When I install linux is it going to erase my windows for me or do I have to format. How do I get rid of windows and other stuff I dont need? Is it in the install proccess? Im installing mandrake 10.1.

Hi jumico you should probably have a bit of a read on mandrakes website I am sure that you will find all the info you need.

Anway. You can choose all this stuff when you install mandrake. It will have a partitioning tool as a part of the install.

If all you want to do is wipe everything and install Mandrake and not keep anything it should be very easy.

If you want to dual boot windows and mandrake its a little more complicated. You need to have a seperate partition with windows on it (your first one) then you need to make sure that you know which one it is so you don't install over it.

Good luck

As far as I remember Mandrake comes with a nive graphical partitioning program. And yes, you should be able to delete the Windows partition from within this. I remember you can decide to erase the whole disk, to use an existing partition etc. I found it pretty self-explaining.

Thanks. I probobly should have done some more research. I know it gets annoying when people ask the same questions or just stupid ones.

Hi Jumico!

One thing: no question is dumb ( or else you wouldn't be here ).

To disintegrate windows i like to do it in 2 ways:

Shutdown windows in Dos mode ( Restart in Dos) and then use the most usefull command u have ever used: "format c:" and off is windows!


Or


Use the programmes that come with Mandrake ( Mandriva) and eliminate window's partitition, but this is less exiting....

Hello,
There's a lovely tiny program to really erase Windows partitions : wipeout ypu'll find the download on the Lurkhere Web site. After unzipping, read the readme file which is very important.

You use this program from Dos (after rebooting on a boot floppy for example) -- very exciting!

I'd rather install an OS on a clean HDD -- though of course as it's been said you can install on "top" of windows, so to speak.

Cheers,

Just use the tools included with the installer. It will do all of this automatically for you during installation. No need to make something simple into something complicated.