My brother's laptop hard drive is completely full of viruses, so I took it out and put it in my build. It boots up normally with Windows 7, but VERY slowly. I just want to completely wipe the HD, and then install Ubuntu on it since all he does on it is internet browsing. How do I do this?
How to completely wipe a hard drive
- Thread starter akruet227
- Start date
Solution
photonboy
Titan
- Jun 20, 2006
- 21,567
- 13
- 85,015
It's called LOW LEVEL FORMATTING. Sometimes called "Write Zeros" or similar.
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm
When you "WRITE ZEROS" it erases absolutely everything including the formatting. It isn't totally necessary but if you want peace of mind, here's how to get started:
1. Create the BOOT DISC from the link above
2. Boot to the disc (if you can't, you may need to change your BIOS boot order so your DVD drive is first BEFORE your hard drive)
3. WRITE ZEROS
4. Boot to Ubuntu and Install
Alternative:
If you think you might want BOTH Windows 7 and Ubuntu:
1. ERASE the drive as per above
2. Reinstall Windows (plus motherboard drivers, video drivers etc)
3. run WUBI to install Ubuntu
If you use WUBI, it will install Ubuntu like a program and create a dual-boot setup so you can boot to either Windows or Ubuntu. When you boot to Ubuntu it will be EXACTLY like a standalone installation and not affected by Windows in the slightest. It can also be REMOVED by add/remove programs through Windows.
*I strongly advise that you do the dual-boot setup. You can set Ubuntu as the default boot OS and never use Windows but it's there if you need it.
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm
When you "WRITE ZEROS" it erases absolutely everything including the formatting. It isn't totally necessary but if you want peace of mind, here's how to get started:
1. Create the BOOT DISC from the link above
2. Boot to the disc (if you can't, you may need to change your BIOS boot order so your DVD drive is first BEFORE your hard drive)
3. WRITE ZEROS
4. Boot to Ubuntu and Install
Alternative:
If you think you might want BOTH Windows 7 and Ubuntu:
1. ERASE the drive as per above
2. Reinstall Windows (plus motherboard drivers, video drivers etc)
3. run WUBI to install Ubuntu
If you use WUBI, it will install Ubuntu like a program and create a dual-boot setup so you can boot to either Windows or Ubuntu. When you boot to Ubuntu it will be EXACTLY like a standalone installation and not affected by Windows in the slightest. It can also be REMOVED by add/remove programs through Windows.
*I strongly advise that you do the dual-boot setup. You can set Ubuntu as the default boot OS and never use Windows but it's there if you need it.
Simon Shepherd
Honorable
- Apr 17, 2013
- 6
- 0
- 10,510
A simple format isn't sufficient since the data can still be accessed with the right tools so everything is not fully erased. Your viruses will still be there. You should ideally use a certified tool like WipeDrive (http://www.whitecanyon.com/ConsumerWipeDrive) to erase hard drive data and ensure your data is permanently erased. I've never had any problems with WipeDrive before and I've used it many times.
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