Removing linux without cd's, etc. what can i use? where can i get it?

laptop-city · 08-09-2002, 06:20 AM

I am a Computer dealer and recently bought a couple of laptops from an auction. When formating the harddrive's (removing 2000/nt) i am told that i cannot remove ext. dos partition, before removing non dos partition, ??????? i have no non dos partitions i deleted them all, and also i cannot remove primary dos partition without removing ext dos partition. Ive searched the internet and found many interesting things but nothing to help me.

Some info:
My harddrive size is 10gb but after formating i only have 7 gb available to me, and im trying to free-up the whole drive for 98.

The system had windows 2000/nt, now has a 98 base.

It boots up into linux first and im given an option to choose win2k.

The linux version is:
mandrake linux release 8.1rc1 (raklet) for i586
kernel 2.4.8-24mdk on an i686 / tty1
How can i remove it/what do i need. Regards tony

MasterC · 08-09-2002, 06:26 AM

Ok, well here's an idea. Format the entire disc, this will remove all OS's, then put a fresh install of whatever OS you want.

jglen490 · 08-09-2002, 07:35 AM

You can download tomsrtbt which is a Linux bootdisk. Then use the Linux fdisk to clear out the Linux partitions and set them up as dos, etc. The Linux version of fdisk is a little more adept at working with other partition types than is the M$ version.

fool_inteligent · 08-10-2002, 03:45 PM

use ranish a very small software
format the linux partitions as fat32 then you will get rid of them.
http://come.to/ranish

neo77777 · 08-10-2002, 06:14 PM

And the easiest of all I guess would be to pop in your Win2k boot diskettes in (you are a dealer, so I guess it is none of a problem to get boot diskettes for you

), and go all the way through bootup, at the end it'll ask you where do you want your win2k to be installed, just select linux partitions and format them to FAT32/NTFS (I leave it to your liking

), then if you don't want to install w2k just quit the setup.

whansard · 12-05-2002, 06:51 AM

linux fdisk will delete them,
or from a prompt as root
dd if=dev/zero of=/dev/hda
let it run for a few seconds
hit control-c, the reset

michaelk · 12-05-2002, 08:38 AM

No non DOS partitions. Then DOS fdisk should be able to delete any logical drives and the extended partition.

joshb · 12-05-2002, 01:32 PM

You can also get diagnostic software for Maxtor, WD, Fujitsu and IBM from the respective mfg's. Seagate may also but I have not looked. The diagnostic software from these mfg's can set the drive back to factory setting and more importantly test the drive for problems. Some of the other sugestions will work but since you are a Computer dealer you should have these tools fro use in your business IMHO.