[SOLVED] Unable to partition SD card

[satimis]

Hi folks,

Fialed to partition a SD card.

mini SD
kingmax 128M
FC5_64


# fdisk -l
Disk /dev/sda: 80.0 GB, 80026361856 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9729 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 13 104391 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 14 1734 13823932+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda3 1735 3008 10233405 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 3009 9729 53986432+ 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 3009 3262 2040223+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Disk /dev/sdb: 127 MB, 127139840 bytes
8 heads, 32 sectors/track, 970 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 256 * 512 = 131072 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 969 123983+ 6 FAT16

# fdisk /dev/sdb
You will not be able to write the partition table.


# fdisk /dev/sdb1

Command (m for help): d
No partition is defined yet!

Command (m for help): n
Command action
e extended
p primary partition (1-4)
p
Partition number (1-4): 1
First cylinder (1-968, default 1):
Using default value 1
Last cylinder or +size or +sizeM or +sizeK (1-968, default 968): +50M

Command (m for help): n
Command action
e extended
p primary partition (1-4)
p
Partition number (1-4): 2
First cylinder (383-968, default 383):
Using default value 383
Last cylinder or +size or +sizeM or +sizeK (383-968, default 968):
Using default value 968

Command (m for help): w

Unable to write /dev/sdb1


# dmesg -c
...
usbcore: registered new driver libusual
usbcore: registered new driver hiddev
usbcore: registered new driver usbhid
...
....
ppdev: user-space parallel port driver
ppdev0: registered pardevice
ppdev0: unregistered pardevice
ppdev1: claim the port first
ppdev2: claim the port first
ppdev3: claim the port first

Please advise how to partition the SD card. TIA

B.R.
satimis

[Sepero]

Ok, I have a little experience on SD multiple partitions:
1) First of all, it IS 100% possible to have multiple partitions on an SDcard.
2) Having mutiple partitions means you will likely be using the drive to write in more than one place (on the disk) at one time.
3) In my experience, writing to multiple places at one time tends to DESTROY some SD cards. I have had it destroy a KINGSTON and a SANDISK.
4) Having multiple partitions seems to work great with LEXAR SDcards. I've got a 512MB card that's been running great for over a year.

Anyway, your problem appears to be with your device. Using that device, are you able to modify the partition tables using a Microsoft system?

Continuing to use fdisk was useless from this point:
# fdisk /dev/sdb
You will not be able to write the partition table.

As a last resort method, you might be able to create an image of the SD partitions, and use "cat" to copy them to the device. Though, if the problem is with your device, this is likely to not work either.

PS.
As a last tib bit. When I did my partitioning, it was with my PDA directly. I use a Sharp Zaurus. I installed fdisk on it and had no problems.

[satimis]

Hi Sepero,

Tks for your advice.

I discovered my problem. There is a mechanical lock on the adapter. I haven't unlocked it completely pushing the lock to the end.

Now I have the SD card partitioned without problem.

Tks again.

B.R.
satimis

[Sepero]

[solved]

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