how do you use fdisk/format in linux

[linuxnewbie1961]

Hi I'm new to linux and currently running UBUNTU 64 BIT but have tried putting mandriva 2006 32bit on and it comes up with error 17 how do you fdisk/format with linux is it just the same as windows xp or are they different commands any help would be welcome as I've just got 7 different linux's in the post and dying to try them thanks in advance T

[jan1024188]

hi linuxnewbie1961
You can use

cfdisk

command if that helps.
it looks like that

                                 cfdisk 2.12r

                              Disk Drive: /dev/hda
                       Size: 164696555520 bytes, 164.6 GB
             Heads: 255   Sectors per Track: 63   Cylinders: 20023

    Name        Flags      Part Type  FS Type          [Label]        Size (MB)
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    hda1        Boot        Primary   NTFS             []              62972.75
    hda5                    Logical   Linux ext3                       47188.44
    hda6                    Logical   Linux swap / Solaris              2097.45
    hda2                    Primary   Linux ext3       [/boot]           106.93
    hda3                    Primary   Linux LVM                        52329.24







     [Bootable]  [ Delete ]  [  Help  ]  [Maximize]  [ Print  ]
     [  Quit  ]  [  Type  ]  [ Units  ]  [ Write  ]

                 Toggle bootable flag of the current partition

I would recommend you some graphical program for partitioning like GParted or QTParted.

[linuxnewbie1961]

thanks for that so do I use the windows 98 floppy that I use with windows xp or something else if so what

[jan1024188]

no boot into Ubuntu.open a terminal(program liko MS-DOS but much more powerfoul )and type

sudo cfdisk

[linuxnewbie1961]

how? do i do that ?

[jan1024188]

Hi I'm new to linux and currently running UBUNTU

So you are using ubuntu.Boot into ubuntu and than open terminal or console.
Type

sudo cfdisk

.But for newbies is much easyer to use programs like GParted.You can get by typing

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install gparted

[linuxnewbie1961]

thick as pigs springs to mind when you are telling me this how do i do it

[jan1024188]

so you wish that i would explain you step by step what to do?

[linuxnewbie1961]

yes please that would be a great help

[jan1024188]

ok you have installed ubuntu.Probably you have a bootloader installed too.Select Ubuntu in your boot loader and that will boot it.So like i see you are complete newbie ill recomend you to use graphic program for partitionin,formatting etc.Open your application menu>accesories>terminal
type

sudo apt-get update

sudo will register you as root
apt-get is a package manager
than when update fnishes type

sudo apt-get install gparted

gparted is a program for partitionong easy to use..
after that type in terminal

sudo gparted

that will run gparted

was i clear enaugh?
please tell me if you need more info