What exactly happens if I blank my hard disk?

[ubername]

I have no intention of ever using Windows on my T61. I have read that blanking the hard disk can leave the system unbootable but I haven't had any luck figuring out exactly what that means. Does this mean it can't boot into the bios, predesktop area OS or something else? Can I still restore it with the recovery DVDs for warranty purposes?

Thanks

[jdhurst]

If you make and test recovery CD's (or purchase them), then it matters not what you do with your hard drive because you can return to initial state with the recovery CD's.

Check the Linux posts here. You can load Linux without destroying the hidden Pre Desktop Area, but Linux may change the MBR and you need to know how to restore that.
... JDH

[carbon_unit]

If you blank the drive it will contain no data. You can boot to the BIOS and even on to a CD or other source but not the hard drive as it has nothing on it to boot up. You can then install anything you desire.
Even though you have no intention of running windows, are you going to keep it forever? If you plan on selling it someday you will want to put windows back on it to make it more desirable to buyers. Make a set of recovery disks before you wipe the drive.

[RealBlackStuff]

Or buy a new drive and keep the original with XP on it somewhere save, until you sell it.