n003 alert...Trying to wipe a HD so I can put Ubuntu Server on it...

[JectWon]

I just received a dell running ubuntu and would like to start fresh and install Ubuntu Server (unless someone else has a better approach).

Key points:

* I do not have a Ubuntu Live CD.
* I had to change the password bc the previous user didn't remember it.
* For whatever reason I cannot access the GUI but I can hit 'shift' during boot up and get into the command level.

Is there any basic script I can run?

I have tried # shred -vfz -n 100 /dev/hda and I get nothing no error or anything. As if I didn't input a thing.

I have also tried the same script with dev/sdb which prompts me for the password and after I enter it I get No such file or directory.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[oz]

Trying to wipe a HD

Hello and welcome!

The following command issued from the command line should clear the MBR and partition table giving you a fresh start with your hard drive:

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

You'll get a short message about records in and records out, then your hard drive should be cleared on system reboot. The entire process should only take a few seconds once the command is issued.

If needed, you can use the fdisk -l command (that's a lower-case letter L) to determine your device name:

sudo fdisk -l

[JectWon]

WOOHOO! Thanks! That was quick. I totally expected spinning disks and a lengthy process. Thanks a million!

[oz]

Keep in mind that command only clears the MBR and partition table. If you want a "secure wipe", you'll need to do it another way.

[reginaldperrin]

Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe and Data Clearing
Best option is to securely erase and over write all the data.
DBAN will do it.