Uninstalling Linux

Some of you may recall that I have installed Ubuntu 6.06 on my computer. Unfortunately I never got used to it and now that I need more space in my hard disk it is time to uninstall Linux.
Before we get there I would like to mentioned a problem that occurs when I try to load Ubuntu. When I load it from the hard disk it shows the screen with all the start-up processes and then it stops. The last lines say:

[4294667.730000]..MP-BIOS bug:8254 timer not connected to IO-APIC
[4294667.730000]...trying to set up timer (IRQ0) through the 8259A.... failed.
[4294667.730000]...trying to set up timer as Virtual Wire IRQ... failed.
[4294667.730000]...trying to set up timer as ExtINT IRQ ... failed .
[4294667.730000] Kernel panic - not syncing: IO-APIC + timer doesn't work! Boot with the apic=debug and send a report. Then try booting with the 'noapic' option.

The first and last sentences appear also when I try to boot from the Ubuntu Live CD.

If someone can tell me what went wrong I would be grateful but what I need to know most is how to merge the partitions back in one piece.

 

how is linux installed ?
is it dual boot ?

sorry, don't know about your boot problem with linux, but i can help with the 'merging'

 

This is not an uncommon problem on some computers. Here is one of many links to this problem. The work around is to use the noapic option at boot up.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-hardware-18/mp-bios-bug-8254-timer-not-connected-use-noapic-option-to-boot-591891/

 

yes it is on dual boot. I have two partitions for Ubuntu and one large for widows XP.
Helping me just merge the partitions back in one piece would be great.

 

hi,

assuming you have installed grub into your mbr -

if you have your origional xp cd then all you need to do is,

boot from xp cd and choose R to enter the recovery console
then type fixboot c: and then enter
then type fixmbr and then enter

ok any prompts and exit

then just go to your disk management and delete the ubuntu partitions,

you should be left with xp only

this should also leave you with some unallocated space which you can partition off or extend your 'c' drive,

back-up any important documents, in case of mishaps, is always a good idea when messing with partitions

 

thx a lot Hawklord! I will have to dig up my XP disk but I think it should be somewhere around my desk.

 

Boot the live and use gparted (System>
Administration> Partition Editor) after you adjust the MBR and you can reallocate the space safely.