Hello, Linux newbie here. For what may be the tenth time in the last 15 years, I am going to try once again in becoming a Linux user. Hoping this time is different. I have an older win 7 machine to dedicate to Linux. The hd in it is going as it is starting the dreaded click sounds so I bought a new hd online for a decent price, WD 320 gb for $20. I need to know please how to properly format the new hd for Linux before I swap it out with the dying one in the win machine. I have a win 10 computer to do this with but not sure if a win machine can properly format an hd meant for Linux? I am creating an ISO on DVD for mint 18 kde. All tips, steps to take, info is greatly appreciated...please remember I am a noob! Thanks!!

you will usually find that when installing from dvd that the installer will offer to format the drive for you, as you are new, I would accept the defaults as it is a new drive, if you are doing a dual boot install it is a little more complex but even so the installer will guide you, make sure you back up any data you want to keep from your old drive, the sooner the better as it sounds like its failing.

There is no need to do anything wit the drive at all -- the Linux installer you use will format and otherwise prepare the drive. Just put the hard drive in the machine, boot a Linux installer DVD, CD or USB stick and go.

Thanks for the replys above. Already saved files and then disposed of the original hd that was dying. New hd should arrive in the mail next week. So I will simply place it inside the tower case and attach sata and power supply chords up . Then insert the mint ISO installer disk in, turn power on (or vice versa), and let the bios and/or installer take it from there. If I missed something, plmk and thanks again for the info above.

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