Re: sorry if I'm being over simplistic, but could it be that you're OS is seeing the installed copy of ubuntu as 'read only' since the source was a CD cheers Ted Hi Ted ... it appear`s to be a fully functioning Ubuntu OS installation . I can access Root by going thru terminal by way of Accessories/terminal/sudo bash ... password ... then man fdisk . I thought this was where I really wanted to be because what I know of fdsk in Windows you can set up partition`s and format a hard drive there . Although I have not figured out a way to erase the whole main partition where Ubuntu live`s as yet . Thank`s for the reply . Teri Lee -- Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary. To unsubscribe or change your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/