How can I quickly wipe everything and do a clean install

Question

I have a Minidell with SSD from 2009. I'd like to do a quick wipe everything and clean install to give it away. What is the fastest way?

Possible duplicate of How to completely erase hard drive? and How do I install Ubuntu? — karel, Jul 21 '17 at 13:58

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 21 '17 at 14:08

2

sudo dd if="/dev/zero" of="/dev/sdX" bs=4M count=32

Should do the trick. (X being the block device of your SSD)

After wiping, I suggest you install Ubuntu in OEM mode so that the end user is able to create their own user account and such.

answered Jul 21 '17 at 14:08

You'reAGitForNotUsingGit

14,809

Hmm, I did that and it probably answers the first question. Now how do I do a clean install? My screen says: error: unknown filesystem. Entering rescue mode. grub rescue>. Should I install Ubuntu or Lubuntu, or an older version of Ubuntu? The netbook has 2GB Ram, Atom processor and 16GB of memory – Larry Golade Jul 21 '17 at 14:26
@ThierryMsika - You'll need to burn an Ubuntu ISO to a DVD or a USB drive, and then boot from that media and install. Again, I suggest installing in OEM mode. – You'reAGitForNotUsingGit Jul 21 '17 at 14:28
How can I get to the booting order screen now? – Larry Golade Jul 21 '17 at 14:48
@ThierryMsika - Well, that depends on the specific computer you have. There is a certain key you can hold down during boot that will take you to the BIOS – You'reAGitForNotUsingGit Jul 21 '17 at 14:50
@ThierryMsika Regarding which version to install, either Xubuntu or Lubuntu would be my recommendation. – You'reAGitForNotUsingGit Jul 21 '17 at 14:53
It's a Minidell. I have tried a few keys but only get back to grub rescue> – Larry Golade Jul 21 '17 at 14:53
@ThierryMsika Let us continue this discussion in chat. – You'reAGitForNotUsingGit Jul 21 '17 at 14:54
I have quite literally laughed out loud. My answer is deleted. Why do people take these things so god damn seriously, I was only engaging in the discussion. Ubuntu used to be so much fun, what happened ! – hatterman Jul 21 '17 at 15:44
@hatterman - You might consider posting on Meta about it – You'reAGitForNotUsingGit Jul 21 '17 at 15:55
I have no desire to, I have more enjoyable things to do to be completely honest. Perhaps it was a tad unprofessional of me to vent .... however my point still stands. I was simply engaging in the discussion. – hatterman Jul 21 '17 at 16:15
@hatterman This is a Q&A, not a forum. – Jul 22 '17 at 05:00
Indeed, hence I answered the question. – hatterman Jul 22 '17 at 20:55

How can I quickly wipe everything and do a clean install

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