Partitions, partitions, partitions.....

Clueless in VA · 08-07-2001, 09:18 AM

I teach Technology in a Tech center for a public school system in VA. We had a box donated to us that has linux red hat installed. No way to get the password for log in, so I tried to partition and format using MS DOS 6.22. When I use fdisk, it will not allow me to delete the extended partition, it states that logical drives exist. So when I try to delete the logical drives it tells me none are present. It is a 6 GB hard drive and worth salvaging if I can get the partitions to delete. I have tried fdisk /mbr and other advice from other sources, but alas I am Linux dumb. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

trickykid · 08-07-2001, 11:24 AM

Try booting with a Win95 or 98 disk, I usually can delete partitions with ease with fdisk from that bootup floppy.

Oh by the way, before you wiped out the MBR and stuff, there is a way to get the password to bootup with not knowing the password for linux. Its quite simple process too...

Clueless in VA · 08-07-2001, 12:29 PM

Thanks for the pointer, but unfortunately, no go. It did the same thing. Reported an extended partion with logical drives. Tried to delete logicals and it reported none. Vicious Cycle!!!

Is there anyway possible to acquire a Linux boot disk and use the fdisk utility from that? Are there any such resources on the web???

rolf · 08-07-2001, 12:58 PM

Partition Magic can see linux filesystem partitions, whereas Windows can't.

trickykid · 08-07-2001, 01:37 PM

yeah you should be able to download a rescue disk from www.redhat.com

Clueless in VA · 08-07-2001, 03:04 PM

My prayers have been answered. The site http://www.23cc.com/free-fdisk/ has an Fdisk utility that is free and does a much improved effort with partions. It cleared up my little problem and I highly recommend its use to anyone in the Technology field. Thanks for all your help and input Tricky and Rolf. I hope this removes me from the ranks of the clueless!

rolf · 08-07-2001, 03:55 PM

Thanks for the link, Clue

eagle0669 · 08-08-2001, 03:01 AM

I had a similar problem last wk (and honestly a few times b4 then too. heres what i did... just an fyi

1)create a non dos partition
2) set the non dos partition as active
3) then i could delete the primary partition and then format the hd

but if that does a better job i will try it out

have a great day