FDISK does not let me create partitions

millikin691@hotmail. · 08-14-2006, 12:05 PM

first time linux user,
this is the bottom line and I'm pleading for help. I have 1 gig of ram on my computer.
I want the easiest setup possible for linux.
using fdisk I want someone to please write what I should put in for my linux and linux swap files. Please.

hitest · 08-14-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millikin691@hotmail.

first time linux user,
this is the bottom line and I'm pleading for help. I have 1 gig of ram on my computer.
I want the easiest setup possible for linux.
using fdisk I want someone to please write what I should put in for my linux and linux swap files. Please.

That is why I suggested that you use cfdisk, it will partition your drive and set-up two primary partitions, one swap (type 82) and one root (type 83).
cfdisk is easier to use than fdisk and it will do the same thing for you in slack.

You can of course use fdisk, but, you will need to read the slackbook site to uderstand what you're doing. Please read the site and get back to us about which particular portion of the fdisk process is confusing to you.

Slackware can be a daunting first choice for a Linux install.

millikin691@hotmail. · 08-14-2006, 12:33 PM

But It says in CFdisk I do not have permission to write.=/
I know how to use fdisk, but take me through CFdisk I guess, if it's easier.that and how do you make new partition in cfdisk I could only ever make one.

michaelk · 08-14-2006, 12:53 PM

We are missing some information here.
Does this PC already have windows and are you wanting to dual boot with linux?
Do you know how many partitions already exist the drive your trying to partition?
Posting the partition table will help.

bsdunix · 08-14-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millikin691@hotmail.

But It says in CFdisk I do not have permission to write.=/

Looks like you didn't read my previous post.

You say your getting an error that says cannot write to disk. You might be selecting your CD drive instead of the hard disk. What is the disk device your writing to? What is the exact error message that you are seeing? If your mistakenly selecting your CD drive in fdisk/cfdisk you'll never partition it.

Here's another helpful site with lots of pictures and instructions:

"5.2. Partitioning a hard disk"

http://www.slackbasics.org/html/inst...on.html#AEN424

millikin691@hotmail. · 08-14-2006, 01:23 PM

dual boot, I don't have any partitions. when I press P my partition table is blank.
I am trying to write to dev/hda < I think that is right.

hitest · 08-14-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millikin691@hotmail.

dual boot, I don't have any partitions. when I press P my partition table is blank.
I am trying to write to dev/hda < I think that is right.

Yep that is right. You need to be logged on as root to run fdisk. Once you're logged on as root it will give the # at the log-in prompt type this and then hit enter.

fdisk /dev/hda

note: If you have a scsi hard drive you can use this command

#fdisk /dev/sda

michaelk · 08-14-2006, 01:36 PM

It is difficult to determine permission problem with no information to go on. Are you running the install CD or a liveCD?

Create 1st primary for the swap (set parition ID 82) partition of 512MB.
Create 2nd primary for / (set partition ID 83) and make its size the rest of the disk.

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Partition/...titioning.html

millikin691@hotmail. · 08-14-2006, 03:12 PM

here's the info, I want to install slackware 10.2, from the install cd's, I want a dual boot system, when I go to fdisk it says I have no partitions already, if I do not press S to configure them, all I have is 1-81 cylinders, I cannot create new partitions in cfdisk for some reason, when I let fdisk auto configure them and hit Write, I go to setup, it still says I have no partitions?
^^ this is why people use windows^^

cwwilson721 · 08-14-2006, 03:25 PM

You have never answered anybodys questions.

Things that will allow us to help you:

Boot cd1, and get to the part where it asks you to type 'setup'. DON'T TYPE SETUP.
Type 'fdisk -l' Copy the results somewhere, then post the results here.

That will assist us tremendously.

If you choose not to do the above, you are on your own. We have tried to help, and you have not assisted us.

Your choices are determining our choices.

millikin691@hotmail. · 08-14-2006, 04:13 PM

When I typed fdisk -1 it gave me a list of commands, that's it. and told me about how to put stuff in cylinders or something. "user friendly" my ass.
that and everytime I boot fdisk it says I can't write the partitions.
instead of getting angry like a certian someone^^ tell me what to do.

michaelk · 08-14-2006, 04:15 PM

fdisk -l (a small L not a 1 (one) )

Post the exact steps you are using to create the partitions.

cwwilson721 · 08-14-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millikin691@hotmail.

When I typed fdisk -1 it gave me a list of commands, that's it. and told me about how to put stuff in cylinders or something. "user friendly" my ass.
that and everytime I boot fdisk it says I can't write the partitions.
instead of getting angry like a certian someone^^ tell me what to do.

I told you EXACTLY what to do.

Post the results.

And, yes, that was an 'l', not a numeric "1"

millikin691@hotmail. · 08-14-2006, 04:21 PM

if I type in l it doesn't give me anything. just goes back to command.

cwwilson721 · 08-14-2006, 04:24 PM

Code:

fdisk -l

It WILL give results.

Last chance.

Really.

If you cannot do a very simple command like that, you have NO chance of doing anything else.

Do it. Post the results

Code:

fdisk -l