Hi Linux world,

I recently installed Fedora 4 on a dual boot system, and I love it. But, I'm in school, everything I do requires my computer, and I'm not effecient with Linux yet. So, I have to keep windows around for a little while, but I promise I will be rid of it in due time.

So right now I'm trying to format a partition of the harddrive windows is on to share files between the two operating systems; I have read that FAT32 is the way to go, but have not seen specifics on how to accomplish this. Here is the partition layout:

Disk /dev/hdb: 40.0 GB, 40020664320 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4865 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hdb1 * 1 13 104391 83 Linux
/dev/hdb2 14 4865 38973690 8e Linux LVM

Disk /dev/sda: 120.0 GB, 120034123776 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14593 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 3824 30716248+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 3825 14592 86493960 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda5 3825 7648 30716248+ 7 HPFS/NTFS


I would like to make all of /dev/sda2 a FAT32 format (or whatever is best for both operating systems, I really don't know). I don't exactly know how to do this , and fdisk and mkfs.msdos both give horrendous warnings about errasing your data with the wrong syntax. sda1 and sda5 both have operating systems on them (both winxp, one with all the services and internet bloatware turned off), but sda2 and sda5 start at the same point.

Does anyone know how I can make this extended partion readable for both operating systems? I know, I know, Linux has everything I need, but it will take some time to find and install everything I need, and I have homework due tomorrow. I do hate windows, but its like a bad alcohol addiction, it isn't wise to cut cold turkey, one must slowly wein themselves off the dependancy.

Anywho, thanks for help if anyone can.

It's really simple. U can use windows to format the partition as FAT32 (there are size limitations for large drives...). Once formatted u can then mount it into your linux environment. Each OS can read/write. I've done this a few times.

An extended partition (your sda2) is in a nutshell a container for logical partitions i.e. sda5. An extended partition allows one to create more then 4 partitions on a hard drive. Do not attempt to modify it or you will also delete all data in sda5. You have plenty of free space to create an additional logical partition.

The max FAT32 partition you can create in XP or W2k is 32GB but you can create larger partitions with linux or Win98. cfdisk is a more user friendly utility. Use mkdosfs to format the filesystem.

mkdosfs -f 32 /dev/sda6

it should be

mkdosfs -F 32 /dev/sda6

(observe the Capital "F")

In case you are confused, you have to create sda6 first before you can run the command "mkdosfs -F 32 /dev/sda6". Of course.

And I think that it is OK not to get rid of windows at all...
We all just can't deny that windows is better for games, certain hardwares and compatibilities with other people outside of the linux world. So I really think it is OK with a dual-boot.

And ya, you can format FAT32 partition with windows.

install ntfs drivers!