Using cfdisk - Partition Manager.
This will be a quick tutorial on how to use the disk space allocator "cfdisk." What it does is use geometry to write sectors and heads to the disk (properly.)
cfdisk [ options] [device]
example would be cfdisk -Pt /dev/hda // of course you can have loads of choices like just plain old cfdisk /dev/hda || /dev/hdb || /dev/hdc
the -P being to format
the t being to display in raw format.
now you may append with the following commands -
-c <cyclinder #> pretty self explanatory
-s <sector #> again, self explanatory
-h <head #> once again
-z Partition from scratch. Not good to do if you are wanting to use data already on the harddisk!
-a really not used much, all it does is change the highlight from reverse video to cursor
and again -P for format. t, s, and r can be added. r = raw data s = sector order t = raw format.
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Now there are loads of commands for you to be able to use.
Note: these are commands you use once you are in cfdisk ready to operate.
W - this is used to write to the harddisk.
u - change the units for size. Like mb to gb, kb to mb etc
t - prompt for a new file system type, and then change that time. In most systems a screen will appear that will give you numbers to choose from. Example: linux swap = 82
q - quit without saving what you just did
p - simply show you the partition table.
n - create NEW partition.
h - Get help
g - alter the disks cylinders, heads, blah you dont need to do this for linux
d - delete a partition table
b - change whether a partition is bootable or not. For instance / would be one you would type b next to.
up arrow, down arrow - move among partitions.
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Have fun with cfdisk, its great.
