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Format drive for linux

Tags:
  • Linux
  • Windows XP
  • Format
Last response: in Linux/Free BSD
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January 24, 2014 8:22:24 PM

I have a slave hooked up to my XP PC which is currently formatted for windows but I would like to reformat it for linux... how can I do this using my PC ... Thanks

More about : format drive linux

January 24, 2014 9:12:09 PM

If you are installing Ubuntu, then Ubuntu will automagically wipe-clean & re-format the HDD drive as part of the install process. Just spin-up your burned DVD and when asked pick-the-HDD.
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January 26, 2014 12:53:18 PM

That's not what I'm doing I have another device that runs a Linux software and had a hdd failure ..... To load new software on that machine I need a Linux formatted drive so the mobo sees it and loads the disc.....how can I make this work ???
Thanks
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a b 5 Linux
January 27, 2014 12:19:36 AM

Quote:
That's not what I'm doing I have another device that runs a Linux software and had a hdd failure ..... To load new software on that machine I need a Linux formatted drive so the mobo sees it and loads the disc.....how can I make this work ???
Thanks


OK that's a little unclear. Do you have one or two computers involved? Do you want to reinstall linux on a hard drive? If that is the case then you just download a copy of your favorite linux version and burn it to a dvd. Boot the dvd and install from there. If two computers are involved please explain again what you want to do, ie you have a windows computer and want to work on a linux partition of an external or second drive.
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January 27, 2014 10:16:53 AM

I have a windows pc which I have to work with ....... Another machine not pc but Linux based machine and I have the software for that on DVD but it won't see a hdd unless it's formatted correctly ...... I need to take a hdd I have here and get it formatted for Linux so I can use it in the other device ...... The other unit is not a pc and I have no way to format it there it needs to already be formatted when it's hooked up there
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a b 5 Linux
January 27, 2014 1:01:03 PM

The linux PC *should* be able to see and correctly format the drive. There is no reason not to unless you do not have root access.
1)Plug in the HDD
2)Boot linux
3)Use program "gparted" to format drive.

If not, then use a burn a linux live cd or dvd, boot from cd or dvd, and use gparted to format drive.
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January 27, 2014 7:23:33 PM

I used gparted live to partition and format my slave drive ...... Now my pc won't boot to windows with the slave unhooked and USB drive out ...... Gives me ntldr missing ..... Error ...... How do I get it back to booting in windows again
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January 27, 2014 11:22:22 PM

If you have only a Windows PC to work with, there are two options (IIRC):
1. Get a software running on Windows that allows you to read/write and format Linux partitions
2. Download a Linux "live" distribution (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, whatever), and Unetbootin for Windows. Then put a flash drive into a USB port, run Unetbooting, and install Linux onto the flash drive.
Restart the PC and boot from USB drive (you may need to enter the BIOS to do that) into Linux - DON'T INSTALL !!!
Then connect the HDD you wish to format (I assume it is an external one, if not, have it installed before booting), go into the Linux menu and look for "disks" or "gparted". Run that, select the disk you wish to format (make tripple sure you got the correct one), and format it to ext2/ext3/ext4, whatever you need.

Is this for a media streamer / media tank?
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a b 5 Linux
January 27, 2014 11:38:56 PM

mike111 said:
I used gparted live to partition and format my slave drive ...... Now my pc won't boot to windows with the slave unhooked and USB drive out ...... Gives me ntldr missing ..... Error ...... How do I get it back to booting in windows again


It would appear that you formatted your windows drive by accident. Boot to linux again and see if windows is still there. If it is then you need a copy of windows XP install cd for your version of XP and do a boot repair. If it is not there and you have files you wish to save then you need to run testdisk. I'll walk you through it when you tell me what you have. What ever you do do not write to that drive if you don't see windows while booted to the linux disk.

Seriously, to install linux put the drive back in the original computer, not your windows one, and boot to the dvd or flash installer for linux (it would help if you told us which one you have). At this point your hard drive isn't involved and how it is or isn't formatted has no bearing. Install linux. It will do the formatting itself unless the drive is damaged.

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January 28, 2014 12:03:33 AM

There is only 1 pc that's my windows pc ..... I was trying to format a slave I had hooked to it for use in another machine .... Not pc ..... An arcade machine running a Linux based hdd..... I needed a Linux based hdd to repair the arcade and install the software onto it after that machine saw the drive it wouldn't see it formatted as a windows drive........ Please hold my hand and walk me through the step by step of repairing the windows machine..... There's tons n tons of stuff on there that would be a an absolute disaster to loose .......
Thanks
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January 28, 2014 12:17:07 AM

stillblue said:
mike111 said:
I used gparted live to partition and format my slave drive ...... Now my pc won't boot to windows with the slave unhooked and USB drive out ...... Gives me ntldr missing ..... Error ...... How do I get it back to booting in windows again


It would appear that you formatted your windows drive by accident. Boot to linux again and see if windows is still there. If it is then you need a copy of windows XP install cd for your version of XP and do a boot repair. If it is not there and you have files you wish to save then you need to run testdisk. I'll walk you through it when you tell me what you have. What ever you do do not write to that drive if you don't see windows while booted to the linux disk.

Seriously, to install linux put the drive back in the original computer, not your windows one, and boot to the dvd or flash installer for linux (it would help if you told us which one you have). At this point your hard drive isn't involved and how it is or isn't formatted has no bearing. Install linux. It will do the formatting itself unless the drive is damaged.



I have an xp disk here along with the usb flash with the partition software on it....... im ready when you are please hold my hand through this its a little greek to me. Im computer literate but not when its this deep
Thanks I have tried a few things through the repair console and alot if the commands I give say access denied....... As the XP cd is starting it never asks me to log in as admin ... how do we get around this ???

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a b 5 Linux
January 28, 2014 12:31:15 AM

Boot to your linux installer. It really would help if you tell me what you have.
Under files you should see the windows drive. Do you?
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January 28, 2014 7:39:40 PM

stillblue said:
Boot to your linux installer. It really would help if you tell me what you have.
Under files you should see the windows drive. Do you?


Im at the machine now, not sure how to look at files through the installer , this is all a first for me using this
.......if you can walk me thruogh step by step what you need me to do so you know what I have Ill be happy to get you that info
thanks
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a b 5 Linux
January 28, 2014 11:24:06 PM

I still need to know what linux you have. Makes it easier to do this.
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January 29, 2014 10:31:50 AM

I don't have Linux on that machine at all I just have Gparted on a USB thumb drive when the pc booted from that is when it got all messed up
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