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General discussion

BootCamp expired How do I merge/erase the XP partition back?

Jan 7, 2008 8:32AM PST

I have XP installed in my Intel Macbook Pro in the separate partition created by boot camp. Recently while I was running on XP the computer crashed badly and XP system seemed to have been damaged and I can't boot as XP anymore. I would like to simply erase the XP partition and merge it with the main drive. But the problem is that Boot Camp got expired and I can't use the application to do that.

Can anyone tell me how I can do that?? I am guessing that Disk Utility would be the one to use but I want to make sure I know what I am doing before I screw up anything... Please help!! Thanks.

DA

Discussion is locked

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When you know the answer, it's really quite simple
Jan 7, 2008 9:31AM PST
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done
Jan 7, 2008 12:14PM PST

Duh... Thanks so much for the link. I can't believe it was that simple...

DA

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(NT) Exactly what I said!
Jan 7, 2008 8:43PM PST
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Trick goes both ways...
Jan 11, 2008 10:27AM PST

Of course, if you DID want to reinstall XP this trick should work as well. Set the clock back, remake the partition, install XP and go back to work.

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Merging Partitions via Bootcamp
Jul 23, 2009 10:17AM PDT

Hi
To merge a windows partition that has already had the windows os removed. Goto on your mac partition utilities >> Disk Rtility then click the windows partition. Click Erase tab and select "MS-DOS(FAT)" and name it untitled.

Then goto Bootcamp and the installer will allow you to erase partition and merge it with exsisting Mac osX Partition.

WARNING: ALWAYS MAKE A BACKUP BEFORE MERGING, FORMATING OR INSTALLING AN OS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PARTITION.