Thanks robert, that's a simple explanation, thanks, LeaL
*sigh*
you have been told what is wrong before, but lets end this.
"newfs /dev/sd1a" was wrong but was handled gracefully.
and it is still wrong but now it bombs out.
newfs works on raw devices. raw devices start with 'r'.
the right command simply is "newfs /dev/rsd1a".
^
now that it was spelled out, it might be easier for you to read up on
this in the manpages.
