How to delete all partitions for a complete reinstall

[Kevin Zhao]

Hi, Tod,

Thanks again. The hidden partition is totally hidden to me so far. I
think I need to give it up :]

I think this problem is solved. That is how to delete all partitions.
And dd rules.

On the other hand I am seeking for some other "tender way" (as i
suppose) to hide those "problematic" linux partitions to things like
"powerquest". I will open a new thread in this maillist. Basically the
question is whether i can make those linux partitions pretend to be
one big partition and hide all the internal structure, as well as the
"errors" to windows application.

Thanks and regards,
Kevin

On 8/18/06, Tod Merley <todbot88 at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 8/17/06, ZHAO Keliang Kevin <cs_zkx at stu.ust.hk> wrote:
> > Hi, Tod,
> >
> > Thank you for your email. I spent quite a lot of hours in this matter.
> >
> > I have succeeded to try "fixmbr" and to play with mbr in livecd as
> > well. Now i can fixmbr in windows and let xp manage mbr. I did some
> > search and figure out that "fixmbr", or "restoration console" can be
> > added to xp such that xp CD is still not needed.
> >
> > What is disappointing is after "fixmbr", recovery CDs still don't
> > work. So far everything should be fine, except the recovery CDs, or
> > perhaps the "power quest" used by the recovery CDs which _found_ some
> > error in partitions and mess up the recovery procedure. Maybe it is
> > the laptop manufacturer who use such software that needs to be blamed.
> >
> > So I guess if I return to my original goal -- erase the MBR, the CDs
> > should work then since there should be no more error. But I am
> > reluctant to.
> >
> > Another possible way is to invoke the "hidden partition for recovery"
> > on my disk, which is a common trick for thinkpad and may not use
> > powerquest. But as you told, I lost the original OEM MBR so I always
> > fail to call it. On the other hand, I cannot see the parition in
> > either xp or ubuntu, therefore i don't know how to boot load it by
> > myself. Actually what i can see is i have 4-5 Gb missing. I am even
> > not sure if the partition is intact.
> >
> > I am a bit off topic if I proceed. I guess the problem becomes how to
> > fix the partition errors found by the "powerquest". I use
> > partitionmagic under xp and it tells error 117, namely "Partition's
> > drive letter cannot be identified", then refuse to initialize. Obvious
> > such error is endurable as both xp and ubuntu works fine. But it will
> > prevent the recovery every time.
> >
> > Oh well maybe i should eventually erase the MBR. But if I install two
> > systems again next time. I am afraid that I have to erase everything
> > again when i want to recovery in future.
> >
> > That's really a great way to seperate windows and linux. Installing
> > either one should be OK.
> >
> > hah.. Thanks again. Your name is so interesting!
> >
> > Regards,
> > Kevin
> >
> >
> > On 8/17/06, Tod Merley <todbot88 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi again Kevin,
> > >
> > > With what I know now my first step would be to make a copy of the MBR
> > > (in links above).  And then another copy when whatever Linux/GRUB had
> > > replaced it.  I think my first step whenever working with an MBR from
> > > now on will tend to by to copy whatever is there.
> > >
> > > But my guess is that now our life will be a bit more interesting.
> > >
> > > What do I think I know:
> > >
> > > 1. There is a serial number and marker in the XP-MBR which your OEM
> > > might just be looking for.  If so, you will need to talk with your
> > > OEM.
> > >
> > > 2. If your old XP MBR is really forever lost I would be tempted to try
> > > the Ultimate Boot CD's XP MBR repair ( http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
> > > ).  I have actually had a pretty good ride whenever I have used it but
> > > I find it scary.  I doubt that serial numbers will match the original
> > > but the parser may still be satisfied.  Remember to have a copy of
> > > your old MBR, and the next 63 sectors at least as well, on hand.  I
> > > mean 1. The 512 byte MBR - and - 2. The first 63 512 byte sectors
> > > (separate files).
> > >
> > > 3. You could purchase a personal version of XP (talk with your OEM first!!).
> > >
> > > 4. More reading on the XP Linux dual boot may uncover something.
> > >
> > > I chose "todbot" because it is visually symmetrical "you can fold it
> > > upon itself and it stays the same.  Originally I wanted "8todbot8" but
> > > no one allows preceding numbers so I compromised with "todbot88"
> > > (visually symmetrical within letters then numbers).
> > >
> > > Good hunting and please tell me how it all comes out.  I am putting
> > > together a "Boot Camp" presentation and this is very much an important
> > > set of boot issues.
> > >
> > > Thanks!!!
> > >
> > > Tod
> > >
> > > --
> > > ubuntu-users mailing list
> > > ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> > > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Kevin ZHAO Keliang
> > Department of Computer Science and Engineering
> > Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-users mailing list
> > ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
> >
>
> Hi again Kevin!
>
> You have probably already found this information but these links
> helped me to understand what you are trying to do:
>
> http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Rescue_and_Recovery
>
> http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Predesktop_Area
>
> I did not read all carefully.  There may be enough there to do what
> you wish.  A couple of other possibilities:
>
> http://freshmeat.net/projects/g4l/
>
> http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=76940
>
> How about a separate hard drive.  Here I can obtain a 60GB USB drive
> for about $60-US.  I have also seen people using IDE-to-USB kits.  The
> idea is to set the BIOS to prefer the USB booted disk and connect it
> when you want to see Linux.
>
> Eventually, I hope to have my usual Linux up (Presently Ubunut Dapper)
> and have several other OSs (XP, SUSE, FC5, Solaris) available via hot
> Virtual Machine.  Probably not this year.  VMware could do it now, Xen
> has a ways to go.
>
> Have fun!
>
> Tod
>
> --
> ubuntu-users mailing list
> ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
>


-- 
Kevin ZHAO Keliang
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology