Format HP loaded Windows7

[BertKu]

I need to format and wipe out all Windows software and generate a total clean disk to enable me to load Linux operating software.

PROBLEM I have no dvd nor floppy nor stiffy nor dongle with a format program. How can I do it. 

I have a computer connected to the Internet and with Windows 10.

This HP computer I like to use,  to learn more about Linux.  HP Compaq DC 7900 slim line 3 Ghz  2 Gb RAM  and 148 Gb disk

I am 77 of age and have a vague knowledge from 35 years ago with Unix on my ONYX 16 bit, 8 port computer. 

Please be gentle with me.

Thanks Bert

[WAWood]

@BertKu

Hello;

Allow me to welcome you to the HP forums!

First off, don't just go charging down the road, reformatting your drive and then expecting a Linux distro to work -- because due to their specialized hardware, notebooks/laptops are notoriously poor platforms for running Linux.

A MUCH BETTER approach is to create bootable media of the Linux distro, boot your laptop from it, and run it in "live mode" (basically, without installing it) and then seeing how well it works.  IF anything does not work, you would then have to logon to the support forum for that Linux distro to see what folks say about getting that to work.  That's going to range from simple (presuming a driver exists and can be downloaded) to impossible (presuming a driver does not exist).

I have a old laptop that I ran Ubuntu on for years, and then they changed the Linux kernel, and the drivers I needed would not work anymore -- so I restored it to Vista, because I needed to be able to use it.

If the Linux distro works fine,  then you can continue below ...

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You can't reformat the drive the PC is using while running Windows because the drive is basically locked.

I recommend the use of a third-party tool known as Minitool Partition Wizard. This is a free partitioning tool and you should download their Boot CD ISO file to a local drive.
 
You can get it from here: http://downloads.tomsguide.com/MiniTool-Partition-Wizard-Bootable-CD,0301-51034.html
 
Once you have this, you have a choice of media to create:
1) If you can boot from CD, download and install ImgBurn and use the Write Image to Disk option to create a bootable CD.
2) If you can boot from USB, download and install RUFUS and use the option to create a bootable USB stick from the ISO file.
 
Boot your PC with the media you created. You should now be able to do partition changes without problems.
 
Good Luck

[CherylG]

Hi Bert

Welcome to the forum. If you boot from the Linux cd/usb the installer usually asks if you want to dual-boot /run it alongside Windows or if you want to replace Windows. Choose to replace windows and it will do the job for you. You might want to read up on installing Linux if you haven't yet.

As mentioned above by WA- testing it by running it from the cd might be the preferable way before replacing windows.

[BertKu]

Hi CherylG and ,  Thank you foir the welcome and the valuable information. Unfortnately I have gone down with a hell of a bout of flu and has to postpone my reply whether I have or have not solved my problem. Both of your suggestions sounds  very wise. Will let you know. Bert.

[CherylG]

Sorry to hear you have the flu! I had a run-in with it the week before Christmas. No fun. Take care of yourself and I hope you are feeling better soon.

[BertKu]

Hi CherylG,

I am pleasedf to back on my legs again. Sorry, after I got better on Friday, I had so many problems to solve before I could put my mind to Linux again, only now I found a CD from SCO Unix dated the year 2000 which must have a reformat program on it to wipe everything out.  Thereafter I will ask you, what would be the best program I should buy, which Linix or Linux,  should  suite my playing around with the kernel of Linix and see whether some of my programs from RMCobol are still running etc.etc.

Thank you for your patient.

Bert

[ieee488 · Accepted solution]

Linux Mint is the most popular Linux distro per distrowatch.org

I run Linux Mint 18 64-bit. The latest version is Linux Mint 18.3 64-bit.