On Tue, 2003-08-05 at 12:40, Michael Havens wrote:
> Does it need to be blank though?
> 
> On Wednesday 06 August 2003 06:21 am, Scott wrote:
> > > I just tried this on sda5 (which I know I created) and got the same
> > > response.  Do you think I should just start over? I don't. I think
> > > thaat the insight I  will receive from getti9ng it to work as-is could
> > > be inval;ueable; but if  that mkfs needs to be run and the drive needs
> > > to be empty, then that is what  needs to happen.
> > >
> > > :)~MIKE~(:
> > >
> > > 
> > > mke2fs 1.34-WIP (21-May-2003)
> > > /mnt/sda5 is not a block special device.
> > > Proceed anyway? (y,n) y
> > > mkfs.ext2: Device size reported to be zero.  Invalid partition
> > > specified, or
> > >         partition table wasn't reread after running fdisk, due to
> > >         a modified partition being busy and in use.  You may need to
> > >         reboot to re-read your partition table.
> > >
> > > root@bmike1:/mnt#
> >
> > One thing, you have to run mkfs on an unmounted partition ( i.e /dev/sdXX
> > ). Standard disclamer: I make no claims of responsibility for lost files,
> > bla, bla, bla.
> >
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fix your clock please

No, a partition need not be blank - when you mkfs on an unmounted
partition, it will blank it.

Craig