Erasing the Currently Installed OS

To erase the currently installed OS, you can use the Tools and Drivers DVD to erase partitions on the boot hard drive. If you use the Erase Primary Boot Hard Disk option, it erases all partitions except the diagnostic partition.

The Erase Primary Boot Hard Disk option erases all partitions and all user data on the hard drive, except the diagnostic partition. Be sure to back up all data on the hard drive before performing this action.

The system diagnostic software requires the diagnostic partition to write its test scripts. Otherwise, the only output is the display on the diagnostic screen.

If you accidentally remove the diagnostic partition, you can re-create and mount it using the Create Diagnostic Partition option on the Tools and Drivers DVD. See the Sun Ultra 27 Workstation Service Manual for instructions.

To Erase the Currently Installed OS

The Erase Primary Boot Hard Disk option erases all partitions and all user data on the hard drive, except the diagnostic partition. Be sure to back up all data on the hard drive before performing this action.

To erase all partitions on the boot hard drive, except the diagnostic partition:

1. Back up any data on the workstation's boot hard disk that you want to save.

2. Insert the Tools and Drivers DVD into the workstation DVD drive and power cycle the workstation.

   The workstation will boot from the Tools and Drivers DVD.

3. When the Tools and Drivers main menu appears, select the following option:

   Erase Primary Boot Hard Disk

   This option erases all partitions currently located on the primary hard drive, except for the diagnostic partition. The diagnostic partition, if it is present, remains untouched.