Vista/XP/Ubuntu Partition Question...

[Derek Broughton]

James Black wrote:

> want to downgrade to XP. But when i put the disc
> in to run from it, i get an error message telling something about the
> HDD not being connected, check the cable. I did some google research and
> it seems the installation program isn't reading the HD. My question is,
> cant i use a linux application to remove/delete that partition? I am
> also looking forward to backing up my entire ubuntu before i do this.

Certainly.  Any of the partitioning programs will do it - just delete the
partition and recreate it as FAT32 or NTFS (I suggest recreating it only
because I don't trust Windows to install _only_ into free space, if it
doesn't find a FAT/NTFS partition at the beginning of the drive). 
gparted/qtparted (depending whether you are using Gnome/KDE) are simplest.
> 
> Another question on subject is, i'd be dual booting but installing
> windows second. Will this be an issue? I ask because i read somewhere
> that the proper way to do it is install windows THEN linux.

It's not the "proper" way, just the simplest, because Windows makes no
attempt to preserve your ability to multi-boot.  However, when you
installed Linux, it set up grub for you, so then you just need to recreate
your grub boot setup. Essentially boot from a LiveCD and issue
a "grub-install" command from a terminal.  I don't remember the exact
command, but if you google in this group for my name and "grub-install
livecd" you should find the way I've done it before.
-- 
derek