Overwriting a distro?

**EGS** · 02-26-2009, 10:20 AM

Hey,

Currently I have openSUSE 64-bit installed. I don't know if I like it...it's giving a lot of problems and I don't think it supports my video card that well, because fonts etc are really blurry and small.

I'm thinking of switching to Ubuntu 64-bit. Is this possible?
Is it possible to overwrite the current distro with the new one? How will it handle the current partitions? Is there any way to manually delete and format my hard drives and all partitions with a simple command line in terminal?

Please help/advise.

**Tor** · 02-26-2009, 12:39 PM

Yes, it is possible. Just pop in your Ubuntu disc and boot up. When it comes to the partition setup just delete the current one (with OpenSuse) and then create a new partition with the free space you just created. It will format it and install it.

**EGS** · 02-27-2009, 07:44 AM

Okay, now I want to install Windows Vista 64-bit OS over my Linux installation.

Can I just insert the installation DVD when the PC is booting up? Will Windows Vista be able to ovewrite Linux and delete the partitions?

Help appreciated.

Jordan · 02-27-2009, 08:01 AM

Yes, Windows also has a partition manager and you can select/delete the Linux partitions with it.

**Tor** · 03-02-2009, 12:11 PM

The Vista installer will allow you to do this.

**EGS** · 03-04-2009, 11:18 AM

Please help!

Installation is not working because Windows isn't detecting my hard drives because openSUSE Linux is already installed. I did not use GRUB or any bootloader to install the OS...

I need to somehow delete all partitions and format both of my hard drives which are currently in RAID 0 so I can install Windows.

How can I do this?
Please help!

**Tor** · 03-04-2009, 11:42 AM

Windows will still detect your hard drive even it Linux is installed. Are you able to get to the Windows partition manager?

**EGS** · 03-04-2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Tor

Windows will still detect your hard drive even it Linux is installed. Are you able to get to the Windows partition manager?

That's what I'm saying! The Windows Vista 64-bit installation DVD isn't picking up ANY of my two hard drives at all because Linux is installed! The partitions must be in a Windows-incompatible format!!!

I don't know what to do!!!

**WingedPanther** · 03-04-2009, 01:25 PM

A partition is not a "format" in the sense you mean. Things that immediately come to mind: Does your BIOS detect the hard drives? Can you boot to them? Is your system a 64-bit system?

**Homebrewer** · 03-28-2009, 09:23 AM

Whats better than nuking it and making another fresh install, its like taking a bath and feeling fresh at the first uses. This can be a better choice if you are upgrading to another distro.