[SOLVED] Disk /dev/sdh doesn't contain a valid partition table

Hypertenzion · 11-10-2010, 03:55 AM

I just got an extra HDD for backup.

HDD name: Samsung Spinpoint F4EG HD204UI 2 TB (Internal HDD)

My case doesn't allow more than 1 HDD, therefore I use a "USB 2.0 to SATA & IDE adapter".

Next thing as usual with any HDD: Format and partition.

HDD recognised just fine and listed when executing "fdisk -l":

Code:

WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sda'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.


Disk /dev/sda: 2000.4 GB, 2000398934016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 243201 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xd46fd46f

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1               1          18      144553+  83  Linux
/dev/sda2              19         516     4000185   82  Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda3   *         517      243201  1949367262+  83  Linux

Disk /dev/sdh: 2000.4 GB, 2000398934016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 243201 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

Disk /dev/sdh doesn't contain a valid partition table

I executed "fdisk /dev/sdh", then "w" to write changes, then "mkfs.ext3 /dev/sdh", then "mount /dev/sdh /mnt/hd" and the "Disk /dev/sdh doesn't contain a valid partition table" pops up when executing "fdisk -l".

Note: I CAN ACCESS THE HDD JUST FINE AND WRITE/READ FROM IT when it's mounted!

The problem is the "fdisk -l" not listing the HDD as an ext3 partition but listing it as an invalid partition etc.

The command "df -k" also lists the HDD just fine:

Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/sda3 1918779404 1405697740 415613304 78% /
tmpfs 1023544 0 1023544 0% /lib/init/rw
udev 1018644 192 1018452 1% /dev
tmpfs 1023544 0 1023544 0% /dev/shm
/dev/sda1 139985 23228 109530 18% /boot
/dev/sdf 1922860936 200160 1824985048 1% /mnt/hd
/dev/sdg1 1922860936 200160 1824985048 1% /mnt/hd
/dev/sdh 1922860936 200160 1824985048 1% /mnt/hd

Help is much appreciated

bigrigdriver · 11-10-2010, 04:15 AM

fdisk doesn't understand GPT, but other partition management tools do, such as parted and gparted.

To learn more about GPT, point your browser at www.google.com/linux, and search for "guid partition table", then start reading.

Hypertenzion · 11-10-2010, 04:24 AM

Thx for the quick reply!

Edit:
Found out myself.

Fixed the problem by creating the first partition table in /dev/sdh:

- "fdisk /dev/sdh"
- "n"
- "p"
- "1"
- "w"

Afterwards:

- "mkfs.ext3 /dev/sdh1"

I didn't know that I had to format and install the filesystem on another part of the HDD, so I just replaced the /dev/sdh before.

No need for using GPT.