Formatting a USB Drive in Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a very powerful Linux Operating System asFrom the terminal window you are going to type:sudo
many of you know who read my blogs and articlesmkfs.ext3 /dev/sdb1sudo e2label /dev/sdb1
that I am a big Linux user and I try to do everything inusb-driveand you are done. Now on to the Easy Way
Linux before I would ever break down and do it inThe Easy Way
Windows. Well here is some information I thought youFirst we will have to install GParted to our computer if
might find interesting about formatting a USB drivewe don't already have it. Assuming you have access
within Ubuntu.to the internet type:sudo apt-get install gparted
*Disclaimer - You have to be sure that you knowYou will have to enter your admin password but
what you are doing when you execute the commandsgparted will be downloaded and then installed on your
that I show you here because you can erase yourcomputer. Once the installation has completed go to
entire hard drive if you do this wrong. I take absolutelySystem >> Administration >> Partition Editor and this
no responsibility for how you use this information, I amwill launch GParted.
supplying it to you strictly as on an informational bases.In the top right hand corner of the window you will see
MikeNet PC and I are not responsible for anything youall of your physical media listed in a drop down menu,
do to damage your computer or another's computer. *select the one for your USB drive, mine is /dev/sdb
There are two ways that I will describe to perform thisand it will then show you all the partitions for that
operation, what I call the hard way and the easy way.media.
The Hard WayRight click on your partition and choose "Unmount" to
You need to first make sure that your USB drive is notunmount the volume and then right click and choose
mounted. You can do this by simply by right clicking on"Format to" and I will normally select FAT32 so that I
your USB drive icon on your desktop and choosingcan use my USB drive interchangeably between
"Unmount Volume".Windows and Linux.
Next open up and terminal window. *Here you willLast but not least click the green check to apply
need to know the media name of your USB Drive. Ifchanges and this will format your USB Drive. Once
you do not then move on to the easy way because ifthat is done remove your USB drive and reinsert to
you choose the wrong media you could erase yourinto your computer and you are ready to go.
hard drive. My media is /dev/sdb1