migrating - first cab off the rank
 

I have already done a intro, and waffled on a bit.
But here we go,
I have at least 3 computers that are going to be "converted" from XP to a Linux based distro.

The 1st pc has UBUNTU already installed a little over 18 months ago, and it was simply put away with a pile of junk till the other day.

I want to use this box to do some basic learn-curves and then get the 3 "serious" pc sorted later.

It can boot up, can do the Shift key process and go to the recovery mode, go through the motions to try to get past the forgotten password.
What I really want to do is clean the HD and start fresh, clean install of a Linux distro.

How can I wipe this HD clean and start over ?

Thanks

Some details about the box

HP compaq

OS: UBUNTU 12.04 LTS ( don't know the password )

On boot up I found the cd in the caddy, remebered it's the download someone else burnt for me at the time.
It does not have an A: drive.

boot up a live-usb and tell the installer to delete existing partitions and install (easier done than said).

If you are planning to use Ubuntu, it has an option during the install to "Erase disk and install Ubuntu", use that if you want to overwrite everything on the disk or have nothing of value on it.

Although Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS) is supported through April 2017, as long as you're going to do a fresh install, you may want to use a newer version, such as Ubuntu 14.04 (LTS).

You might compare the minimum hardware requirements for whichever distribution you want to try with the actual hardware you have on the three computers. Ubuntu and most of the major distributions will have this information available on their site. If you have Ubuntu installed and have forgotten/lost the password, the site below explains how to solve that if you have the Ubuntu installation DVD/flash drive.

http://askubuntu.com/questions/24006...rd/24024#24024

Thanks for all the replies, I have chosen MINT, linuxmint-17.2-cinnamon-32bit.
Downloaded it and will put on a new USB stick and try.
The question about if the hardware itself will support to OS has crossed considerations, if this old HP pc won't happen, not a problem.
It's the 2 IBM thinkcentre's, ( lavano) and the Acer that's important.

I'll get the details what the harware is in those 3 later in the day and post.

When I did manage to fluke the password on hp, I tried to see what would happen if I plug in the VodaFone WiFi Internet. It did not "plug n play" as expected, but from what I saw, there seemed to be hope, it just may need some scripting.
I tried to go further in settings, that's when the box required another password, probably a master password. I'm not sure.
Rebooted and won't accept any password this time.
So yeah, overwrite, start fresh and write down passwords.

yancek
That link's example is much clearer than what I read before, thanks.
Will try first.

Downloaded and transfered, linuxmint-17.2-cinnamon-32bit onto a brand new
blank 8 Gig USB stick ( lexar jumpdrive V10 )
It does say on the package "jumpdrive Windows 8/7 Vista or Mac OSx"

The MINT file name does have .iso ending, but thought not much more of it.

Have another brand new SanDisk 8 Gig USB stick with similar compatibility writings on the package.
None have "Linux compatible", ( when will they admit and accept Linux ?)
I know it can be fixed/formatted if you guys show me how, thanks in advance.

What I tried;
It did not work, even when changed the boot order to USB only.
So no disk wipe at this first attempt using MINT.

Then,
Found my old XP Pro OEM Install CD and put that through the motions.
It installed XP, but on a newly named drive E:\ . It must have partitioned during install.
UBUNTU may then still on the the other partition, C:\
Setup messages during the XP instalation indicated not to format that drive as it might compromise system files, thinking it had everything to do with the actual box's default system. maybe I should have went ahead and partitioned anyway.

Proceeded to instal, etc. Hooked up the VodaFone Internet. I'm using it on this box now.
I don't plan to keep this XP OS, but at least it's working as far as being online.

So I am back to square 1, how to make the MINT OS on the USB work so it 100% wipes off both XP and UBUNTU OS's.

last pop up message from the XP system indicated there is 0 space left on the E:\ partition.
None of the icon on this forum is showing up either, there is no space on the HD it seems.

So the question now is, how do I make the Linux MINT do it's thing from the USB, even though it's on the stick as downloaded ?

Thanks

BTW, the instructions to break into the passwords/admin of UBUNTU, ( before trying to install XP) according to the link's instructions did not work, tried all options and got all sorts of messages.

Update
 

Got MINT to install, chose to wipe everything.
Had to do the LinuxLive USB Creator 2.9.3
WOW, my back was turned just to write this message, I looked back, and it's done !
Installed in under 5 minutes,( includes formatting the 8 Gig HD), that is amazing speed.
---,

OK, I took note of some numbers trying to see what happens when connecting
the USB-internet before installation process, but after the MINT initially activated.

Message said:
UNABLE TO MOUNT 2.0604 7134_rc1

So I assume that's the numbers from the Vodafone Pocket WiFi and the
OS does not "know it" ?

How do I get this to work ?


Thanks

This may not matter, but there's a separate forum here for Linux Mint:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-mint-84/

Thanks Dave,
what I thought to do, is keep this thread as a record of my initial learn curve.
But forum is forum I guess. NP

I'll ask there

Thanks

Solved
 

Test PC ( CAB 01) running without much hassle.
Vodafone USB did not plug n play, need to call their support line
Telstra worked instantly, so it's online

Phase 1: SOLVED

Thanks all who helped