86 |
<H3>Welcome</H3> |
<H3>Welcome</H3> |
87 |
<div style="margin:0; padding: 3px; width: 980; position relative;"> |
<div style="margin:0; padding: 3px; width: 980; position relative;"> |
88 |
<div style="position: absolute; left: 0px;"><H4>30/09/2010 - v 3.2.0</H4></div> |
<div style="position: absolute; left: 0px;"><H4>30/09/2010 - v 3.2.0</H4></div> |
89 |
<div style="position: absolute; right: 0px;"><H4>Last update: 11/12/2010</H4></div> |
<div style="position: absolute; right: 0px;"><H4>Last update: 10/03/2011</H4></div> |
90 |
</div> |
</div> |
91 |
</div> |
</div> |
92 |
<div id="linkline"> |
<div id="linkline"> |
2108 |
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|
2109 |
<p>It tells how many hard drives you have, how many partitions they contain and what filesystems the partitions use. If you know, for example, that the disk where you've saved the disk image contains only one partition, look for such disks.</p> |
<p>It tells how many hard drives you have, how many partitions they contain and what filesystems the partitions use. If you know, for example, that the disk where you've saved the disk image contains only one partition, look for such disks.</p> |
2110 |
|
|
2111 |
<H3><a name="ntldr-vista"></a>Using Bootrec.exe (Windows Vista/7 only) <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
<H3><a name="ntldr-7"></a>Using Bootrec.exe (Windows Vista/7 only) <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
2112 |
|
|
2113 |
<p>You need Windows Vista/7 install disc for this. If you don't have one (for example, if you bought a laptop that was bundled with preinstalled Windows and manufacturer's recovery disc), download a recovery disc from <a href="http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br> |
<p>You need Windows Vista/7 install disc for this. If you don't have one (for example, if you bought a laptop that was bundled with preinstalled Windows and manufacturer's recovery disc), download a recovery disc from <a href="http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br> |
2114 |
<br> |
<br> |
2115 |
Then boot from the disc. After selecting language, time, currency and keyboard, click <b>Repair your computer</b>. You'll get a list of operating systems you're able to repair. Choose any of them; that choice doesn't matter.<br> |
Then boot from the disc.</p> |
2116 |
<br> |
|
2117 |
After that, you'll see a dialog box named <b>System Recovery Options</b>. Click <b>Command Prompt</b>. Then you only need to execute one command:</p> |
<p><img src="images/windows7-00.png"><br> |
2118 |
|
After selecting language, time, currency and keyboard, click <b>Next</b>.</p> |
2119 |
|
|
2120 |
|
<p><img src="images/windows7-01.png"><br> |
2121 |
|
Click <b>Repair your computer</b>.</p> |
2122 |
|
|
2123 |
|
<p><img src="images/windows7-02.png"><br> |
2124 |
|
Choose the option <b>Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows</b> and click <b>Next</b>.</p> |
2125 |
|
|
2126 |
|
<p><img src="images/windows7-03.png"><br> |
2127 |
|
You'll see a dialog box named <b>System Recovery Options</b>. Click <b>Command Prompt</b>.</p> |
2128 |
|
|
2129 |
|
<p><img src="images/windows7-04.png"><br> |
2130 |
|
Then you only need to execute one command:</p> |
2131 |
|
|
2132 |
<p class="newcode">Bootrec /FixMbr</p> |
<p class="newcode">Bootrec /FixMbr</p> |
2133 |
|
|
2134 |
<p><b>Note:</b> The command is case-insensitive. You can type, for example, "<b>bootrec /fixmbr</b>".</p> |
<p><b>Note:</b> The command is case-insensitive. You can type, for example, "<b>bootrec /fixmbr</b>".</p> |
2135 |
|
|
2136 |
|
<p><img src="images/windows7-05.png"><br> |
2137 |
|
</p> |
2138 |
|
|
2139 |
<H3><a name="ntldr-xp"></a>Using FIXMBR (Windows XP only) <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
<H3><a name="ntldr-xp"></a>Using FIXMBR (Windows XP only) <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
2140 |
|
|
2141 |
<p>You need Windows XP install disc. Boot from it, and when you see the screen "Windows XP Home Edition Setup" or "Windows XP Professional Setup", press <font color="Red"><b>R</b></font> to enter the Recovery Console. Then choose the Windows installation you want to log onto. If you have only one copy of Windows installed, press <font color="Red"><b>1</b></font> and ENTER. After that, enter the administator password and press ENTER.<br> |
<p>You need Windows XP install disc. Boot from it, and when you see the screen "Windows XP Home Edition Setup" or "Windows XP Professional Setup", press <font color="Red"><b>R</b></font> to enter the Recovery Console. Then choose the Windows installation you want to log onto. If you have only one copy of Windows installed, press <font color="Red"><b>1</b></font> and ENTER. After that, enter the administator password and press ENTER.<br> |
2152 |
<br> |
<br> |
2153 |
Don't worry, <b>Super Grub Disk</b> makes it possible. Boot into it.</p> |
Don't worry, <b>Super Grub Disk</b> makes it possible. Boot into it.</p> |
2154 |
|
|
2155 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-01.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-01.png"><br> |
2156 |
Just choose the option "<font color="Red"><b>!WIN! :(((</b></font>" and press ENTER.<br> |
