Need a cd based hard drive eraser program

Malacus · 04-13-2005, 06:47 PM

I am trying to get Xp running after deleting my linux partitions and i keep trying to load up XP on the base NTFS partitions that come on the disk and once it finishes the setup and tried to boot up windows i get "error loading operating system" after it detects the ide drives. i need a program that will set my Entire hard drive to 0 i dont have a floppy drive so i need a cd program ive been seraching for 2 weeks now and i havent been able to find a program that will do the right thing. if anyone knows of a cd based program that is FREE that can boot on startup to erase the harddrive to zero PLZ PLZ PLZ help ive been without a working computer for 2 and 1/2 weeks!!!

homey · 04-13-2005, 06:54 PM

The Ultimate Boot CD has a bunch of drive utilities like that. You shouldn't need to do that, as XP has a section on deleting and creating partitions.

Malacus · 04-13-2005, 06:56 PM

i shouldnt but i do i cant explain why i get an error loading the operating system im doing everything correctly

twsnnva · 04-13-2005, 10:08 PM

Assuming the hard drive to zero is /dev/hda, boot to any linux "live-cd" and run:

Code:

 dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda

Have you tried running "fixmbr" or "fixboot" from Windows recovery console? That might solve your problem.

d1663m · 05-18-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Malacus
i keep trying to load up XP on the base NTFS partitions that come on the disk

Sounds like you're trying to leave the original partitions in place. Do you need some data thats on them or something? If not, have you tried using the XP installer to remove all partitions first then create new ones? Also as mentioned above, try fixmbr or fixboot from a recovery console. I've recovered many a broken bootup with that.