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.