From: Olaf Kirch (okir@monad.swb.de)
Date: 12/20/92


From: okir@monad.swb.de (Olaf Kirch)
Subject: [Q] Linux fdisk DOS compatible?
Date: 20 Dec 1992 11:18:14 GMT

Hi, Linuxers!

I've got a tiny problem. When I got my PC, first thing I did was
to install Linux :-) Since DOS fdisk refused to make more than one
primary partition, I used Linux fdisk. However, I left one partition
for later use with DOS. But now, DOS won't recognize my disk at all!
DOS fdisk keeps dying with some sort of "Error when reading HD". I think
this is so because I have an SCSI disk, and I think I didn't get the
disk geometry right when partitioning. Does DOS rely on anything like
track boundaries, etc? Doesn't DOS fdisk like LILO MBR's?

I have already changed all partition ids from 81 (Linux) to 83 (efs),
so DOS doesn't get confused if it gobbles the eighth bit. Doesn't help.

On a related issue (although this is not exactly a question on Linux):
When DOS should recongize my HD, may I just type format c: on the
prompt to format the DOS partition? Or will that erase ALL of my disk?
(You never know - and better don't try :-)

Yours,
Olaf

PS: And pleeeeaase! Don't tell me to backup my 300M disk to floppies! :-)

-- 
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| Olaf Kirch          Darmstadt          | okir@monad.swb.de              |
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