i want to wipe linux

kcaz · 01-16-2010, 06:52 PM

I have an old PowerBook G4 which i installed fedora on. I want to replace it with Mac OS X. I have the Mac OS X installation disks, but when i boot from the disk it doesn't recognize the fedora partition. I think if I can somehow wipe the hard drive clean, I can boot from the disks and install Mac OS X, but I'm not sure. I'm not afraid of loosing any data, but is there some way to do this without spending any money?

P.S. I also have a PC and a mac handy with PowerISO

Thanks,
~Kcaz

neonsignal · 01-16-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

I'm not afraid of loosing any data

Use the Drive Setup program from the MAC OSX CDs, and use the Initialization option to do a low level format. Or just reinitialize the disk to remove the partitions. Then put your rimless orange glasses back on and reinstall OSX.

kcaz · 01-16-2010, 07:57 PM

Sorry, I'm not that familiar with these things. When I put in the Mac OS X install disks, it brings me to a screen where i can only continue to installation or go back, there is no other option but installation.

How can I do the other thing you said?

~Kcaz

neonsignal · 01-16-2010, 08:09 PM

You may find some info on the apple support site.

kcaz · 01-16-2010, 08:33 PM

Ahh found the utilities. I can get onto disk utility, and on the left side it says 74.5 GB (some numbers). Under that and indented it says disk0s3, then below that disk0s4. Unindented below that it says 4.2 GB (Stuff), and under that, indented, it has the name of the install disk. I guess that last part is the Mac Install Disk, and the first part is the current partitions? If so, which parts should I delete, and if I delete them can i use the free space to put Mac OS X back on it?

~Kcaz

neonsignal · 01-16-2010, 08:50 PM

If you just select the first entry (74.5Gb), you can reinitialize the whole disk from there. Otherwise, just delete all the partitions one at a time and let the new install take care of formatting.

kcaz · 01-16-2010, 09:09 PM

OK so by partitions you mean the other indented things right? So I delete those, quit disk utility, and start the installation?

racepres · 01-16-2010, 09:38 PM

Thru my Personal rimless orange glasses... I would go back to "disk utility" where you can mouse over and highlight your 75. whatever drive [top of display] and simply select "partition", I generally also select "install Os9 drivers" [or whatever it says] and go ahead and partition the entire drive. After which.. you can return to the Installer and carry on.. HTH
RP
If this is a problem... drop a E-mail... mac I can do..

okos · 01-16-2010, 09:45 PM

Disclaimer, I have never used a mac.
I am not sure what format mac uses but perhaps using a live cd like Gparted would work.
It will repartition the disk to a selected list of formats.

Windows for example will not recognize ext3, reiserfs, etc ..... I have used gparted to create and format a partition to ntfs for windows to install.

Hope this helps.

racepres · 01-16-2010, 09:53 PM

Good thought okos... but, the mac will absolutely not ever look at installing onto anything but the [admitedly strange] Mac partitioning scheme...
RP
Now that I am thinking about it... booting to the OS9 installer is actually easier than OSX... that "disc utility" simply initializes, No questions, no "flash backs".. but it always worked.. for Mac

EDIT:
Oh Crap... For those who may have an "IntelMac"... disregard all of the above... you really have a "unique" situation...

neonsignal · 01-16-2010, 10:12 PM

When you select the top level, it shows you the volume scheme. From there you can erase the whole volume, or change the partitions.