Just choose the option "<font color="Red"><b>!WIN! :(((</b></font>" and press ENTER.<br> |
2157 |
<br> |
<br> |
2158 |
When you have Windows up and running, download the boot disk image appropriate to your version of Windows from <a href="http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm" target="_blank">Bootdisk.Com</a>. Then put a floppy to your floppy drive.<br> |
When you have Windows up and running, download the boot disk image appropriate to your version of Windows from <a href="http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm" target="_blank">Bootdisk.Com</a>. Then put a floppy to your floppy drive.<br> |
2178 |
<br> |
<br> |
2179 |
Boot into <b>Super Grub Disk</b>.</p> |
Boot into <b>Super Grub Disk</b>.</p> |
2180 |
|
|
2181 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-01a.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-01a.png"><br> |
2182 |
Choose the option "<font color="Red"><b>WIN => MBR & !WIN! :(((((((((((((((((((((</b></font>" and press ENTER. Windows will be booted automatically right after installing syslinux.</p> |
Choose the option "<font color="Red"><b>WIN => MBR & !WIN! :(((((((((((((((((((((</b></font>" and press ENTER. Windows will be booted automatically right after installing syslinux.</p> |
2183 |
|
|
2184 |
|
|
2189 |
|
|
2190 |
<p>Contrary to various ways to restore NTLDR, there is only one way to install GRUB I recommend. That's <b>Super Grub Disk</b>, because it contains GRUB no matter what has happened to the hard drive(s). First, I boot into it.</p> |
<p>Contrary to various ways to restore NTLDR, there is only one way to install GRUB I recommend. That's <b>Super Grub Disk</b>, because it contains GRUB no matter what has happened to the hard drive(s). First, I boot into it.</p> |
2191 |
|
|
2192 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-01b.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-01b.png"><br> |
2193 |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>Choose Language & HELP :-)))</b></font>" and press ENTER.</p> |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>Choose Language & HELP :-)))</b></font>" and press ENTER.</p> |
2194 |
|
|
2195 |
<H3><a name="grub-1"></a>Screen "S.G.D. Language Selection." [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-1"></a>Screen "S.G.D. Language Selection." [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2196 |
|
|
2197 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-02.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-02.png"><br> |
2198 |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>English Super Grub Disk</b></font>" and press ENTER.</p> |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>English Super Grub Disk</b></font>" and press ENTER.</p> |
2199 |
|
|
2200 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-03.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-03.png"><br> |
2201 |
I press ENTER...</p> |
I press ENTER...</p> |
2202 |
|
|
2203 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-04.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-04.png"><br> |
2204 |
...and then ENTER again...</p> |
...and then ENTER again...</p> |
2205 |
|
|
2206 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-05.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-05.png"><br> |
2207 |
...and then ENTER once again...</p> |
...and then ENTER once again...</p> |
2208 |
|
|
2209 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-06.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-06.png"><br> |
2210 |
...and finally ENTER one more time.</p> |
...and finally ENTER one more time.</p> |
2211 |
|
|
2212 |
<H3><a name="grub-2"></a>Screen "English Super Grub Disk (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-2"></a>Screen "English Super Grub Disk (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2213 |
|
|
2214 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-07.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-07.png"><br> |
2215 |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>Advanced</b></font>".</p> |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>Advanced</b></font>".</p> |
2216 |
|
|
2217 |
<H3><a name="grub-3"></a>Screen "Advanced (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-3"></a>Screen "Advanced (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2218 |
|
|
2219 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-08.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-08.png"><br> |
2220 |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>GRUB</b></font>" and press ENTER.</p> |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>GRUB</b></font>" and press ENTER.</p> |
2221 |
|
|
2222 |
<H3><a name="grub-4"></a>Screen "GRUB (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-4"></a>Screen "GRUB (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2223 |
|
|
2224 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-09.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-09.png"><br> |
2225 |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR)</b></font>" and press ENTER...</p> |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR)</b></font>" and press ENTER...</p> |
