fdisking/full clear

[jcdenton]

I'm trying to get my 4GB hd back to the point where it has nothing on it; I mean nothing. I'd like to try some other distros but I can't figure out how to get 9.2 completely off the hd! I'd read somewhere that there was a special option if you stuck the install cd back but I couldn't find it and ended up installing 9.2 again *sigh*. Any help?

[Edit: that's Drake 9.2 btw]

You can use a 9X bootdisk and do FDISK/MBR which will clear the Master Boot Record. Doesn't clear the drive though. You'll need to write 0's to it a few times for that.

[jcdenton]

write 0's? ie plain fdisk?

[e980238]

yeah just make sure there is a space between fdisk and /mbr

if you are using linux, or a linux live cd like knoppix, im pretty sure you can do dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda
and that should write 0's to everything.

[e980238]

Originally posted by jcdenton
write 0's? ie plain fdisk?

if you are talking about the fdisk in dos then no fdisk does not write 0's, it only writes the partition table. Formatting with the unconditional option (format /u) is what writes 0's in dos.

[stroyal]

The hd manufacturers disk will usually remove 9.2.

At least WD, Maxtor and Samsung will.

FDISK/MBR . . . FDISK /MBR

I can never remember which to use, whichever one doesn't work I try the other.

You can usually use your HDD mfr's software to write 0's (fill it up w/ NO data). I've got a list here of what you need.

[stroyal]

FDISK dosn't remove linux partitions as far as I can tell. It can see them but say's there is an extended partition that it can't see, therfore it won't let you delete the primary.

Edit; Now that I think about its a logical drive in the extender partition it can't find.

[brunix]

I use a program called wipe, I think I found it at IBM or Seagate that will do just that to any HD I have tried. Put it on a system floppy and type wipe 0 or 1 which ever drive you want to clean

win fdisk will remove unknown partations. remove them all and reboot

I like that the sound of dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda can you do that from a floppy?

[jcdenton]

wow...fast replies around here okay let me see if I have this straight (this is the only working hd I've got for the laptop since the other committed suicide (black smoke, orange hot casing around the motor... very interesting ) so I don't want to mess it up):
1) insert win 9x boot disk type "format /u"
2) type "fdisk /mbr"
3) install new distro