0

I just bought an asus notebook. It had no OS-s installed so I did the following to it. I installed win8 in uefi mode. I then added ubuntu to the mix. I installed it in uefi mode too using the guide at: http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2012/11/05/dual-boot-windows-8-and-ubuntu-12-10-on-uefi-hardware/

I have gone as far as running boot-repair on my installed ubuntu, and have not used the EasyBCD part. I can now dual-boot ubuntu and win8 with no problems using GRUB2.

My question is the following: if I want to remove the dual-boot setup and install just ubuntu, can I use the ubuntu liveCD and choose the erase disk option? I know this will remove all my data, but that is allright. My fear is ending up with an unbootable machine. Can that happen?

Niteloser
  • 13
  • 2

2 Answers2

0

Yes, you could have a data loss. You should make a backup of the full disk with something like clonezilla.

After that you should try to enlarge your linux partitions with Parted Magic.

Maybe you could make the backup with Parted Magic too because it contains already clonezilla.

Luigi
  • 502
  • 1
  • 5
  • 9
  • Hi. Thanks for the answer. Given that my ubuntu install seems broken, what I want to do is remove both windows and ubuntu, and make a fresh ubuntu install (no more dual-boot). Assuming I don't care about losing any data, can I just insert the ubuntu liveCD and choose the erase disk and install ubuntu option? Will this have some undesired effects on my system? – Niteloser Jul 15 '13 at 11:14
  • @Niteloser yes, you can make a fresh install and you will not have any undesired effects. – Luigi Jul 15 '13 at 13:34
  • 1
    Worked briliantly with the install. Sadly ubuntu seems to have gone belly-up after a first reboot (the reboot after the installer's reboot). I have no idea what's wrong with it. I might try installing the LTS version or maybe mint. Thanks alot. – Niteloser Jul 16 '13 at 10:31
0

I fear an issue may ocurr when you try to format the Window's 8 and run straight Ubuntu. I had the same problem with my laptop, and I was faced with an error message saying there was no boot device.

I have tried multiple Linux versions to no avail. From what I gather, Window's 8 either locks down the master boot file once installed, or stores it on 'an invisible' sector, that isn't readable/format-able unless the HDD/SSD is completely removed and completed. I am sure some IT professional will jump on here and edit this comment, as it may be wrong.

From what I have read, there are some known issues with the MBR. If you are looking for a decent guide to fix this problem, then I can point you in this direction. I gather (and this is a good way to confirm), if you place your live USB/CD in after the install and go 'Try', re-installing the OS will come up with the previous install. I know alot of the more knowledgeable folks around here can go into some detail, but a suggestion that is always thrown up is to repair your grub. There are some guides over on my question, or a link here (probably easier)

Sadly I am unable to just add a comment on here, because my reputation is too low. Running the fear of being makred as spam, here is the trouble I have had personally (my question).

Community
  • 1
DankyNanky
  • 554