Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Kitchen floor replacement

Hello all!!! I would appreciate anyone's advice on replacing a kitchen carpet with lenolium (probably spelled wrong)-

I have the new stuff picked out, and know that I must measure a floor plan before I go pick it up. My problem is this: Underneith the carpet is a black rubber type of material. It looks as if this stuff is glued or attatched to a cheap kind of wood board= composite board- Anyone want to venture a guess how I should attack this kitchen- Can I leave the balck rubber down and put my new stuff right on top where the carpet used to be???? If not....what tools/chemicals should I use to remove the black stuff? After I remove the black stuff, should the particle board be removed too??

Thanks:p

Yes you need to remove underlay, and replace with plywood underlayment. I wouldnt even bother worrying about scraping the old stuff off. Take a saw, set to the depth of the underlay, and get a crowbar.
I wonder if there is an asbestos worry with this?

Ok- so I removed the carpet with a suprise waiting for me underneith- between the underlay and the carpet was some old laminent- groovy old design :)

What's the point of removing the old underlay if it's flat and without any foam sticking to it- I mean...it's really clean??

Unless you know exactly what that material is, there should be no push forward. I doubt it is laminate although there is a remote possibility.
Vinyl or Linoleum is very particular about what it wants to be installed on. So clarification is needed.