Arch Linux

wearyman

Member

Registered: 2007-07-26

Posts: 6

Well, I didn't get too far there...

Preparing the hard drive went okay.  However, when I attempted to use cfdisk to partition the drive, I couldn't alter the size of the partitions.  'Units' just cycled round heads and cylinders and something.  Here's what I've got:

Disc 1     Boot, NC     Primary     Linux ext 2        41.13mb
Disc 2                       Primary     Linux swap      271.44mb
Disc 3                      Primary      Linux ext 3    79711.19mb

An 80gb hard drive obviously.  Another thing I couldn't change is the type on Disc 1.  I wanted ext 3 but it wouldn't take.

I'm trying to install Arch 0.7, by the way.

Some beginners help here would be appreciated.  The answer is probably under my nose but I couldn't see it.

retsaw

Member

From: London, UK

Registered: 2005-03-22

Posts: 132

Re: Well, I didn't get too far there...

cfdisk doesn't allow that, you just delete the partitions and create new ones the size you want. You can't set the filesystem with it either, you do that when you format the partition.

Another thing, 0.7 is quite old now.  Updating from it after you install should be possible, but there have been a few changes which may give you problems with the update.  I advise installing from the latest install CD.

Allan

Pacman

From: Brisbane, AU

Registered: 2007-06-09

Posts: 11,396

Website

Re: Well, I didn't get too far there...

I agree that you should download a newer install disk.  I installed from 0.7 the other day and it took more effort than the download+CD burn would have...

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wearyman

Member

Registered: 2007-07-26

Posts: 6

Re: Well, I didn't get too far there...

Hello Both,

Many thanks for your replies.  I'll now download the new os and go from there.  I'll get past the partitioning this time!

wearyman

Member

Registered: 2007-07-26

Posts: 6

Re: Well, I didn't get too far there...

It's me again.

I've downloaded the latest FTP file but now find that Windows XP doesn't want to know about it.  I'll order a cd and come back here when I'm ready to go again - as I'm doubtless going to need to post a few more questions.

Thanks again.

lenni

Member

From: London, UK

Registered: 2007-09-21

Posts: 95

Re: Well, I didn't get too far there...

I always find, that the Gparted LiveCD is the easiest way to partition. It has a GUI and can resize/format/create partitions easily without having to juggle with the number of cyclinders and all that.

http://gparted-livecd.tuxfamily.org/

You can just partitioin before  and then set the mountpoints during installation.

Last edited by lenni (2007-11-10 14:23:11)

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b9anders

Member

Registered: 2007-11-07

Posts: 691

Re: Well, I didn't get too far there...

this is the reason I always partition with a trusted livecd before starting the installation. Too much data on my partitions I don't want to lose because I am not familiar with the partitioner. Gparted has always been the way to go for me.

Last edited by b9anders (2007-11-10 14:24:06)

wearyman

Member

Registered: 2007-07-26

Posts: 6

Re: Well, I didn't get too far there...

Hi,

Right, I'll get qparted as well.  Good advice.  This seems a good forum, too.