forums.ps2dev.org

hi,

can somebody tell me, why i have to delete all the patitions on my harddisc for preparing the linuxinstallation?

i have many backups and othe apps on there. so i'm using this manual:

Create Linux partitions on hard disc (CAUTION: all data will be deleted).

* fdisk /dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/disc
Commands (key + return):
"p" - Show partitions
"d" - Delete partitions
"n" - Create partitions
"t" - CHange partition type
"w" - Write data back
"q" - Quit
Steps:
1. Show all partitions with "p".
2. Delete all partitions with "d".
3. Create a swap partition with "n", "p", "1", "1", "+128M".
4. Change partition type with "t", "1", "82".
5. Create root partition with "n", "p", "2", return, return.
6. Write partition data on hard disc with "w"

thx for ur help.

Hello,

you don't have to delete all data on your hard disc. The description use this way, because it is easier to describe. It is more difficult to describe all possible combinations. To be able to keep your stuff, you need to understand what partitions are and how Linux partitions are created.
If your using APA partitions (Sony partition type) you need to use a different tool to create them. The new kernel v3 is required, but I didn't make a initrd who can handle this. There is no easy way to explain this.

If you have backups and other apps, you most certainly should be using the ps2fdisk command for partitioning - http://playstation2-linux.com/projects/apa

Even if you don't want to use my installer (http://www.4shared.com/dir/10437217/89c ... istro.html - ps2linux_v0.7.zip) to fully install my distro, you can run the installer to remove old Linux partitions and create new partitions without disturbing your other APA partitions on the hard drive (backups, etc.).

hi,

im using the tool winhiip for formating my harddisc. the partitions with my stuff im creating with ulaunch an gamebackups with hd loader. so i dont now if this is APA?

but, my question is now: can i skip the step "2. Delete all partitions with "d". " and create the swap and root partitions without run the risk to lose my game and stuff partitions etc... and linux should also able to run ;)

thx and sorry for my bad english ^^

@suhm

If you use fdisk instead of ps2fdisk you might have a problem with your partitioning. Read the link - http://playstation2-linux.com/projects/apa

It explains far better than I can.

ohh ok in this case i use ps2fdisk. thx for the link. but which how to should i read?

http://playstation2-linux.com/download/ ... 2.2.1.html

or

http://playstation2-linux.com/download/ ... 1-xr7.html

?

The second link is correct, specifically this sublink:

http://playstation2-linux.com/download/ ... #partition

hmm ok, but this how to is confusing me.. because, why should i upgrading und backuping my linux? i don't installed it yet. and on my mc isnt enough free space to copy the ram disk filesystem to it...

couldn't i quite simply using the ps2fdisk command instead fdisk in combination with this manual? http://kernelloader.sourceforge.net/tut ... linux.html
This manual is the best ;)

The ps2fdisk utility does not accept the same syntax (commands) that fdisk uses. So while I agree that the manual is great, it is a manual for installing PS2-Linux on a hard drive without special Sony partitions already on it.
You want a comparable manual for installation of PS2-Linux alongside other PFS data, but I don't think that exists.
Since this is a developer forum, you might not find people who have your answer - you might try asking the question on http://psx-scene.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=167

ok.. thanks i understand now the howto's an der APA sheme. but in my case there are already backups etc. on my hdd.
is there now way to create a APA partition without backuping oder total formating my hdd?

because, its specially this point which confused me:

# Now you may format your drive with the APA partition scheme using any one of a number of programs, for example the Sony HDD Utility Disc, or the DMS HDD Format Utility.
Once you have formatted your hard-drive, reboot your PS2 and choose the initfs boot option. Login as root, with no password.
# Create the new partitions:

ps2fdisk

....

@suhm

is there now way to create a APA partition without backuping oder total formating my hdd?

Since you note you already have backups installed on your hdd, then it is already formatted with APA format. You now need to add the PS2-Linux partitions (1) swap and (2) root using the "ps2fdisk" utility. You MUST use the ps2fdisk utility, and NOT fdisk. You must create partitions within the first 128 GB of the hard drive because ps2fdisk is NOT 48-bit (large hard drive) aware. I recommend if possible creating the swap partition as the first partition, immediately preceding the root (second partition) on the hard drive to reduce the movement of the hard drive heads for memory swapping. So you can for example create on /dev/hda the two partitions /dev/hda1 (swap) and /dev/hda2 (root). In kernelloader then you would add "root=dev/hda2" to the kernel parameters.