Linux in a Nutshell, Third Edition

Name

cfdisk

Synopsis

cfdisk [options] [device]

Description

System administration command. Partition a hard disk. device may be /dev/hda (default), /dev/hdb, /dev/sda, /dev/sdb, /dev/sdc, or /dev/sdd. See also fdisk.

Options

-a

Highlight the current partition with a cursor, not reverse video.

-c cylinders

Specify the number of cylinders.

-h heads

Specify the number of heads.

-s sectors

Specify the number of sectors per track.

-z

Do not read the partition table; partition from scratch.

-P format

Display the partition table in format, which must be r (raw data), s (sector order), or t (raw format).

Commands

up arrow, down arrow

Move among partitions.

b

Toggle partition’s bootable flag.

d

Delete partition (allow other partitions to use its space).

g

Alter the disk’s geometry. Prompt for what to change: cylinders, heads, or sectors (c, h, or s, respectively).

h

Help.

m

Attempt to ensure maximum usage of disk space in the partition.

n

Create a new partition. Prompt for more information.

p

Display the partition table.

q

Quit without saving information.

t

Prompt for a new filesystem type, and change to that type.

u

Change the partition size units, rotating from megabytes to sectors to cylinders and back.

W

Save information. Note that this letter must be uppercase.