2226 |
|
|
2227 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-10.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-10.png"><br> |
2228 |
...and ENTER.</p> |
...and ENTER.</p> |
2229 |
|
|
2230 |
<H3><a name="grub-5"></a>Screen "Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR) (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-5"></a>Screen "Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR) (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2231 |
|
|
2232 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-11.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-11.png"><br> |
2233 |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>Manual Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR)</b></font>" and press ENTER. If you want to install GRUB to the Master Boot Record of the first hard drive, "<font color="Red"><b>Automatically Install</b></font>" is a better choice. If you don't know if you want GRUB to the first or some other disk, you most likely want it to the first disk.</p> |
I select "<font color="Red"><b>Manual Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR)</b></font>" and press ENTER. If you want to install GRUB to the Master Boot Record of the first hard drive, "<font color="Red"><b>Automatically Install</b></font>" is a better choice. If you don't know if you want GRUB to the first or some other disk, you most likely want it to the first disk.</p> |
2234 |
|
|
2235 |
<H3><a name="grub-6"></a>Screen "Manual Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR) (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-6"></a>Screen "Manual Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR) (Help)" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2236 |
|
|
2237 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-12.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-12.png"><br> |
2238 |
I confirm my decision by selecting "<font color="Red"><b>Manual Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR)</b></font>" again and pressing ENTER.</p> |
I confirm my decision by selecting "<font color="Red"><b>Manual Restore GRUB in Hard Disk (MBR)</b></font>" again and pressing ENTER.</p> |
2239 |
|
|
2240 |
<H3><a name="grub-7"></a>Screen "Partition of GRUB" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-7"></a>Screen "Partition of GRUB" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2241 |
|
|
2242 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-13.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-13.png"><br> |
2243 |
In this screen I can select the disk that contains the partition that contains the files needed by GRUB. In this case, that disk is the external hard drive. As you can see, the disk is only three megabytes in size - because the computer used for screenshots is still virtual. Actually, the "disk" where I'm installing GRUB is just a file.</p> |
In this screen I can select the disk that contains the partition that contains the files needed by GRUB. In this case, that disk is the external hard drive. As you can see, the disk is only three megabytes in size - because the computer used for screenshots is still virtual. Actually, the "disk" where I'm installing GRUB is just a file.</p> |
2244 |
|
|
2245 |
<H3><a name="grub-8"></a>Next Screen [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-8"></a>Next Screen [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2246 |
|
|
2247 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-14.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-14.png"><br> |
2248 |
This is where I choose the partition where GRUB files reside. This disk contains only one partition.</p> |
This is where I choose the partition where GRUB files reside. This disk contains only one partition.</p> |
2249 |
|
|
2250 |
<H3><a name="grub-9"></a>Screen "Restore to MBR of Hard Disk" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
<H3><a name="grub-9"></a>Screen "Restore to MBR of Hard Disk" [<a href="#sgd-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</H3> |
2251 |
|
|
2252 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-15.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-15.png"><br> |
2253 |
I select the external hard drive to install GRUB to its Master Boot Record.</p> |
I select the external hard drive to install GRUB to its Master Boot Record.</p> |
2254 |
|
|
2255 |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-12.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/supergrubdisk-12.png"><br> |
2256 |
Some text scrolled in the screen (too fast to read or take a screenshot) and I was back at this screen. I rebooted the computer. (In this situation, you can safely do a "hard reboot" by pressing reset button once or power button twice.)</p> |
Some text scrolled in the screen (too fast to read or take a screenshot) and I was back at this screen. I rebooted the computer. (In this situation, you can safely do a "hard reboot" by pressing reset button once or power button twice.)</p> |
2257 |
|
|
2258 |
<p><img src="images/grub-loading.png"><br> |
<p><img src="images/grub-loading.png"><br> |
2259 |
GRUB booted successfully.</p> |
