----- Original Message -----
From: "Todd Cary" todd@aristesoftware.com To: "CentOS mailing list" centos@centos.org Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 3:34:54 PM Subject: [CentOS] Formatting an external USB drive
I have an external USB drive that was formatted with NTFS and I want to use it to backup some files from my Centos 5.5 system.
When I check my documentation, I am not certain of the best way to do the formatting.
Suggestions welcomed....
Todd
-- Ariste Software Petaluma, CA 94952
CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Use fdisk as root. Before plugging the drive in type "fdisk -l" to get a listing of drives already attached. Plug the drive in and after a minute type "fdisk -l" to see the new drive listed. It will be something like /dev/sdX where X is the next letter in the order. to set the drive up type "fdisk /dev/sdX". To clear the partition table type o and hit return and then type w and hit return. Now type "fdisk /dev/sdX" again. Type n and hit return. Type p and hit return. Type 1 and hit return. Hit return twice more to use the whole disk. Type w and hit return to finish. To format it type "mkfs.ext3 -L usb-disk /dev/sdX1" and hit return to format the partition as ext3. Create a directory to mount the disk to "mkdir /backup-disk" and then mount it "mount LABEL=usb-disk /backup-disk". To have it auto mount at boot edit the /etc/fstab file and add.
LABEL=usb-disk /backup-disk ext3 defaults 0 0
David.