Linux distro's not recognising correct hd size/can't install Linux !!SOLVED!!

**irish** · 07-12-2005

Hi there. Here's the story. I have an old pc PIII, 20gb HD which I formatted using XP cd. Format was done in C prompt using FORMAT (I suspect it formatted in NTFS).
So my HD is formatted and I put in SUSE 9.2 and it comes up to HD check and informs me YaST can't do anything to the HD due to not recognising the format/partition. Then it shows me HD is only 1.9GB
I use XP cd again, reformat the HD and then try Mandrake LS2005 which I have as a dual boot on a laptop and works perfectly well. Again, I get to the partitioning drives part, and the installer flashes up warnings about the HD not being recognised and it says it has 1.9gb of space!
I need help here to install a linux distro onto my old pc. I don't wat windows just Linux. I am still learning Linux and don't want to be demoralised by this setback. Thanks

**LondoJowo** · 07-12-2005

Delete the partition using Fdisk. Then let SuSE do the partitioning/formatting of the drive.

**irish** · 07-12-2005

How do I delete the partition using Fdisk? I know it's a command but how do I get to type the command in? Is it at the boot installation point

**LondoJowo** · 07-12-2005

Get a Windows 98 SE bootdisk and run fdisk from it.
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Here's the first screen that should come up.
http://www.computerhope.com/sfdisk1.htm

Select option 3 and then follow the instructions.
http://www.computerhope.com/sfdisk3.htm

**anomie** · 07-12-2005

YaST gives you the option to select a Custom Partitioning Scheme. You can try using that to delete the Windows partition. After that you can create your Linux partition(s).

**LondoJowo** · 07-12-2005

I just remembered you may want to run

Code:

fdisk /mbr

as well.

**irish** · 07-12-2005

Thanks for the heads up everyone, trying the fdisk first and will let you know how it turns out

**irish** · 07-12-2005

okay. I've fdisked and formatted. Now I'm loading up the suse 9.3 pro disk. Fingers crossed
I agree
lang select
all looking good so far
probing hard disk
new installation
damn!!!!!
now my hd is down to 752 mb !! What's going on?

**anomie** · 07-12-2005

Did you try custom partitioning yet?

**LondoJowo** · 07-12-2005

Just run Fdisk and DON'T format it. Fdisk, remove partition, reboot, run fdisk /mbr, remove floppy, reboot with the SuSE CD.

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Linux distro's not recognising correct hd size/can't install Linux !!SOLVED!!

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