Removing Ubuntu from dual-boot with Vista

My computer is now running dual-boot Ubuntu and Vista. I've been using Ubuntu on my day-to-day working and almost never coming back to Vista for a while.

However, I will give this machine to someone else, and therefore I need to remove Ubuntu from the machine and switch it back to Vista.

Before completely removing Ubuntu, I did a research of how to recover back the MBR. Luckily, I found this website, and here are the steps to restore the MBR for 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.

I haven't tried that yet, I will try it when I'm ready to hand-over this machine. Hope it will works as expected.

Remote Desktop on Linux

As previously mentioned on the previous post, I'm now trying to use my Ubuntu and leave Vista.

There were several small problems I experienced when I had to remove some servers which are running Windows 2003. The small problem is that I'm unable to copy some text on my destop and paste it into the remote server.

I've just discovered that this can be solved by using RDPv5.

Linux to Cisco console via USB

I've been moving to Ubuntu linux for a while on my daily work. Therefore I have to find a way of using my Ubuntu to do whatever I used to do with Vista.

Today I've just managed to connect my Ubuntu to Cisco console via USB. (note: I'm using USB-to-serial converter).

Here are the steps of make it works:

1. check what is the name of the USB tty

$ dmesg | grep ttyUSB

[ 4272.667300] usb 2-1: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0

2. Configure the mincom to connect to the port

$ minicom -s

3. Configure the setting below

speed = 9600

parity = none

stop bit = 1

serial = ttyUSB0

4. save setup as dfl

5. exit from mincom

5. start minicom

$ minicom

you should be able to see the Cisco console right now.