Unable to format a partition.

[newbie~wan]

Brief background:

WD 30GB HDD
- one primary (~7.5gb)
- one extended( the rest of drive)
inside the extended is:
- one logical (~7gb for win2k)
- one logical (~5gb for linux)
- one logical (~2gb - current unformatted)
- one logical (~128mb for linux swap)
- one logical (~6.5gb for data - fat32)

I've listed these partitons exactly as they appear in order on the disk (1-3600 cylinders). Because of this order, windows calls XP the C: drive, 2k the D: drive, and the data part the F: drive. When I first partitioned, I left 7gb for linux. I realized I would not need this much and wish to have another 2gb data partition.

The Disk Manager sees this partition. Can I format from disk manager? I saw an option to and clicked it. It began to start, but then mentioned something about making changes to the MBR. I had no intentions of making this a bootable partition and didnt know why disk manager made that assumption, so I canceled.

Then, I tried booting w/ win98 floppy and doin format from command prompt. In command prompt, my 6.5gb data partition is labeled E: instead of F:. I figured that due to the placement on the disk of the desired unformated partition (before current data part) that what I would want to do is a a:\> format e:. Thank god I checked the content before hand! I almost said "y" to to the format.

Ok, in short, how do I fat32 format this partition? Sorry for long post, I just figured I be prompted for this info anyway.

[griobhta]

Hey Newbie~wan,

When you say that you left 7gigs for Linux I suppose that means that you just left if spare and didn't create an actual partition with this space?

It is not format that decides that filesystem it is whatever program creates the partition in the first place. So you need to create a fat32 partition then format it.

the reason you are seeing things a little differently from the win98 boot disk is that it cannot read ntfs, which is what i presume you have used for your win2k and XP partitions. Also is there hasn't been a partition created dos will not see it. You could use fdisk but as it too doesn't see ntfs I would probably leave it.

Disk manager should do it alright. make sure you are creating an logical partition rather than a primary partition. I usually use partition magic so can't really give much info on the ins and outs of disk manager. Had a brief run through it with out making a partition but looks like all you have to do is follow the prompts.

Griobhta

[newbie~wan]

Thanx Grib,

I needed to actually CREATE the partition first. You are right, it is currently just "unallocated" space - not created by MS-Dos or linux's fdisk. Just as soon as I actually create it w/ dos fdisk, I'm sure it will let me format. I'll see when I get home.

Thats it. Use partition magic if you have it - it shows everything graphically.

[griobhta]

Newbie~wan,

I'd use disk manager rather than fdisk to creat the partition as it can see and read partitions fdisk can't and also as it is graphical there is, hopfuly, less chance of formating the wrong partition

Griobhta

[newbie~wan]

Ok, maybe I'll use disk manager. But I'm not going through w/ it if I can't avoid that message about the MBR. I don't want to render my machine unbootable.

[griobhta]

newbie~wan,

that message about the MBR that wouldn't be under the description where it explains what a logical partition is? Under select partition type. If so i wouldn't worry about it. If it is not I don't know

Griobhta

[S.D.Willie]

but will disk manager show your linux partitons?
i know windows wont show you anything related to linux.
well at least in my experience so far.

SD

[newbie~wan]

It shows the as "unknown" or something like that. Disk manager does account for the contents of the entire disk, but if its linux, it lies and says its "unknown". Heck, maybe the MS OS is actually just dumn and really doesn't know what they are.

But ya, they show up. Kinda, sorta, maybe. HEhe.

[griobhta]

Hey Newbie~wan, you get it all sorted?

griobhta