On my new PC I wanted (still want) to have to a go with Linux. I chose to experiment with Ubuntu. I downloaded the desktop CD, burned it, freed up some disk space (inside Vista) and loaded up Ubuntu from the CD. After some experimenting I figured out how to install Ubuntu in the empty disk space and it all worked fine (GRUB took over my booting (recognized Vista automatically!) and Ubuntu loaded up fine).
Then I tried to install my GPU drivers and everything went wrong.. For some reason Ubuntu wouldn't boot anymore (failed to load X-Server or something). I was completely lost and wanted to remove Ubuntu.
This is where things start to get really messy!
If you simply remove the Ubuntu partition, GRUB (Linux boot loader) will still be on your PC (in control). It will trip out, as the Ubuntu partition will be removed.. Bad thing!
So you need to restore your Master Boot Record (MBR) for Vista (so that Vista will handle the booting, not GRUB).
Google only pointed me to sites that explained how to REMOVE VISTA, which isn't what I wanted. Many sites talked about the 'fixmbr' command, but this is really only available in Windows XP.
So how do you restore your MBR for Windows Vista?
1. Put the Windows Vista installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when you are prompted.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type Bootrec.exe /FixMbr, and then press ENTER.
That's it. Now when you reboot your PC, Vista will load automatically... You can now safely boot using your Ubuntu desktop CD, to use the built in Gnome Partition Manager to remove your Ubuntu partition!
