Super newb needs a hand to hold for this entire process
 

So I'm brand spanking new at this. I'm trying to teach myself about Linux and RPM-based distributions specifically because it's a requirement for a job that I really, really want (very tired of being a barista). Beyond that as someone who primarily uses my computer for gaming, I'm quite satisfied with using Windows 7.

I'm currently attempting, and so far failing, to install OpenMandriva on a completely blank 1TB external HDD. I've finally gotten the install to boot from the DVD disk properly, but now I'm running into this error:

"Partitioning failed: FAT resizing failed: ntfs resize failed: ntfsresize v2014.2.15 (libntfs-3g)
Error: device '/dec/sdd1' is mounted. You must 'unmount' it first."

What I've tried so far is this what this site has provided: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...#1TC=windows-7

Unfortunately, the same error pops up regardless. What am I missing? Also, pretend that you're trying to explain this to your grandpa. I probably won't understand what you're trying to tell me otherwise. Please help! I'm near the end of my rope over here.

Is the new drive on which you are trying to install unallocated space?
I don't think a microsoft windows site is going to help. First, you can't install Linux on to a windows type filesystem such as FAT32 or ntfs and expect it to work. You need to create a partition and format it with a Linux filesystem such as ext4. You should have that option when you boot the DVD.

If you are trying to resize sdd1, you should be able to open a terminal as root and unmount the partition first. You should be able to find the mount point with the command: df -h. I've never used OpenMandriva so can't give any more details.

Welcome Heizu. The people here are Linux enthusiasts, ready to jump in and help get you over a difficulty, but probably not hold your hand through a whole process.

Also, when asking a technical question you must "pretend that you're trying to explain this to your grandpa" as well, it works both ways. You have Linux installed from a CD, but partitioning an external drive using Windows is giving you a problem. There's a big gap there you need to fill in. What were the steps that led you to try and format the external HD using Windows?

Have to bow out as well, since I have never yet installed from CD, but hopefully this will help get the ball rolling for you.

Be careful when messing with partitioning tools. From the way you asked your question I tend to assume you do not really know what you are doing. If you are seeing a drive called sdd1 you probably have more than one hard disk in that machine.
If you make a mistake you might erase data you don't want to erase.
For that reason I could not agree more with what linux_walt said. Tell us everything you did to get to that error... What tool are you using, what commands did you issue, etc...
Also provide some information about the machine you are installing to. How many hard drives, what size do the have each. Does any one of them contain data you want to keep etc.
You may also want to post the output of the following commands, all run from a root terminal in the live system:
(lists all available drives)
(shows where drives are mounted)
(shows free space on drives)