why won't my fat32 partitions show up in fstab and how do I add them. I am running redhat 9 in dual boot (boot magic 8) with winxp and none of my fat32 partitions show up in fstab or in the disk manager.
Any one???

You have to add them to your fstab file. It doesn't do it for you..
Should look something like this, where XX is the location of the partition, etc:

In previous distros that I used (suse 6.4) I could edit fstab witha setup tool. It lost my mount points all the time (probably wasn't auto) but could be done . Do I gotta do it by hand this time?

If u use Mandrake it will set up automatically for u.
But it's a good thing to do by yourself I think
in /etc/fstab file I think it 's some info. that is good
enough.

but u have to know where's the windows partition
/dev/hda* (if you install win32 on primary hdd)
/dev/hdb* ("---------------------------secondary hdd)

How to know?
In my way I use "fdisk"
"man fdisk"

do I decide what label to give it or is it important. I actually think I am fine with all the rest of the options but on this silly one I am a bit skittish

hus I have Thai friends here and I want to set up a computer with xp or 2000 thai so they can use it. do you have suggestions??

U must install Windows before linux!!!
****************************
And then use partition magic do allacate space
for you.
then setup linux
I've never use Boot magic.
So I suggest LILO(Linux Loader)
While configuring LILO It's very imaportant!!!
(not just LILO but if u want dual boot as well)
If u want to install XP
Boot loader must install at MBR (It's not fix but good idea)
If u want to install 2000
Boot loader must install at first sector of root partition

******
I think if i were u I 'll install XP!
because if u want windows partition
is the part of Linux. XP can do safer
Because Xp's file format have two choice
1.NTFS
2.FAT32
Use FAT32 if U want to mount win partion in LINUX.
It 's safer and easier.

Sorry if I answer the wrong question!
if u 've a problem with hda*
I suggest U try like this
open /etc/fstab with VI
then append it like this (I hope u understand me)

/dev/hda3 /mnt/c1 vfat defaults 00
/dev/hda4 /mnt/c2 vfat defaults 00
/dev/hda5 /mnt/c3 vfat defaults 00

safe it and then reboot
if u can browse /mnt/c3.Bingo! it's the right part.
if not try the other
It may seem stupid way but works!


Another way I 've never tried

mkdir /mnt/c
mount defaults /dev/hda* /mnt/c
(represent * with integer)

thanks
I think I got all the info I need for now

mkdir /mnt/c
mount defaults /dev/hda* /mnt/c
(represent * with integer)

Correction:

mkdir /mnt/c
mount -o defaults /dev/hda* /mnt/c
(represent * with integer)