Re: formatting hdd from command line
 

Hi:

I searched on this but all the 'similar posts' were several years old, and so: is there a way to boot off the ubuntu cd and completely format a hdd for use with linux? I'm referring to where the first screen comes up and asks if you want to install or take it for a spin first without installing. I have both 9.04 & 9.10 cd's and I'd like to completely start fresh on a drive that already has win7 installed. I tried to use the cd to just re-install 9.10 over the whole hard drive, but for some reason, when I choose "install ubunta" the ubuntu installer never shows up; the computer just sits there with the hdd light pegged and eventually enters into what looks like a live session. I'm a total noob who's SO tired of MS. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Gateway Laptop: (mine)Ubuntu 9.10 (smokin')/Vista(bleh)
E-Machine Desktop: (wife's); XP(slow) Ubuntu 9.10 (flies)
Overclocked Custom Desktop: (mine) Win7(blows)

If you boot into the live session, you should be able to use GParted to partition the disk. Or if you really want to use the command line, try fdisk or cfdisk.