Erase all traces of Windows 8

Just bought a new HP pavilion desktop with Windows 8.

I wish to totally remove Windows 8 and all data on the hard drive, remove any windows partitions, delete all data, and then install a fresh Linux.

Problem is I can seem to get to boot from USB or boot from CD.

It appears that Windows 8 added the following two "features":

1. UEFI which substitutes what we have known as the BIOS
2. Secure Boot which prevents anything but the installed operating system

How do I completely and totally erase all traces of Windows 8? Is it still possible to reformat the hard drive? I don't want a duel boot, I don't want to go back to Windows 7, I just want anything Windows gone.

Solution 1:

You have at least three options to wipe those partitions:

1. Turn off secure boot in the BIOS UEFI. After that you can boot from CD's/DVDs/USB.
2. Boot from a disk with a valid safe boot signature. (E.g. user88311's Fedora live disc or a windows 8 DVD)
3. Remove the drive, connect it to another computer and wipe it from there.