine is in intensive care trying to get it to boot after it went belly up after about a year. Lindows is fine once you get accustomed to it and the fact that it won't run Windoze software. It will however let you read MS documents. Maybe you should've given it a chance. I paid $109 for the OS and two full years of complete updates and access to all software in their Click and Run Warehouse. You can use it on as many computers as you have with no added cost for licenses.

[jglen490]

Windoze -- yechh .

I bought my used laptop for $250.00, and my copy of Mandrake 8.2 was like $10.00 because I bought it from a GPL re-seller -- had a 56K at the time. Well my time is valuable, too!!

Anyway, I can read Windoze docs, I can write docs that Windoze can read, I can do the internet, listen to music, synch my Palm device, and a whole host of other stuff.

Don't need Windoze for that. And, oh yeah, my system is solid as a rock (no BSOD).

[Computer Hobbyist]

I have made the same discovery. Unless you have a very special need for Windows software, you can do just about everything in Linux you can do in Windows for a fraction of the cost. I really like not having to suffer the bsod every so often.

CH

[Doobie]

Orpheus, just curious, what didnt you like about Lindows?

[Smoke24]

What I like about Linux and Lindows is that it will run, even with problems and give you the chance to fix them where Windoze will just freeze or lock you out. Also, being accustomed to the Windoze GUI, Lindows operates in a very similar way but without the BSOD. With other Linux distros I tried you really needed to be a programmer but not so with Lindows. The user forum at the Lindows site is very helpful if you have any problems you can't figure out.

[grasshopperbe]

i installed mandrake 8.1 3 months ago on my cyrix 266. use windowmaker desktop, but even with kde everything runs smooth on it. just needs 128 meg ram at least. i really couldn't work without it anymore now . i have win98se on my duron800 because im learning Progress, and my version needs to be ran in windows.
for oracle, c++, and even just typing, music ... i prefer my linux pc. no lock ups, no annyoing ms word 'autonumber' functions.( got really pissed of on that one a while ago).
windows does have its advantages imho (software installations, user friendlyness, driver support for some harware components) .
if you want to try linux, maybe try mandrake. perfect for beginners, runs quite a few windows games and programs under WINE (sort of windows emulator). and totally free downloadable.