How to format and erase any partitions?

[Smoot Carl-Mitchell]

On Sun, 2010-11-14 at 22:33 +0000, Luis Paulo wrote:
> On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 21:27,  <mdovell at comcast.net> wrote:
> > I remember doing this with 9.10 quite a bit.  Is there any way with 10.04 to
> > do a simple wipe and clean install?
> >
> 
> If you are sure you want to remove all partitions from a disk, you may run
> $ sudo fdisk /dev/sdX
> and select option "o", then "w" to write and exit
> 

Some may find the cfdisk command easier to use than fdisk.  It has the
same functionality.  Also, fdisk or cfdisk does not erase data on a
drive.  They simply alter the partition table.  The data in the
partitions is untouched.  If you restore the old partition table, the
data is again available.  When you are fiddling with the partition
table, it is always advisable to save a copy of the table, just in case
you want to restore the disk to its previous state.

-- 
Smoot Carl-Mitchell
System/Network Architect
voice: +1 480 922-7313
cell: +1 602 421-9005
smoot at tic.com