The Nextor's kernel has an embedded utility called FDISK for partitioning of storage devices attached to Nextor device-based drivers.
The tool has a user interface based on menus, so anyone should be able to use it by just following the instructions provided on the screen (when in doubt, look for hints on what to do next in the lower line of the screen). There are, however, some facts to consider that are not mentioned in the tool itself:
With this tool it is not possible to add new partitions to the already partitioned device. All existing partitions must be removed before creating new ones.
To start FDISK partitioning tool, just type
_FDISK
or
CALL FDISK
from the MSX BASIC and press Enter. The utility works properly with both 40 columns and 80 columns mode, so it can be used on MSX1 and later computers.
Please note that starting the FDISK tool will delete the current BASIC program located in RAM.
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- 1. Sunrise IDE v.0.1.7 on slot 1-1 ESC. Exit ---------------------------------------- Select the device driver
Select driver: 1
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 1 . OPENMSX HARD DISK ESC. Go back to driver selection screen ---------------------------------------- Select the device
Select device: 1
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 OPENMSX HARD DISK (1) 1. Size: 100M ESC. Go back to device selection screen ---------------------------------------- Select the logical unit
Select logical unit: 1
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 OPENMSX HARD DISK (1) Logical unit 1, size: 100M Unpartitioned space available: 100M Changes are not committed until W is pressed. (No partitions found or defined) A. Add one 100M partition P. Add partition... T, Test device access ---------------------------------------- Select an option or press ESC to return
By default, the partition size is equal to the maximum available space on the device (but less than 4 GB).
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 OPENMSX HARD DISK (1) Logical unit 1, size: 100M Unpartitioned space available: 0K Changes are not committed until W is pressed. S. Show partitions (1 defined) D. Delete all partitions U. Undo add 100M partition W. Write partitions to disk T. Test device access ---------------------------------------- Select an option or press ESC to return
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 OPENMSX HARD DISK (1) Logical unit 1, size: 100M Add new partition Enter partition size in MB (1-100) or partition size in KB followed by "K" (100-32767): 20 ---------------------------------------- Enter size or press ENTER to cancel
Enter 20
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 OPENMSX HARD DISK (1) Logical unit 1, size: 100M Unpartitioned space available: 80M Changes are not committed until W is pressed. S. Show partitions (1 defined) D. Delete all partitions A. Add one 20M partition P. Add partition... U. Undo add 20M partition W. Write partitions to disk T. Test device access ---------------------------------------- Select an option or press ESC to return
If you press the D key, the program will prompt you to confirm the selection:
---------------------------------------- Discard all defined partitions? (y/n) █
If you confirm the selection and press Y, then all partitions will be deleted and the program will go to the Create partition screen.
Nextor disk partitioning tool
----------------------------------------
One new partitions defined
* 1: FAT12, 20M
2: FAT12, 20M
----------------------------------------
ESC = return, 1-2 = toggle active (*)
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 OPENMSX HARD DISK (1) Logical unit 1, size: 100M Now reading device sector 123 ---------------------------------------- Press any key to stop...
Please remember to write all changes to partitions before quitting the FDISK tool! Otherwise your changes will be lost.
Before saving the partition table to the program disk, it will warn you that all data on it will be destroyed and their recovery will be impossible:
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 OPENMSX HARD DISK (1) Logical unit 1, size: 100M Create 1 partitions on device THIS WILL DESTROY ALL DATA ON THE DEVICE!! This action can't be canceled and can't be undone Are you sure? (y/n) █ ----------------------------------------
If you confirm the selection and press Y, the partition settings will be saved to disk:
Nextor disk partitioning tool
----------------------------------------
Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1
OPENMSX HARD DISK (1)
Logical unit 1, size: 100M
Creating partition 1 of 4 ...
Done!
If this device had drivers mapped to,
please reset the computer.
----------------------------------------
Press any key to return...
By pressing any key, the program will display the following screen:
Nextor disk partitioning tool ---------------------------------------- Sunrise IDE on slot 1-1 OPENMSX HARD DISK (1) Logical unit 1, size: 100M Changes are not committed until W is pressed. S. Show partitions (1 defined) D. Delete all partitions T. Test device access ---------------------------------------- Select an option or press ESC to return
If you have finished partitioning the disk, exit the program and restart the computer.
Cancel all settings and return
---------------------------------------- Discard changes and return? (y/n) █
If you confirm the selection and press Y, all settings will be lost and the program will go to the Select the logical unit screen.
If you press U, the creation of the last section will be canceled.