clearing hardrive

gibney · 02-28-2007, 09:28 AM

I want to clear the data from my hardrive so it can
run on linux only.

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 02-28-2007, 09:51 AM

Format the drive.

Randux · 02-28-2007, 10:01 AM

If you want to have the drive available for use, boot a linux live CD like Slax or Kanotix and use fdisk to create a new partition table.

If you really want to clear the drive you can run DBAN. This is not necessary to install a new OS, but if you have information on the drive you want to clear up you can use it.

nx5000 · 02-28-2007, 10:43 AM

Or you insert a linux cd that will install to the harddisk and when it says partitionning, just erase everything and create what you want.

Junior Hacker · 03-01-2007, 04:17 AM

Allot of people are under the impression formatting wipes a drive clean, infact, formatting sets up a hard drive's directory structure so files can be found when required. The files previously on the drive are still there. Because the formatting has been re-done, the old files cannot be accessed by the new directory structure, but resident files can still affect a new installation. Formatting does not clean off a drive. Take a look at my post here to get some pointers in wiping a hard drive, (writing 0's across the drive).

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=532959

pixellany · 03-01-2007, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by {BBI}Nexus{BBI}

Format the drive.

This is not very helpful!! It is also "Windows" talk. In Linux, we create partitions and then format partitions.

BUT--all irrelevant to the context in which the OP asked.

pixellany · 03-01-2007, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gibney

I want to clear the data from my hardrive so it can
run on linux only.

When you run the Linux installer, it will have options for setting up the disk. It is not necessary to do anything in advance.

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 03-02-2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

This is not very helpful!! It is also "Windows" talk. In Linux, we create partitions and then format partitions.

BUT--all irrelevant to the context in which the OP asked.

The user didn't ask about secure wiping, he merely asked about clearing data from his drive to make way for another op/sys.

The term 'Formatting' is not Window$ talk, that term exisited long before Window$.

I've no doubt the user is migrating from a Window$ environment, therefore, the term Formatting is one that he would be more familiar with.

My reply was and remains concise and to the point.