GRUB booted successfully.</p> |
2260 |
|
|
2261 |
|
|
2262 |
|
</div> |
2263 |
|
|
2264 |
<a name="oldboot-top"></a> |
<a name="oldboot-top"></a> |
2265 |
<H2 style="font-size: 2em;"><a name="oldboot-intro"></a>Booting an old PC <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#oldboot-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H2> |
<H2 style="font-size: 2em;"><a name="oldboot-intro"></a>Booting an old PC <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#oldboot-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H2> |
2266 |
<p>Have you ever tried to boot an old PC off a CD-ROM, and found out it wouldn't, because its BIOS does not support it, or it's faulty or for any other reason? Well, I have. So this page is an effort to solve this problem.</p> |
<p>Have you ever tried to boot an old PC off a CD-ROM, and found out it wouldn't, because its BIOS does not support it, or it's faulty or for any other reason? Well, I have. So this page is an effort to solve this problem.</p> |
2453 |
<p>In UNIX-based systems, a partition is used to host the / (root) file system, and optionally the /opt, /usr and /home file systems. There may also be a swap partition, which doesn't host any file system.</p> |
<p>In UNIX-based systems, a partition is used to host the / (root) file system, and optionally the /opt, /usr and /home file systems. There may also be a swap partition, which doesn't host any file system.</p> |
2454 |
<p>Each operatin system provides some kind of tool to create and manage partitions. Examples of such tools are <b>fdisk</b> in DOS/Windows, <b>fdisk</b>, <b>sfdisk</b> and <b>parted</b> in Linux, etc.</p> |
<p>Each operatin system provides some kind of tool to create and manage partitions. Examples of such tools are <b>fdisk</b> in DOS/Windows, <b>fdisk</b>, <b>sfdisk</b> and <b>parted</b> in Linux, etc.</p> |
2455 |
<H3><a name="partitions-extended"></a>What is the difference between primary, extended and logical partitions? <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
<H3><a name="partitions-extended"></a>What is the difference between primary, extended and logical partitions? <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
2456 |
<p>Information about partitions is saved in so-called partition table in Master Boot Record. MBR itself is only 512 bytes in size, and only 64 bytes are reserved for partition table. That's not enough, and there are many workarounds to bypass limitations caused by the size, for example <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_block_addressing#LBA.2C_ATA_devices_and_Enhanced_BIOS" target="_blank">logical block addressing</a>. Extended partitions are another workaround.</p> |
<p>Information about partitions is saved in so-called partition table in Master Boot Record. MBR itself is only 512 bytes in size, and only 64 bytes are reserved for partition table. That's not enough, and there are many workarounds to bypass limitations caused by the size, for example <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_block_addressing#Enhanced_BIOS" target="_blank">logical block addressing</a>. Extended partitions are another workaround.</p> |
2457 |
<p>Partition table can only store information about four partitions. If one has, for example, two GNU/Linux distributions on the same disk, both of them having separate root partitions, shared /home and shared swap, the partition number limit has been hit already.</p> |
<p>Partition table can only store information about four partitions. If one has, for example, two GNU/Linux distributions on the same disk, both of them having separate root partitions, shared /home and shared swap, the partition number limit has been hit already.</p> |
2458 |
<p>A partition that is mentioned in the partition table is called primary partition. Because of the limit, one disk can only contain 1-4 primary partitions.</p> |
<p>A partition that is mentioned in the partition table is called primary partition. Because of the limit, one disk can only contain 1-4 primary partitions.</p> |
2459 |
<p>An extended partition fixes the problem simply by containing more boot records, called Extended Boot Records (EBR). Each EBR contains information about one logical partition and, if the extended partition contains multiple logical partitions, link to the next EBR. Thus, an extended partition can contain unlimited amount of logical partitions.</p> |
<p>An extended partition fixes the problem simply by containing more boot records, called Extended Boot Records (EBR). Each EBR contains information about one logical partition and, if the extended partition contains multiple logical partitions, link to the next EBR. Thus, an extended partition can contain unlimited amount of logical partitions.</p> |
2530 |
</tr> |
</tr> |
2531 |
<tr> |
<tr> |
2532 |
<th>ext4</th> |
<th>ext4</th> |
2533 |
<td style="background-color: rgb(255,0,0)">No***</td> |
<td style="background-color: rgb(255,127,0)">3rd party driver</td> |
2534 |
<td style="background-color: rgb(0,255,0)">Native</td> |
<td style="background-color: rgb(0,255,0)">Native</td> |
2535 |
<td style="background-color: rgb(255,127,0)">16 GB-16 TB*</td> |
<td style="background-color: rgb(255,127,0)">16 GB-16 TB*</td> |
