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I need to format a drive containing an old install of Ubuntu 10.04, to install Vista (not my idea!) Vista setup apparently refuses to format non-FAT32 or NTFS partitions. However, I can't seem to format it from my live CD (Ubuntu 11.04) at all; I keep getting "device is busy" errors. What is the simplest way to format this drive?

htorque
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Thomas O
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2 Answers2

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From a live session start Gparted Partition Editor from System -> Administration:

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Choose the drive you need to re-partition or format from the top right. Then select your partition (in this case /dev/sda1). By right click on the partition a menu pops up that lets you choose to Delete or Format this partition.

Partitions need to be unmounted before changing them

In case you install another OS it may be sufficient to just delete all partitions leaving the drive unpartitioned. Partitoning and formatting will then be done by the new OS's installer.

We have to keep in mind that private data on that drive will still be recoverable after deleting or reformatting partitions.

Takkat
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  • I have a lot of partitions to format (about 8), do I have to format them all and can Vista then use them as one? – Thomas O Jun 01 '11 at 20:52
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    If they're NTFS or FAT32 partitions, then yes, Vista can natively use them. If they're anything else you'd need a workaround. The problem with having eight partitions though is that Windows will accept only four primary partitions. I don't know how interchangeable logical partitions are with extended partitions. It's probably best to back-up the data and reformat to Windows native file systems. – boehj Jun 01 '11 at 20:56
  • I'm fully aware of information security, but I don't consider it a problem for me as it was only my old school laptop. – Thomas O Jun 01 '11 at 21:32
  • It's going to my sister cause she broke her last laptop... how long will this one last I don't know. I upgraded recently to a ThinkPad. Thanks for your concern though. If I was worried about security of data I would do a basic secure shred if there was anything worth having I guess. – Thomas O Jun 01 '11 at 21:49
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    delete partition with dd if=/dev/null of=/$hd ($hd=[/hda1|/sda1|...)] or if you're more paranoid if=/dev/random or even urandom – mbx Jun 02 '11 at 02:55
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The simplest way, I would argue, is to put the Windows Vista DVD in the drive and start the installation process.

The Windows Vista DVD should be capable of formatting the disk to the Windows native partition(s) (NTFS or FAT32) you require for Windows installation.

This will cut out one step in the process.

Is that an option for you? Or do you have some special need to use a Linux Live CD?

Remember to first back-up any valuable data on partitions you plan to nuke.

boehj
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