Ubuntu

u 14.4 purge /dev/sda?

Asked by phedup

I'm running Ubuntu 14.4 on a single ssd on a 64 bit Toshiba Satellite L305 laptop. After several re-installs of Ubuntu 14.4, the various problems with my system still remain. (I'm sorry that I didn't document them all. Now, I'd like to purge my /dev/sda drive and start from scratch. The only partition is for the MBR. Sorry, no screenshots for various hangs, etc.

What terminal command do I use to accomplish in order to purge /dev/sda in Ubuntu 14.4 ?

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phedup
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

You can wipe the entire drive from the Ubuntu live CD desktop using fdisk and/or dban

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phedup (voidunit) said : 		#2

Hi,

After burning an iso image of Dban to a DVD, I changed the BIOS to "Boot from CD/DVD," and re-booted. I did not use a USB stick, and I had nothing else plugged into the machine.
I ran Dban. I picked 'autonuke' for the first pass.
It finished with a red error message, and prompted:
"Check the log for more information. Press f1."
On trying this, I got no log; I was sent to the red-background entry screen and could go no further.

So I booted from the ISO disk again and tried a second option, a fast wipe.
This time I have error messages like this:

 ~ DBAN finished with non-fatal errors.
"Check the log for more information. Press f1."
~Hardware clock operation start date and finish date. (gives date and times)
~ *Fail (in red) ATA Disk Toshiba MK3252GS 298 GB 584XF5QIS LV01
~ *ERROR (in red) /dev/sda (process crash).

I really needed to know whether my SDA drive was functional; security isn't an issue here; I don't know whether to assume that my drive is functioning. I guess I didn't phrase the first correctly
"...Now, I'd like to purge my /dev/sda drive and start from scratch."

Yes, it purged my ssd, but is the drive corrupted or not? Any suggestions for utility diagnostics to find out? Clearly a terminal prompt is impossible now.

Thanks,
phedup

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#3

What make and model is the SSD? Maybe you find some information on the home page of the manufacturer?

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phedup (voidunit) said : 		#4

Hi,

I solved the problem myself. I used Dban and purged my /dev/sda by picking "Autonuke," and then purged it again by picking "Quick purge."

Then I went to my Toshiba Sattelite L305 Bios and picked "Boot from CD/DVD,"
and installed MINT Cinnamon Rebecca 17.1.

Works great.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

Remember, Mint is not supported by the Ubuntu community and the support forums are entirely separate from Ubuntu's.

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phedup (voidunit) said : 		#6

I am aware of that.

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phedup (voidunit) said : 		#7

RE Mint:

I assume Ubuntu 14.4 would have worked as well on installing from it's live CD.
I'm also under the impression that Ubuntu Forums, Launchpad, Ask Ubuntu, etc, are cross platform in that if you log into one, you are logged into all. ?

So, on UbuntuForums, in "My Profile", under "Basic Information" here are the prompts:

About derida
BiographyEdit Value
artist of the universe
LocationEdit Value
everywhere in space
InterestsEdit Value
lots
OccupationEdit Value
none
Ubuntu DistroEdit Value
Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr

Other DistrosEdit Value MINT
Mint
Launchpad AccountEdit Value N/A"

Just answering the prompts.
Clearly, this is an Ubuntu Forum, and not a Mint one.