2536 |
<td style="background-color: rgb(0,255,0)">Yes</td> |
<td style="background-color: rgb(0,255,0)">Yes</td> |
2546 |
</tr> |
</tr> |
2547 |
</table> |
</table> |
2548 |
<p>* Depends on cluster size<br> |
<p>* Depends on cluster size<br> |
2549 |
** <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/955704" target="_blank">This update</a> adds exFAT support to Windows XP<br> |
** <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/955704" target="_blank">This update</a> adds exFAT support to Windows XP</p> |
|
*** <a href="http://ext2read.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ext2read</a> makes accessing ext4 partitions possible, but it's not a driver and the access is read-only</p> |
|
2550 |
<p>Operating system support:</p> |
<p>Operating system support:</p> |
2551 |
<ul> |
<ul> |
2552 |
<li>"Native" means that the kernel supports the filesystem and the OS can boot from a partition using that FS.</li> |
<li>"Native" means that the kernel supports the filesystem and the OS can boot from a partition using that FS.</li> |
2553 |
<li>"Built-in" means that the kernel supports the filesystem, but booting from a partition containing such FS is very difficult.</li> |
<li>"Built-in" means that the kernel supports the filesystem, but booting from a partition containing such FS is very difficult.</li> |
2554 |
<li>"Driver included" means that ntfs-3g (the driver that adds NTFS support to Linux) comes with most GNU/Linux distributions.</li> |
<li>"Driver included" means that ntfs-3g (the driver that adds NTFS support to Linux) comes with most GNU/Linux distributions.</li> |
2555 |
<li>"3rd party driver" means that drivers to add filesystem support are available, but must be downloaded and installed separately. The ext2/3 drivers are <a href="http://www.fs-driver.org" target="_blank">Ext2 IFS</a> and <a href="http://www.ext2fsd.com" target="_blank">Ext2fsd</a> and the exFAT driver is <a href="http://code.google.com/p/exfat/" target="_blank">exfat</a>.</li> |
<li>"3rd party driver" means that a driver to add filesystem support is available, but must be downloaded and installed separately. The ext2/3/4 driver is <a href="http://www.ext2fsd.com" target="_blank">Ext2fsd</a> and the exFAT driver is <a href="http://code.google.com/p/exfat/" target="_blank">exfat</a>.</li> |
|
<li>"No" means that there is no way to get read-write filesystem support.</li> |
|
2556 |
</ul> |
</ul> |
2557 |
<H2><a name="filesystems"></a>Filesystems <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H2> |
<H2><a name="filesystems"></a>Filesystems <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H2> |
2558 |
<p>This section contains more information about most popular filesystems.</p> |
<p>This section contains more information about most popular filesystems.</p> |
2560 |
<p>The initial version of FAT (File Allocation Table), now referred as FAT12, was designed for floppy disks. A FAT12 partition can only be up to 32 megabytes in size. After that, PCs equipped with hard drives were introcuded by IBM and the sizes of hard drives began growing. Microsoft answered the need by developing first initial FAT16 and then final FAT16.</p> |
<p>The initial version of FAT (File Allocation Table), now referred as FAT12, was designed for floppy disks. A FAT12 partition can only be up to 32 megabytes in size. After that, PCs equipped with hard drives were introcuded by IBM and the sizes of hard drives began growing. Microsoft answered the need by developing first initial FAT16 and then final FAT16.</p> |
2561 |
<p>FAT16 partition can be up to two gigabytes in size. In the middle of 1990s, that limit was becoming a problem. Microsoft pushed the limit up by updating FAT again.</p> |
<p>FAT16 partition can be up to two gigabytes in size. In the middle of 1990s, that limit was becoming a problem. Microsoft pushed the limit up by updating FAT again.</p> |
2562 |
<p>FAT32 was first introduced with Windows 95 OSR2. Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 and newer support FAT32 too. Linux kernel has supported FAT32 almost as long as Windows, but booting GNU/Linux from FAT32 partition is difficult and actually requires DOS to be installed in the partition as well. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAT_filesystem_and_Linux#Installing_Linux_on_and_booting_it_from_FAT_volumes_using_umsdos" target="_blank">more information</a>)</p> |
<p>FAT32 was first introduced with Windows 95 OSR2. Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 and newer support FAT32 too. Linux kernel has supported FAT32 almost as long as Windows, but booting GNU/Linux from FAT32 partition is difficult and actually requires DOS to be installed in the partition as well. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAT_filesystem_and_Linux#Installing_Linux_on_and_booting_it_from_FAT_volumes_using_umsdos" target="_blank">more information</a>)</p> |
2563 |
<p>FAT32 partition can be up to two terabytes in size. As of now (July 2010), there are hard drives that hit the limit, but don't exceed it. A single file within FAT32 partition can be up to four gigabytes in size.</p> |
