new Linux user, major cfdisk confusion

[ep103]

Hey guys,
I just dug up an old, beaten up dell inspiron (7500), and have been attempting to install damn small linux on the machine. The issue is that when I attempt to partition the hard drive (which i suspect of being completely wiped), I've had absolutely no success, and am already in a bit over my head.
running cfdisk /dev/hda or cfdisk /dev/sda both return Fatal Error: Cannot open disk drive.

the only two commands I've gotten any response from are
sbin/fdisk -l /dev/hda0 which gives me :
Disk /dev/hda0: 0 MB, 0 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectlrs/track, 0 cylinders
Units = cyldinders of 16065 * 512 = blah bytes

followed by

Disk doesn't contain a valid partition table

and

cfdisk /dev/hda0
which returns: Opened disk read-only - you have no permission to write, Fatal Error cannot get disk size.


I'm googling furiously, but am in way over my head. Little help please?
(sorry for the long post, any response appreciated)

[likwid]

Sounds like the disk is a little more than 'wiped.' I would try another disk, or scrap the project.

[ep103]

theres no way I can just create a new partition table? Its not like I'm trying to save data or something

[devils casper]

theres no way I can just create a new partition table? Its not like I'm trying to save data or something

Post the output of fdisk -l command here. Dont pass any disk parameter to fdisk command.
OR try GParted LiveCD. Its one of the best partition Manager having GUI and 30MB size only.

[likwid]

Yea he's right; it's possible you've entered an invalid argument (your hard drive name looks a little suspicious). That output can happen if you try to look at the partitions of your cd drive I believe. So like casper said just type fdisk -l.