[ale] Bootable linux distro that can access mac formatted Unix drives?

[bpitts at learnlink.emory.edu (Brian Pitts)]

Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts wrote:
> Thanks for the leads.  I should have been more specific - I'm on the
> MacIntel platform and none of my linux boxes (gasp) can recognize the
> disks.  They see the partitions are Apple created; but fdisk can't
> access them.
> 
> I'll check out pdisk and see if I can build it for Intel platform.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Kind regards,
> Chris Bergeron

MacIntel is completely different; you do not want to use mac-fdisk or pdisk.

A quick summary of where partition data is stored:

PC's use part of the Master Boot Record. The is what fdisk and parted 
can operate on.

 From the Macintosh II until the switch to Intel, Apple computers used 
the Apple Partition Map. This is what mac-fdisk or pdisk can operate on.

Intel-based Apple computers use the GUID Partition Table. Parted can 
also operate on this.

Intel-based Apple computers that the Boot Camp software has been run on 
have a hybrid GUID Partition Table and Master Boot Record. AFAIK there 
is no linux tool that can operate on this and keep it in sync; you need 
to use parted and then run gptsync from http://refit.sourceforge.net/

I hope that is helpful.

-Brian