<p>FAT32 partition can be up to two terabytes in size. There are already hard drives that exceed the limit. A single file within FAT32 partition can be up to four gigabytes in size.</p> |
2564 |
<p>Because FAT32 is, in the end, based on FAT12, it has very few features. It doesn't support file permissions, hard/symbolic links, encryption, compression, alternative data streams, journaling... It lacks support for nearly anything that defines a modern filesystem. However, due to very few features, FAT32 is very fast filesystem if it's not fragmented or on a Flash-based drive. Mind you, FAT32 fragments very fast.</p> |
<p>Because FAT32 is, in the end, based on FAT12, it has very few features. It doesn't support file permissions, hard/symbolic links, encryption, compression, alternative data streams, journaling... It lacks support for nearly anything that defines a modern filesystem. However, due to very few features, FAT32 is very fast filesystem if it's not fragmented or on a Flash-based drive. Mind you, FAT32 fragments very fast.</p> |
2565 |
<p>Due to excellent operating system support, I recommend FAT32 for storing files which should be accessible in both Windows and GNU/Linux. FAT32 is also a good filesystem on Solid State Drives and thumb drives due to its performance.</p> |
<p>Due to excellent operating system support, I recommend FAT32 for storing files which should be accessible in both Windows and GNU/Linux. FAT32 is also a good filesystem on Solid State Drives and thumb drives due to its performance.</p> |
2566 |
<H3><a name="partitions-ext2"></a>ext2 <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
<H3><a name="partitions-ext2"></a>ext2 <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
2567 |
<p>Ext2 or ext2fs is the successor of extfs (extended file system). Extfs didn't support separated timestamps for access, data modification and inode modification. In order to add support for them, and make the filesystem extendable, a new filesystem had to be created.</p> |
<p>Ext2 or ext2fs is the successor of extfs (extended file system). Extfs didn't support separated timestamps for access, data modification and inode modification. In order to add support for them, and make the filesystem extendable, a new filesystem had to be created.</p> |
2568 |
<p>Ext2 was developed in January 1993, earlier than any other filesystem mentioned in this page.</p> |
<p>Ext2 was developed in January 1993, earlier than any other filesystem mentioned in this page.</p> |
2569 |
<p>Because ext2 is designed for GNU/Linux, support in Linux kernel was implemented immediately. The first Windows driver supporting ext2, <a href="http://www.ext2fsd.com" target="_blank">Ext2fsd</a> 0.01, was released on 25 January 2002. Both Windows drivers for ext2 work only on Windows NT operating systems (NT 4.0 up to Vista, 7 isn't supported yet).</p> |
<p>Because ext2 is designed for GNU/Linux, support in Linux kernel was implemented immediately. The first Windows driver supporting ext2, <a href="http://www.ext2fsd.com" target="_blank">Ext2fsd</a> 0.01, was released on 25 January 2002. Ext2fsd works only on Windows NT operating systems starting from Windows 2000.</p> |
2570 |
<p>The best property of ext2 is extensibility. The superblock contains information about which version the filesystem is (ext2, ext3 or ext4) and which extensions and features are in use. By using these pieces of information, the operating system or driver can decide whether or not mounting the partition is safe. That's the most important reason why most GNU/Linux distributions still use successors of ext2 as default filesystems.</p> |
<p>The best property of ext2 is extensibility. The superblock contains information about which version the filesystem is (ext2, ext3 or ext4) and which extensions and features are in use. By using these pieces of information, the operating system or driver can decide whether or not mounting the partition is safe. That's the most important reason why most GNU/Linux distributions still use successors of ext2 as default filesystems.</p> |
2571 |
<p>Depending on cluster size, ext2 partition can be up to 2-32 terabytes in size. File size limit is 16 GB-2 TB.</p> |
<p>Depending on cluster size, ext2 partition can be up to 2-32 terabytes in size. File size limit is 16 GB-2 TB.</p> |
2572 |
<p>Ext2 supports file permissions, both hard and symbolic links and extended file attributes. Encryption, compression and journaling are unsupported.</p> |
<p>Ext2 supports file permissions, both hard and symbolic links and extended file attributes. Encryption, compression and journaling are unsupported.</p> |
2573 |
<p>Due to lack of journaling support and existence of Windows drivers, I recommend using ext2 if you're going to install GNU/Linux on a SSD drive and want to be able to access files within Windows too.</p> |
<p>Lack of journaling support is the worst limitation of ext2. What was done in order to get rid of the limitation?</p> |
|
<p>However, lack of journaling support is the worst limitation of ext2. And what was done in order to get rid of the limitation?</p> |
|
2574 |
<H3><a name="partitions-ext3"></a>ext3 <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
