Linux fdisk Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to fdisk on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including disk partitioning, creating partitions, and partition management.

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Table of Contents

1. Understanding fdisk
2. fdisk Basics
3. Creating Partitions
4. Managing Partitions
5. Troubleshooting

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Understanding fdisk

What is fdisk?

fdisk is disk partition manipulator.

Uses:

• Create partitions: Make new partitions
• Delete partitions: Remove partitions
• Modify partitions: Change partition properties
• View partitions: List partition table

Warning:

• Data loss: Can erase data
• Backup first: Always backup important data
• Be careful: Double-check before writing

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fdisk Basics

List Devices

Find disk:

# List block devices
lsblk

# Or
fdisk -l

Start fdisk

Open disk:

# Open disk for editing
sudo fdisk /dev/sda

# Interactive mode
# Type 'm' for help

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Creating Partitions

Create New Partition

Steps:

# Start fdisk
sudo fdisk /dev/sda

# Create new partition
n

# Choose partition type
# p = primary, e = extended

# Partition number
# Enter number or press Enter

# First sector
# Press Enter for default

# Last sector
# Enter size (e.g., +10G) or press Enter

Write Changes

Apply changes:

# In fdisk
w

# Write partition table and exit

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Managing Partitions

View Partitions

List partitions:

# In fdisk
p

# Print partition table

Delete Partition

Remove partition:

# In fdisk
d

# Select partition number
# Enter number

Change Partition Type

Modify type:

# In fdisk
t

# Select partition
# Enter hex code for type

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Troubleshooting

Partition Not Showing

Update system:

# Reload partition table
sudo partprobe /dev/sda

# Or reboot

fdisk Errors

Check disk:

# Check disk
sudo fdisk -l /dev/sda

# Verify partition table
sudo sfdisk -V /dev/sda

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Summary

This guide covered fdisk usage, partition creation, and disk management for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions.

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Next Steps

• Disk Utilities - Disk tools
• Filesystem Management - Filesystem setup
• lsblk Guide - List devices
• fdisk Documentation: man fdisk

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This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. For distribution-specific details, refer to your distribution's documentation.