Help with partitioning

hi

could someone please tell me how to create a partition in FAT32 format.
i want to create this partition so i can dual boot between xp and linux, is this possible?

thanks

 

Hi Matt,

You have to unmount the file system you want to format and them format it.
As an example for partition sdb1 you would type in a terminal:

"sudo umount /dev/sdb1"
"sudo mkdosfs -F 32 /dev/sdb1"


PS: google is a must use tool! Just google for "linux howto format fat32" and you'll have hundreds of answers!

 

Will this create a partition and format it?

Ive never done a partition before nevermind on linux, which i must admit im not very fluent with lol

 

Hello,

do you have a Linux LiveCD installed on a USB key? You may find a GUIed partitioning tool on this Live media. On Ubuntu LiveCDs for example, GParted. Start the computer from the USB-Stick (or CD) and open GParted. Resizing existing partitions, formatting new ones and so on is much easier with a tool like GParted than via the terminal.

 

hi

i havnt got linux live but i have gparted.

i dont really know how to use it to create a patition. i tried to unmount the hard drive as i figured i needed to do this to create a partition, but when i tried to unmount it said it failed because the hard drive was busy.

 

Typically, if you want to create a new partition, you will have to resize the existing one to gain the space for a new partition. Keep in mind that it is not possible to alter the partition you booted from. That's why you should start your computer from an external drive and use Gparted from there. A USB thumb drive with a live system will do the job.

 

thanks a lot for the advice. ill have a tinker with the system and see if i can get it working.

should i use a usb version of something like damm small linux to do this or do you have any better suggestions?

thanks