Wipe HD clean and install Linux

Hello,

I want to sell an old Dell Latitude laptop, running Windows 2000 Pro. I want to make sure all my personal information is wiped clean from the laptop before I sell it. I bought it at a used computer store and they did not include the installation disks. I went there today and they are not willing to install an OS on it unless I pay $50. So, what are the steps to format my drive clean as a whistle, and then install a basic free OS (using my computer computer to download)?

The store told me I can put Ibunto Linux on it. But if I wipe the disk clean first, maybe it won't recognize my CD-ROM (I have had trouble before with that drive and had to download a driver for my DVD player, etc).

Please tell me if you need more information. A CD holds 700 mb and the download I was looking at is 699 megs. I am guessing a DVD won't work in this situation?

Thanks!
Linda

You should download the Ubuntu Live CD. Before wiping your hard disk and zeroing it out, you can boot to the live CD and make sure it is functioning. In this way, you will not have to worry about wiping your disk and winding up not able to install Ubuntu.

why not just wipe the hard drive and sell it without an operating system?

kword88 said:

why not just wipe the hard drive and sell it without an operating system?

Click to expand...

I just thought that it would sell better, because people can view the specs and see if it is working at all, including the hardware.

I downloaded Ubuntu last night and it only downloaded part of the file. I tried both Firefox and IE. I guess I'll try one more time. The Downloads folder told me that it tranferred 63 kb per second. I get high speed internet that is supposedly be 5 megs per second. I wonder what's up with that?

It is perhaps that you are just on a slow mirror. You should try a different one located near you.

OK, so I successfully downloaded the Ubuntu 8.10 file. I burned it to a CD. I basically dragged the entire ISO image into the burning software. I then put it into my other laptop and tried booting from it, but it failed. I then went into the BIOS and changed the bootup order from Internal HD to CD/DVD as number one order. When I boot, I simply restart my computer with disc in and press the F12 key. I then choose "boot from CD" or something to that effect but it always boots up my Windows 2000 OS.

What am I doing wrong? How can I test it from another bootable CD? I don't know if I even have one.

I am not sure about how you burned it. Are you sure you burned it as an iso? If it is in while windows is booted, does it show up as a CD with the iso folder on it or does it show up with a bunch of files on it?

What program did you use to burn the iso?

linsjean said:

OK, so I successfully downloaded the Ubuntu 8.10 file. I burned it to a CD. I basically dragged the entire ISO image into the burning software. I then put it into my other laptop and tried booting from it, but it failed. I then went into the BIOS and changed the bootup order from Internal HD to CD/DVD as number one order. When I boot, I simply restart my computer with disc in and press the F12 key. I then choose "boot from CD" or something to that effect but it always boots up my Windows 2000 OS.

What am I doing wrong? How can I test it from another bootable CD? I don't know if I even have one.

Click to expand...

Go to this link for help on burning Ubuntu ISO: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

Go to this link for help installing Ubuntu OS: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/I386

-DirtyData

you did not unpack the iso file. you just copied it to a new location. you have to open the iso with a program such as nero or burnaware.

Thank you everyone! All is well! Great links for directions. Thanks very much.
Linda