> >> 1) Insert CentOS install CD until you come to the first screen. > >> > >> 2) Open virtual console : Alt+F2 > >> > >> 3) # shred -vzn 65536 /dev/hda > >> > >> 4) Watch messages scroll by. Wait until it's finished (important), > >> then post here to tell us the results. > > > > Mean! > > And particularly useful to all the other people who follow > instructions to use google search to find procedures. Per shread's manual pages, this tends to fail for ext3 and other log/journaled file systems. Step 3 should instead be "badblocks -f -p 10 -w /dev/hda". The drive is now ready for the new system to be installed. mkfs.ntfs /dev/dha should suffice as well, and is much quicker. ******************************************************************* This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses. www.Hubbell.com - Hubbell Incorporated**