Removing Disk sdx contains RAID metadata error while installation

When Installing Linux on server sometimes we come across the error message like Disk sdx contains RAID metadata and is ignored.

To fix this there are 2 ways.

Boot into rescue mode by selecting option on centos 6 or typing linux rescue for centos 5 and start the shell without configuring network.

After you are on shell type command.

dmraid -r -E /dev/sdx

you would be asked for confirmation:
Do you really want to erase “sdx” ondisk metadata on /dev/sdc ? [y/n] :

where sdx refers to your drive (sda or sdb etc)

Type y and hit enter.

If you get no error then the drive is ready for the installation

NOTE : EXECUTE THIS COMMAND ON MULTIPLE DRIVES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER IF YOU HAVE ERROR ON MORE THAN ONE DRIVE.

If there is an error then you need to work an alternate method.

On the rescue shell execute command.

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdx bs IM

where sdx refers to drive you need to fix.

then execute

# – z
# bg
# killall -USR1 dd

and then you need to wait as this process may take longer durations depending on the Hard Drive capacity.

after the process is complete a message will be displayed and your Hard Drive is ready for install.

Hope this helps

Naren