formating from linux, for cleaning / re-install

[chaos_too]

My hard disk is currently formatted, and is soley linux. Due to a win assembler class I will be taking this semester, I need to put it on a partition. I am wondering how I format my hd, so it is clean and I can lay a Win OS, and then I will partition with lin. I am not sure, because I have been tempted to just through a bootable Win cd, thinking that it will just write over, and reformat the exsisting hard drive. Anyway, thanks again

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by chaos_too:
I have been tempted to just through a bootable Win cd

you mean like w2k?
that should work, the setup in w2k lets you repartition/delete old partitions etc.

you could wipe it out, make a new w2k partition, leave X% unused. then when you are ready, install your fave linux distro onto the unused space

just make sure you read all the stuff on dual booting, or you might wind up with linux only, with no way to access your w2k part

[chaos_too]

sorry that I didn't specify. At this point, I am planning on either win98 or winME ( I know, I know), but the debugger we use needs DOS mode, which the command in Win2k won't work. Anyway, I was sure win2k would wipe it out, because I've done it before, but I'm not sure if win9x had the same properties of re-formating during an install. for my dual boot right now I should be fine, I've set it up a number of times. I just would like to clean it, and install winblows, then linux. I've searched for documents, but the only thing I can turn up are numerous articles on going from a clean or windows system to linux. None, on going back the other way... wonder why ... LOL .. anyway, I just don't want to screw anything with the difference of file systems that exsist in this case.. thanks again ... so should I format ( and what utility is this) the whole thing, or will one of the windows media clean it up ??

[This message has been edited by chaos_too (edited 21 January 2001).]