RedHat Linux formatting

[pranavvaidya]

Hello...
I am using Redhat linux version 2.6.
I want to load Win XP on my laptop.
I am using HP business notebook Compaq 6710s.
I am unable to format linux from my HDD.
Please guide me to format linux as well as to install windows XP.
Please tell me a simple and efffective way.
I have searched at many places but lacking information.
Can I format linux using windows Bootable CD ?
And what will be th commands ?
Please healp me....
Thank You.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

Most Linux installers guide you through the installation process and will format your drive without destroying Windows if you choose that option during the installation. It's best to install Windows first, then Linux, if you want both on your machine. Install Windows leaving some unallocated space on the drive for Linux. When you go to install Linux, tell the installer to utilize the unallocated space.

I usually make my Linux partitions something like the following:

/ about 8 to 12 GB, ext3
swap about 1GB, swap
/home about 8 to 12 GB, ext3

[pranavvaidya]

Thnx bro.
But please tell me The procedure to completely erase Redhat Linux
from my Laptop.
Can I format it using DOS ?
Thank You.

[daark.child]

One option is to use a small live cd like Parted Magic to delete all your Linux partitions. You may also want to try using FDISK on DOS or FreeDOS.

[oz]

But please tell me The procedure to completely erase Redhat Linux from my Laptop.

You could also use the Parted Magic disk as suggested by daark.child to wipe the drive for a fresh start. To wipe a drive of all content, boot the liveCD, go to a terminal and issue the following command:

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda bs=512 count=1

Replace the /dev/sda part of the command with your actual device name such as /dev/hda, if needed.

Using the dd command above will write zeros to the entire drive giving you a totally fresh start.