Format Harddrive

I need to format my harddrive but I don't know how. I forgot my root password for RedHat 9 and it won't let me reinstall without it. If someone knows a way to recover my password then that would work better. I'm logged in as a user right now.

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Originally posted by Mushroom Realm
I need to format my harddrive but I don't know how. I forgot my root password for RedHat 9 and it won't let me reinstall without it. If someone knows a way to recover my password then that would work better. I'm logged in as a user right now.

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You installed Linux but don't know how to format your hard drive? Ugh

Anyway, put in a DOS bootable disk, any Linux distro bootable CD, Windows CD, ect... and run fdisk and destroy the partition. Or you could format it, but I don't see why since when you install the OS it will do it then (or give you an option to).

The boot disk won't boot up properly. I have the install cd's but they don't even show up as a boot option on the list.

You can either:

A) Boot from the Redhat 9 disk and just go ahead with the install, you will have a choice to delete linux partitions, delete windows partitions or use the free space avalilable.... choose to delete the linux partitions and continue with the install.

B) Go here http://www.bootdisk.com/
and download ya a M$DOS boot disk, put it onto a floppy and boot it up. Once booted
A:/>delpart
delete the linux partitions manually, and be sure to save your configuration.

Then reboot [change the boot sequence in the bios if needed] to your Redhat 9 CD. And off ya go...be sure to write your password for root down somewhere so you dont do this again :blush:

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Originally posted by kasracer
You installed Linux but don't know how to format your hard drive?

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That made me wonder too Kas! :) Sounds a little wierd!

Why not root pack it? Or low-level it... using KillDisc of course! ;)