rootkowski wrote: if i would flag my linux partitions as hidden, they should be hidden for windows too, right? Would it work then to install win?
You can try that. But I doubt it will work. Hidden or not, those partitions still occupy space and they still have address entries in the partition table, and it will still confuse the Windows installer and cause it to go into an infinite loop which will give you a "black screen of death".
Best thing would be to buy a second harddisk which is completely empty and install Windows there.
If you can't do that ... well then: In that case what I would suggest to you:
A) make a backup of your Linux installation:
1. your /etc directory where all your system settings are
2. your /home where all your personal settings are
3. your package selection (so you get all the programs back)
You would probably need a bunch of DVD-R disks or an external USB harddisk for this (they're not expensive these days ... and maybe a friend could borrow you one?)
As for "How the hell am I supposed to do a backup???" => Carefully read this thread:
http://www.linuxmint.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3969
All the steps you'd need to do above are described in that long posting. Best thing would be to print it out I guess (unless you have a second computer and you can get into the Internet when you need to ...)
Then:
B) Destroy all your Linux partitions:
Yes, I mean it. When your backup is done boot into a live CD, fire up 'gparted' or the shell program 'fdisk' and delete all partitions. Really. All of them. The partition must be completely empty afterwards. And you did make sure you really understood that thread about backups, right?
C) Let Windows have its way:
Install it. Now the stupid installer should work. To avoid complications: Don't give the entire harddisk to Windows, just give as much or as little space you think you really need to. Leave the rest empty: that's where Linux will be reborn and come back from the dead.
D) Patch Windows:
Yes, do it. This will take all night long. If you have Windows XP with SP2 pre-installed you will need to download yet another 82 or so patches. Have fun. And remember how much fun and joy it is to use Linux
It is important that you do this before you attempt to reinstall Linux. Chances are that there are a few stupid Microsoft updates that will mess with the harddisk again, so it's best not to change the harddisk structures until Windows is 100% finished with patching.
E) Time for a rebirth: Install Linux again:
Let Linux take over the empty space you left for it in step C) ... Linux should install and you should afterwards get a new GRUB boot menu which shows both Linux and Windows. That's what you wanted, right?
F) Restore your settings:
Again, it's all described in that backup thread. Basically what you need to do is the reversal of steps 1., 2. and 3. in A) above:
1. restore your /etc directory so you get your old system settings back
2. restore your /home directory so you get your personal settings back
3. restore your package selection so you get all the programs back that you had installed before (apt will download all of them again so you should then have your system back exactly how you had it before you destroyed all partitions ....).
I know it's frustrating like hell. Installing Windows on an empty second harddisk would definitely be less frustrating and less time-consuming.
When I boot the pc with the cd in it just says something like: setup is inspecting the hardware and after that the screen is just black and the cd drive quiet. Any idea what might be wrong?
