How to format disk in Linux

For operating system, Linux requires three partitions. This is the root partition, swap partition and partition for user data. The root partition contains the operating system files. Its size must be at least 5 gigabytes. This is the only section that is mandatory. The swap partition is intended to host virtual main memory of the computer. His creation is not required if partition is not created, the operating system will automatically create and use a swap file in the root partition. Using a dedicated swap partition is more efficient because it is not subjected to fragmentation. Its size must equal the memory size of the computer. Under the section user files are typically allocated all remaining space on the hard disk.

Check to see what branches already exist in the system. Open the admin console and enter the command "fdisk /dev/hda" for IDE hard disks with IDE or "fdisk /dev/sda" if you have a hard drive with SATA interface. If the system has more than one hard disk, the first one will be called hda, the second hdb and so on. For SATA drives, the principle is the same. As a result, to start the application for partitioning and formatting the hard drive.

Enter the command "p". The screen will display the current partition table of the hard disk. Removal of existing partitions, use the command "d". The system will ask for the partition number on the disk that you want to delete. Remove partitions if necessary, and then type the command "p" to check. If you mistakenly deleted the wrong section, the command "q" will allow "roll back" changes.

Create a new partition in the empty space. To do this, you can also use the built-in operating system fdisk utility, but it doesn't have a GUI, does not support large partitions, and also has some other drawbacks. Therefore, to create a new partition, it is better to use gparted, which has a graphical interface. Open the admin console and enter the command "gparted". If there is no such program in the system, install it with the command "apt-get gparted". Opens a graphical window that displays the current partition table of the hard disk.

Select nerazluchno region, click the right mouse button. In a tributary of the menu choose create partition, specify the size, file system, and mount point. Click "OK". Now you need to apply the changes. To do this click on the image and a green check mark. Click "OK". Wait for the end of the program. Now the new partition is ready to use.