<H3><a name="partitions-ext3"></a>ext3 <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
2575 |
<p>Ext3, the successor of ext2, was introduced in Linux kernel on November 2001. It supports journaling, can be grown online and optionally indexes large directories.</p> |
<p>Ext3, the successor of ext2, was introduced in Linux kernel on November 2001. It supports journaling, can be grown online and optionally indexes large directories.</p> |
2576 |
<p>Ext2 IFS and Ext2fsd can mount ext3 partition as ext2 if the journal is empty. (If it's not, something is wrong - journal is always emptied when the partition is unmounted or the computer is shut down.) Thus, ext3 support under Windows is just as good/bad as ext2 support.</p> |
<p>Ext2fsd can mount ext3 partition as ext2. Thus, ext3 support under Windows is just as good/bad as ext2 support.</p> |
2577 |
<p>Partition and file size limits are the same as in ext2: partition size limit is 2-32 TB and file size limit 16 GB-2 TB, depending on cluster size.</p> |
<p>Partition and file size limits are the same as in ext2: partition size limit is 2-32 TB and file size limit 16 GB-2 TB, depending on cluster size.</p> |
2578 |
<p>Due to journaling support and existence of Windows drivers, ext3 is a good choice if you're going to install GNU/Linux on a mechanical hard drive and want to be able to access files within Windows.</p> |
<p>Ext3 is becoming obsolete because there is...</p> |
2579 |
<H3><a name="partitions-ext4"></a>ext4 <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
<H3><a name="partitions-ext4"></a>ext4 <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
2580 |
<p>Linux kernel support for ext4, the successor of ext3, was marked stable code on October 2008. Ext4 contains multiple performance and stability improvements over ext3.</p> |
<p>Linux kernel support for ext4, the successor of ext3, was marked stable code on October 2008. Ext4 contains multiple performance and stability improvements over ext3.</p> |
2581 |
<p>The most important new feature is extents. An extent is a contiguous area of storage that has been reserved for a file. When a process starts to write to a file, the whole extent is allocated even before the write operation begins. The idea is that even if the file is larger than expected, it doesn't fragment if it doesn't exceed the size of the extent.</p> |
<p>The most important new feature is extents. An extent is a contiguous area of storage that has been reserved for a file. When a process starts to write to a file, the whole extent is allocated even before the write operation begins. The idea is that even if the file is larger than expected, it doesn't fragment if it doesn't exceed the size of the extent.</p> |
2582 |
<p>Another important improvement is larger partition size limit: an ext4 partition can be even one exabyte in size. (An exabyte is a million terabytes.) In addition, a directory within an ext4 partition can contain up to 64 000 subdirectories (instead of 32 000, as in ext2/3) and timestamps are much more accurate. The file size limit is 16 GB-16 TB, depending on cluster size.</p> |
<p>Another important improvement is larger partition size limit: an ext4 partition can be even one exabyte in size. (An exabyte is a million terabytes.) In addition, a directory within an ext4 partition can contain up to 64 000 subdirectories (instead of 32 000, as in ext2/3) and timestamps are much more accurate. The file size limit is 16 GB-16 TB, depending on cluster size.</p> |
2583 |
<p>Unfortunately, Ext2 IFS and Ext2Fsd don't support ext4 and are unable to mount ext4 partition if extents are enabled. They can be disabled, but other improvements of ext4 aren't that important for most people - using ext2 or ext3 is just easier. It is also possible to keep extents enabled and browse the partition using <a href="http://ext2read.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ext2read</a>, but Ext2read doesn't allow the user to write to the partition.</p> |
<p>Ext2fsd 0.50, released on 5 February 2011, supports ext4 and is able to mount ext4 partition even if extents are enabled. Thus, ext4 support under Windows is just as good/bad as ext2 support.</p> |
2584 |
<p>Due to its features, ext4 is a good filesystem on computers that only have GNU/Linux installed. Because journaling can be disabled, it is suitable for Solid State Drives and thumb drives too.</p> |
<p>Due to availability of Ext2fsd 0.50 and additional features, ext4 has become the de-facto GNU/Linux filesystem. Because journaling can be disabled, it is suitable for Solid State Drives and thumb drives too.</p> |
2585 |
<H3><a name="partitions-ntfs"></a>NTFS <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
<H3><a name="partitions-ntfs"></a>NTFS <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H3> |
2586 |
<p>At the end of 1980s, IBM and Microsoft were developing OS/2 operating system. Both companies expected OS/2 1.1, released on 1988, to be the first popular operating system having a GUI, Presentation Manager. Even though it didn't become too popular during its first years, Microsoft didn't complain: Windows 2 didn't sell any better.</p> |
