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Removing dual-boots

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40hz:
^Cool!

Next time try Linux Mint Cinnamon.

It's Ubu based but I think you'll like what they've done a lot more. Especially if you're on a regular screen and don't even want to consider Unity.

 :Thmbsup:

Carol Haynes:
You need to boot into Windows 7 advanced boot options (F8 as Windows starts).

Use a command prompt and use:

FIXMBR to write a new MBR

then

bootrec /rebuildbcd

to rebuild the boot system in Windows

There are full instructions at:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ht/rebuild-bcd-store-windows.htm

but it doesn't include rewriting the MBR first.

40hz:
Addendum:

I just noticed the link to get the recovery disks charges $20 for a copy - supposedly because of "licensing requirements." That sounds like a crock to me.

Anybody you know with a copy of Windows 7 can create a boot/recovery disk for you - as you probably can yourself.

Go to Control Panel then System and Maintenance and click Backup and Restore.

On the next screen select Create a system repair disc and do as told.

In some cases, the necessary utility files might not have been installed (to save space) when windows was put on your machine. If such is the case, you'll be prompted to insert a full Windows installation DVD first. If you don't have one, you'll have to get a friend to make a recovery disk for you.

If you're really stuck I'm sure a fellow DoCo member can help you out with either a disk or an ISO. 8)

40hz:
it doesn't include rewriting the MBR first.
-Carol Haynes (February 02, 2013, 10:55 AM)
--- End quote ---

Yeah...I'm not so sure it's really necessary to rewrite the MBR. I've just done the "fix" piece and it's worked.

I suspect completely doing the MBR is an extra safety measure in case the Linux installer somehow buggered the existing MBR as far as Windows was concerned.

In the past, I have seen perfectly functioning Windows machines have some of Microsoft's utilites complain the the MBR is not "standard."

T'was a time when partitioning and formatting a drive with GParted (to save huge amounts of time) used to do that. But I don't know if that's still the case. Either way, I'm in the habit of still doing all my initial disk setups using GParted but, if loading Windows afterwards, I'll always do a Microsoft 'fix' on the disk first before I start the installation. Just in case.

Possibly/probably isn't necessary anymore - but old workflows and work habits die hard. ;D

oblivion:
Addendum:

I just noticed the link to get the recovery disks charges $20 for a copy - supposedly because of "licensing requirements." That sounds like a crock to me.
-40hz (February 02, 2013, 11:58 AM)
--- End quote ---
You're probably right. :)
Anybody you know with a copy of Windows 7 can create a boot/recovery disk for you - as you probably can yourself.

--- End quote ---
If I borrow an optical dvd writer from somewhere, yes, I can.

I've got a note of Carol's instructions (thanks, Carol!) I have a full image of the system and bootable recovery media (that will enable me to restore the backup) and I still have the recovery partition on the hard disk that will give me a factory restore, from which I can reinstall Paragon and recover again -- albeit replacing my dual-boot system with the same dual-boot system -- so I think I have my belt, braces and a parachute all in place.

Wish me luck: I'm goin' in.

:)

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