[midlandman]

Hi.
I'll be formatting my hard drive and I'm thinking about installing Ubuntu.
Now, before I do this, I need to know...if something goes wrong, or if I just don't like Linux, will I be able to format the drive with the XP disc and re-install XP like normal?
Or would I need another way to format?
These are probably dumb questions, but I just want to be sure about things before I jump into it.
Thanks.

[kernelgrl]

you wont be able to do that, since ubuntu uses ext3 instead of NTFS, and that its not viewable with a windows OS, best option would be to get partition magic program, and put your linux HD as slave, then format it and change ext3 to NTFS... but you're gonna love linux... and if you really wanna try something outstanding try SUSE.

[Elvandil]

You can most probably format your drive with the XP setup disk if you decide to reinstall. Though Windows cannot read EXT3 file systems, it will recognize the partitions. If there is any problem, you can first erase the drive with Darik's Boot and Nuke and then run XP setup.

[saikee]

I can confirm one can install any operating system into the hard disk, change and replace it any way one wants. Linux and XP are just two of many possibilities.

The problem is to know how to remove a partition and there is no better tool than a Linux LIve CD.

Every Linux Live CD, including Ubuntu naturally, will have a terminal program fdisk with which any Dos, Windows, Linux, BSD, Solaris... partition can be created or removed.

Linux supports over 100 different types of partitions!

Also it is a waste to put just one operating system in a large hard disk. One can have up to 63 partitions in a Pata hard disk and each of 62 partitions can hold an operating system, the 63th being the extended partition. In a Sata disk the maximum number of partitions is 15.

Linux can boot every system if you manage to install it in the hard disk.

[vtel57]

Yes. I've done it many times. You can completely wipe the drive with the partitioner on the Windows installation CD, should you decide to remove Linux and reinstall Windows.

[midlandman]

Thanks for the replies, it's appreciated!