MkLinux: Getting Started[an error occurred while processing this directive]: Preparations

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Getting Started[an error occurred while processing this directive]: Preparations


Think Differently. Think MkLinux.

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pdisk

The pdisk partitioner was adapted from a Linux partitioner. Pdisk can do practically anything to your partition table. It runs on Apple-sanctioned as well as non-Apple drives. Pdisk can even modify the partition table of the disk that you're currently running from. However, pdisk has some problems.

The main problem is that pdisk is not a typical Mac OS application. It has a command-line interface that can be intimidating to many. Another disadvantage is that it does not do anything to areas of the disk other than the partition map. Consequently it cannot install a driver onto your disk, nor can it create HFS or HFS+ volumes. (However, it is important to note that it is not necessary to have a driver partition on a disk that doesn't have an HFS partition.)

Pdisk has two variants. One is a program that runs under Mac OS. The other is a MkLinux program that is available to you when the MkLinux installer is running. The Mac OS version uses Mac OS facilities to access the disks; the MkLinux version uses MkLinux's facilities. However, the "engine" in pdisk is the same between the two versions. So, once you learn to use one, you will know how to use the other.

Even though it can be intimidating at first, we recommend that you learn enough of pdisk to at least display the partition table on a disk. A good reference on how to use pdisk can be found here. Of all the partitioners mentioned, pdisk is the best one to show your disk's true partition layout.

Partitioning using pdisk(MacOS)

Before using pdisk, you must use partition your hard drive using some type of partitioning utility such as Drive Setup, HD SC setup, or FWB Hard Disk ToolKit to create unallocated space on your drive. Below is an example of Hard Disk formatted with a 2GB MacOS partition and 2GB of unallocated disk space ready for further partitioning using pdisk. Notice the start blocks and the size of the partitions.

Next. Open pdisk. You should see a screen like below. The first thing you should do is double-check your partition map. Type "l" to view the partition map.

Pdisk will prompt you for the name of the device. In this case, the name of my disk is /dev/hdc. Enter the name of the drive you wish to edit. For help on determining your drive type and name click here. Pdisk will print out the partition map. You should have at least one partition called "Apple Free Extra". Note where these partitions start (base) and their sizes(length).

Next, type "e" to edit the partion table. Typing "e" enables a new set of commands. Type "?" to list these commands.

We want to create partitions. Before you do so, you must know which block the partition starts and how long you want the partition to be. If you forgot, don't worry. You can enter "p" to get this information.(Note that before typing "e" to go into edit mode, you used an "l" to print the partition table.) Dete rmining how large your partitions shold be is easy. If you have 2.0GB of unall ocated space (4223808 blocks long) a 150MB root partition would be approximatel y 150/2000*4223808 or 316786 blocks. Type "c" to create a partition. Type the first(base) block and hit enter. Type in the length of the partition and hit enter. Fina lly, type in the name of the partition and hit enter.

Allocate any remaining space to partitions as you see fit. Giving the partitions names like "root", "swap", "usr" etc., etc, will help during the installation. Type "?" at any t ime to see your progress. When you are done, type "w" save your changes. After you have saved, type "q" to quit editing mode.

Quit pdisk. Your drive is now ready for an MkLinux installation!

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Copyright (©) 2001 MkLinux Developers Association. Permission to freely distribute this document is hereby granted, provided that it is distributed at no charge other than normal connect-time charges. All rights other than those specifically granted above are reserved.