i have a rather old hp pavillion that i would like to prevent from becoming useless. the hard drive in it is very small. it has a version of linux, probably ubuntu, already installed, because grub loads at bootup. being such a small hard drive, i have decided to install damn small linux instead, but i don't know how to use cfdisk, the native dsl partitioner.
dsl is running off the cdrom. it's not installed on the hard drive.
i became root by putting this in terminal:

sudo -s

then i accessed cfdisk by using this:

cfdisk /dev/hda


the cfdisk utility came on screen with the following info:

disk drive: /dev/hda
size 545513472 bytes 545MB
heads: 255 sectors per track: 63 cylinders: 66

hda1 primary linux 82.26 MB
hda2 primary linux ext2 172.74 MB
hda3 primary linux ext2 287.89 MB


to make a long story short, is this hard drive big enough for damn small linux?, and are these partitions adequate?
i could sure use some guidance using this utility. i don't honestly know which partition to use as root, which to make swap, which to make home, and which to make bootable.
going from the graphical user interface that ubuntu offers to cfdisk is quite a change. could someone lend some expertise? thanks.

Repartition it with parted magic CD or something else first. During install you will need to indicate the mount points.

root partition / 250 MB
/home 200 MB
swap 50 MB

Hi,
Why? The OP can partition with Cfdisk. That's what the OP wants.

Hi,

The use of 'Cfdisk' has been covered many times here on LQ. As for the partition scheme requirements for 'DSL', I suggest that you look at 'Damn Small Linux Community Wiki!!!'.

Once you have decided on your space allocation for the install then you can create the filesystem(s) on the drive. I know that the installer will probably provide you with the option. But it is better to create the filesystem(s) before hand to allow checking of the partition validity. This will aid you in deciding whether to continue or replace the hdd.

Even with Cfdisk I like to reboot to update the Kernel tables before the creation of a filesystem(s). Once you have the filesystems setup then continue by booting the install media.

The above link and others available from 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

@amani
i tried parted magic. i've used it before with success, but not this time. "no LBA mode", or something like that. your partition info was useful, however.

@onebuck
the link was helpful.

thanks for the replies. linux is great!