Cant partition for linux

use any livecd and open a terminal while in session,run as su or sudo "fdisk /dev/sdx" where sda,sdb are for sata hdds and hda etc for pata ones.now press "m" to get the options.format and make partition via fdisk.to fix possible errors,press "x" and then press "f" and then "w" and quit.run "partprobe".hope it solves.

To format the partitions with Linux,use mkfs command.

using gparted is much easier than what i have suggested.

^^i know,
but i dont know which option to choose in the gparted boot screen. please can you suggest an easier method if available

If you have a ubuntu live cd,
boot through it and run GParted.
Havent used GParted live cd so cant say abt it.

Regards,
ray

hey , i just now formated my windows , and i have the system like this

C-15gb
D-17gb
E-39gn
F-131gb
G-29.2gb

ok, so i deleted "d" and created

8gb "/" ext3 and 1gb "swap"

i installed ubuntu yest fine , my "xp " crashed yest , so i had to reinstall.
i did , i then tried to install "linux mint4.0"

now , thats when the problem started

i cant see the partitions in linux at the time of install , i tried
mandriva 2008, fedora 8, ubuntu , mint

mandriva lets me see the partitons , when i try to install it says "cant copy files"
fedora says, "partition is Corrupt" it needs to wipe out the entire hdd
live cds of ubuntu and mint dont even go to "desktop " screen .it stays blank.

while "xp" works, the rest dont ....
now what to do???, i can delete "d" and make room for "root" and "swap"
only using mandriva 2008, as said early, even then the thing wont install.
while others dont even let me see the partition table.

so, how to fix the partition table???

using live cds never works.
it shows that the drive is full and no space is left, whenever i try to resize or do anything with the partition

is anybody there?
Please help

help me too...

summit.nayak said:

I was trying to partition my hard drive for linux but i keep on getting the error 1529 "mismatch in directory entry" when i try using partition magic
i searched google and various different other forums but to no success. i have used Acronis Disk Director but had no luck. i have tried all the windows utilities including the check disk and the disk defragmentor but to no use. please help.


P.S. i have no idea about how to get gparted live cd to work. i dont know which one to choose in the boot menu. help would be greatly praised and thanked for.

Click to expand...

if you are trying to install new linux, i'll suggest you to do this:

If you are planning to use it dual boot with windows:
1. Make a drive blank. Make sure there is no data in it. And make sure it is enough for a Linux system you want to install
2. Start Run diskmgmt.msc
3. In the logical disk manager, just right click on the drive and select "Delete Logical Drive" or "Delete Partition" on the drive that is free.... and click yes to confirm.
4. Then boot with the linux you want to install and then when the option for disk comes up, just select "Use Free Space" or similar option. If you choose custom partitioning, then in the Free disk space, select some spacvefor swap partition and you can allocate left space for "/"....

^^
i think you dont understand what i am requesting. i cant delete or resize or partition my hard disk. need help fixing that in order to install linux

hey. why dont you try using mandriva 2008, it might help....

it helped me to delete the partitions


can some one help me out in my problem????

is mandriva good? I read somewhere that Ubuntu is the most used. this is probably a bad way of choosing the os but still....

Resizing/deleting partition during installation in not that rocket science.. As far as distro is concerned stick to Ubuntu for now..during installation, Manually edit the partition table.
And here resizing means you have to delete a partition and create a new one with preferred size and filesystem.

so, i installed fedora without any probs but the fact is that my internet aint working and the guides which are on the net are all targeted towards ubuntu
so how can i change?
should i just reformat the partition which had ubuntu? will it damage grub?

No you don't need to format .. just tell what kindda connection you are having .. Its lot easier to configure internet on Fedora than ubuntu

i guess i will have to format the entire drive to install linux now...

i am using the modem ZTEZXDSL 852, which is usb and adsl

could anybody help me for the internet please

summit.nayak said:

i am using the modem ZTEZXDSL 852, which is usb and adsl

Click to expand...

That is tuff luck! USB modems are not well supported. Can you connect it thru ethernet?

infra_red_dude said:

That is tuff luck! USB modems are not well supported. Can you connect it thru ethernet?

Click to expand...

no

@summit.nayak
You modem can work under Ubuntu, atleast it reported to work.
it may no be one click working but it will work.
*neodil.blogspot.com/2007/03/usb-modem-zte-zxdsl-852-install-success.html


For partioning you can use this GPARTED-LiveCD
*gparted-livecd.tuxfamily.org/

infra_red_dude said:

That is tuff luck! USB modems are not well supported. Can you connect it thru ethernet?

Click to expand...

not true, some modem are supported
*help.ubuntu.com/7.10/internet/C/modems-adsl-usb.html

USB connection is always more shaky. You will be much better off using it via NIC. If you don't have one get a new one for some Rs. 300-400. It will give you peace of mind.
And this is true not only for linux but any OS.

mehulved said:

USB connection is always more shaky. You will be much better off using it via NIC. If you don't have one get a new one for some Rs. 300-400. It will give you peace of mind.
And this is true not only for linux but any OS.

Click to expand...

yes, Ethernet is to be used over USB but on some setups modems have only a USB connection, so no have no options left

gary4gar said:

@summit.nayak
You modem can work under Ubuntu, atleast it reported to work.
it may no be one click working but it will work.
*neodil.blogspot.com/2007/03/usb-modem-zte-zxdsl-852-install-success.html


For partioning you can use this GPARTED-LiveCD
*gparted-livecd.tuxfamily.org/


not true, some modem are supported
*help.ubuntu.com/7.10/internet/C/modems-adsl-usb.html

Click to expand...

I never said that they dont work under ubuntu, but what i said is that they are not that easy to get to work under Fedora. Thanks about the Gparted bit but i already got the hard disk to partition