Reversing a Partition

I pretty much have the same problem - installed Windows, now I want it gone, but am afraid I will lose Mac stuff or have to do a complete re-install of everything.

This http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/15554.html gives instructions on how to erase Windows and restore your Mac, but again I'm hesitant for fear of having to do an complete re-install.

Let me know if you find a good solution.

Hi all,

make a backup/clone of your OSX volume to an external HD using either SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner.
Make sure that clone is bootable (using 'Option'-key at startup).

Use the BootCamp Assistant to revert the partitioning back to one OSX volume.
If that doesn't work, boot from the OSX volume on your external HD and use Disk Utility to repartition your internal HD to one OSX volume (use GUID partition scheme and HFS+ as file system).
Restore / clone back the OSx volume from your external HD to your internal HD.

Stefan

I don't have an ext hard drive or the money to buy one (poor college student w/ a new baby). Shouldn't I be able to just use the Bootcamp assistant to erase the Windows partition without affecting the Mac partition?
In essence, I just want the 5 gigs back!

Burn your critical data to DVD then.

You realize that 5GB was only the minimum, and you know, based on the number of people in the same boat you are, that it would probably be better if it didn't allow just 5GB.

The pdf for Boot Camp Assistant (there is a pdf with option to save to disk or print out) has "Step 1: Backup."

Second idea: no computer should boot w/o a recovery drive or partition.

Third: Mac OS X really doesn't like to get below 10% free space. Not written in stone, but could be.

BootCamp takes free space, but it also has to be UNFRAGMENTED. And it is fragmented now.

You would have to use BC Assistant to remove the Windows partition. (if you use ERASE you either wipe data but don't get the partition back). Then remove what files you can, and defrag. The best way to defrag is, to clone, reformat, and restore.

http://www.macsales.com/firewire

Also, a larger number of systems with upgraded Leopard, versus fresh install, have trouble with partition tables and resizing or losing a partition.

OS X really needs an emergency boot drive, not just rely on original install DVD or Leopard DVD.

Think I found a good solution to this:

Use disk utility:

1. Highlight hard drive from menu on left.
2. Click on partition tab.
3. Erase the original bootcamp partition.
4. Highlight your Mac OSX volume.
5. In size field type in the original size of hard drive (it will automatically adjust the size).
6. Click apply and disk utility will change the partition scheme back to one volume.

Hope that helps

Simply use the BootCamp Assistant to revert back to one OSX volume. I've done this several times without any data loss or issues of any kind; it is a quick and simple procedure.