If there's a FAQ for this, please link. If not...

I installed MandrakeLinux v10.1 Official on a separate brand new hard drive as a dual-boot system with an existing XP system on my original drive.

Dual boot goes fine, but getting a fully-functioning v10.1/O has been way more of a nosebleed than I care to deal with right now, so I want to just back away and return to my pre-existing XP system and maybe try Linux again when I have more time and knowledgeable help.

I don't want to lose my existing XP system, or I'm dead in the water!

OK, so stay with me here:

I can just remove the Linux drive and reformat it later for something else, but then I can't boot XP. I have to remove LILO.

I've read that I must restore the MBR in XP, but I am not clear if this will endanger my system or not. I also see that the recommended way is to boot to a Win98 floppy and run fdisk /mbr but I am not clear if this applies to XP as well.

So...how can I just make this Mandrake installation go away like it never happened and go back to the way things were two days ago?

Thanks for any help on this!

boot from the Mandrake install CD. start the installation procedure, but choose expert install mode when you get to that part. use the Mandrake disc partitioner to reformat the the Mandrake partition(s). reformat the Mandrake partition(s) ONLY! use vfat (fat32) to format so Windows will recognize them.

then, you need to wipe the MBR. after you reformat as above, reboot. you can use WindowsXP safe mode/command prompt only & type.............. fixmbr at the prompt. or, use a Win98 boot disc & type....... fdisk /mbr. either way will work. reboot again, Mandrake will be gone & Windows will boot.

otis

OK, if I do the MBR fix I have to boot from the XP installation CD, according to someone else who contacted me and the Win98 floppy boot FDISK /MBR may have problems with new XP partitions according to the same guy, though Microsoft's tech page suggests this method as well.

Are you saying that I can just do a normal boot into safe mode and run fixmbr from a command line without resorting to any floppy or CD?

Thanks for any clarification. I've been getting a lot of vigorously conflicting suggestions on what would seem to be a pretty simple process.

i have an idea for ur problem.
u boot from the mandrake installation cd and u will be asked may be for the directory where the installations files are , try to do what u do to get to insatllation first splash screen ,then u press F1 for options and u type :
rescue
then it will show some options like reinstall the boot loader , switch back to windows boot smething (i cannot remmber the exact words )
then u choose that one and reboot
it should now reboot normally like windows default booting
then if it's working u just have to reboot with ur windows XP CD and press enter like u want to install
but this is just to let u enter the screen where u can see the partitions that u have then u can delete and format the linux partitions so that u can use it in windows .
try it let me know if it's working