<p>At the end of 1980s, IBM and Microsoft were developing OS/2 operating system. Both companies expected OS/2 1.1, released on 1988, to be the first popular operating system having a GUI, Presentation Manager. Even though it didn't become too popular during its first years, Microsoft didn't complain: Windows 2 didn't sell any better.</p> |
2587 |
<p>But on May 1990, Microsoft released Windows 3.0. Millions of copies of it were sold during its first year, and Microsoft began to believe that OS/2 had failed due to decisions of IBM. At autumn 1990, Microsoft stopped cooperating with IBM, recasted OS/2 3.0 as Windows NT and continued developing it alone, leaving IBM alone with OS/2.</p> |
<p>But on May 1990, Microsoft released Windows 3.0. Millions of copies of it were sold during its first year, and Microsoft began to believe that OS/2 had failed due to decisions of IBM. At autumn 1990, Microsoft stopped cooperating with IBM, recasted OS/2 3.0 as Windows NT and continued developing it alone, leaving IBM alone with OS/2.</p> |
2666 |
</ul> |
</ul> |
2667 |
<H2><a name="example"></a>Partitioning example <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H2> |
<H2><a name="example"></a>Partitioning example <span class="hideprint">[<a href="#partitions-top" title="go to top of the page">^</a>]</span></H2> |
2668 |
<p>This section contains a partitioning example. I simulate the following situation in a virtual machine:</p> |
<p>This section contains a partitioning example. I simulate the following situation in a virtual machine:</p> |
2669 |
<p>I have two partitions in my disk: <b>/dev/sda1</b> that contains a GNU/Linux distribution, and <b>/dev/sda2</b> that is a swap partition. Here we can see the output of <b>fdisk</b>:</p> |
<p>I have two partitions in my disk: <b>/dev/sda1</b> that contains a GNU/Linux distribution, and <b>/dev/sda2</b> that is a swap partition. Here we can see the output of <b>parted</b>:</p> |
2670 |
<p class="newcode">root@sysresccd /root % fdisk -l<br> |
<p class="newcode">root@sysresccd /root % parted -l<br> |
2671 |
|
Model: ATA VBOX HARDDISK (scsi)<br> |
2672 |
|
Disk /dev/sda: 2097MB<br> |
2673 |
|
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B<br> |
2674 |
|
Partition Table: msdos<br> |
2675 |
|
<br> |
2676 |
|
Number Start End Size Type File system Flags<br> |
2677 |
|
1 32.3kB 1679MB 1679MB primary ext4 boot<br> |
2678 |
|
2 1679MB 2097MB 418MB primary linux-swap(v1)<br> |
2679 |
|
<br> |
2680 |
|
<br> |
2681 |
|
Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr0 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr0 has been opened read-only.<br> |
2682 |
|
Error: /dev/sr0: unrecognised disk label<br> |
2683 |
<br> |
<br> |
2684 |
Disk /dev/sda: 2097 MB, 2097152000 bytes<br> |
Error: /dev/fd0: unrecognised disk label</p> |
|
64 heads, 63 sectors/track, 1015 cylinders<br> |
|
|
Units = cylinders of 4032 * 512 = 2064384 bytes<br> |
|
|
Disk identifier: 0x00058a4a<br> |
|
|
<br> |
|
|
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System<br> |
|
|
/dev/sda1 * 1 812 1636960+ 83 Linux<br> |
|
|
/dev/sda2 813 1015 409248 82 Linux swap / Solaris</p> |
|
2685 |
<p>Now I'm going to install another distribution on the same disk. First of all, I need one more partition, because only one distro can be installed on one partition. In addition, I want to separate /home to its own partition in order to be able to share it between distributions.</p> |
<p>Now I'm going to install another distribution on the same disk. First of all, I need one more partition, because only one distro can be installed on one partition. In addition, I want to separate /home to its own partition in order to be able to share it between distributions.</p> |
2686 |
<p>Because the whole disk is already allocated, I must shrink at least one existing partition in order to create new partitions. I'll shrink both of them to half (<b>/dev/sda1</b> from 1,6 gigabytes to 800 megabytes, and <b>/dev/sda2</b> from 400 MB to 200 MB). In addition, I'll move <b>/dev/sda2</b> right next to <b>/dev/sda1</b> to keep the partitions in order.</p> |
<p>Because the whole disk is already allocated, I must shrink at least one existing partition in order to create new partitions. I'll shrink both of them to half (<b>/dev/sda1</b> from 1,6 gigabytes to 800 megabytes, and <b>/dev/sda2</b> from 400 MB to 200 MB). In addition, I'll move <b>/dev/sda2</b> right next to <b>/dev/sda1</b> to keep the partitions in order.</p> |
2687 |
<p>But how many partitions there will be in total? One, two, three... four! Phew, I was near to paint myself into a corner. If I created only primary partitions, I'd be unable to create any more partitions on the disk. Thus, I'll create an extended partition instead and two logical partitions within it. Then I'll be able to create more logical partitions later if required.</p> |
<p>But how many partitions there will be in total? One, two, three... four! Phew, I was near to paint myself into a corner. If I created only primary partitions, I'd be unable to create any more partitions on the disk. Thus, I'll create an extended partition instead and two logical partitions within it. Then I'll be able to create more logical partitions later if required.</p> |