Formatting external HDD in EXT3 format

stokesd3 · 06-01-2009, 10:01 PM

Hi all. I understand that I need to format my external HDD partition in EXT3 format for transferring files >4Gb (as EXT2 is currently not supported on the HDR) but am still not clear on how this can be done on Vista (I don't use Linux at all and would like to avoid if possible). I've installed the tool at Ext2 IFS For Windows but am guessing this is only useful for accessing existing EXT3 partitions rather than creating new ones. Any (easy) ideas on this would be appreciated cheers

limblee · 06-01-2009, 10:04 PM

Use the Linux Boot CD such as gparted:-
GParted -- Live CD/USB/PXE/HD

Using Windows apps to create Linux filesystems on HDD is not the best way and has caused problems for quite a few. Simply burn the CD and boot from it as opposed to your normal HDD with Windows on it. Then nav to the ext HDD and format it to ext3.

stokesd3 · 06-01-2009, 10:07 PM

Whoah that was quick cheers. So this is the only reliable way people are aware of? Surprised there isn't a vista app somewhere...

limblee · 06-01-2009, 10:08 PM

Too unreliable via Windows OS

stokesd3 · 06-01-2009, 10:10 PM

So it's only needed for formatting the partition the first time I take it. I just need to use the tool I mentioned to assign a drive letter and then access the drive as normal in Vista? Out of interest does Linux natively support fat32 which is why Humax chose to support that but not NTFS?

grahamlthompson · 07-01-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stokesd3

So it's only needed for formatting the partition the first time I take it. I just need to use the tool I mentioned to assign a drive letter and then access the drive as normal in Vista? Out of interest does Linux natively support fat32 which is why Humax chose to support that but not NTFS?

Linux supports fat 16, 32, ext 2 and ext 3 and ntfs. Humax chose fat32 because the fat fs details are open source. ntfs which also supports large files is not documented by microsoft and unless reverse engineered would have to be licensed from Microsoft.

You can't access the drive normally in windows without special drivers. There is a problem with all such drivers I have tested. To read a ext3 the drive has to be unmounted under Linux first. The foxsat does not unmount the drive so linux is required to unmount the drive before windows can read it. Once booted into linux to do this you might just as well copy the data to a ntfs partition which windows can read.

stokesd3 · 07-01-2009, 5:04 PM

Managed to format ok using the Linux GUI mentioned, copied the file from the HDR and mounted the partition in bash shell so I can see the file ok. I take it I have to mount my NTFS filesystem as well to copy it over. However I'm reluctant to do this as it is my Vista boot partition and obviously don't want to mess it up! Any ideas thanks.

grahamlthompson · 07-01-2009, 5:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stokesd3

Managed to format ok using the Linux GUI mentioned, copied the file from the HDR and mounted the partition in bash shell so I can see the file ok. I take it I have to mount my NTFS filesystem as well to copy it over. However I'm reluctant to do this as it is my Vista boot partition and obviously don't want to mess it up! Any ideas thanks.

If its an external drive you have to mount it yes but an internal one should be there at boot up just like in windows. In the gui its a drag and drop operation same as windows. The GUI should have a drives files and folders window just like windows file explorer

stokesd3 · 07-01-2009, 5:33 PM

Not sure if I'm being a bit dim here - probably! In the GParted GUI there doesn't appear to be any form of file explorer so not sure where I can drag and drop.

If it's not necessary to mount my C drive what directory do I copy to as it has to be mounted to specify one doesn't it? Tried mounting my NTFS partition on /vista but when I tried copying from the EXT3 partition it just says permission denied. Tried this with an NTFS partition on my external HDD as well. Finally, how do you specify filenames with spaces in bash - quotation marks?

In summary I mounted /dev/sda2 on /vista and /dev/sdb2 on /humax

Then tried cp /humax/* /vista

grahamlthompson · 07-01-2009, 5:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stokesd3

Not sure if I'm being a bit dim here - probably! In the GParted GUI there doesn't appear to be any form of file explorer so not sure where I can drag and drop.

If it's not necessary to mount my C drive what directory do I copy to as it has to be mounted to specify one doesn't it? Tried mounting my NTFS partition on /vista but when I tried copying from the EXT3 partition it just says permission denied. Tried this with an NTFS partition on my external HDD as well. Finally, how do you specify filenames with spaces in bash - quotation marks?

In summary I mounted /dev/sda2 on /vista and /dev/sdb2 on /humax

Then tried cp /humax/* /vista

Make yourself a slax boot up cd (this has a file explorer gui)

Slax: your pocket operating system

stokesd3 · 07-01-2009, 5:55 PM

That works a treat thanks :-)

Redmitsu · 09-05-2009, 6:59 AM

Use Paragon Partition Manager - easy peasy.

celsius · 10-05-2009, 2:44 AM

One tip:

If you happen to have a NAS such as QNAP(many people now have), you can connect the HD to the NAS and format in ext3.
You can also access the contents this way instead of installing ext drivers in Windows.

2pods · 14-05-2009, 8:38 PM

I suspected I might be able to format the disk on the QNAP, but I didn't think about the obvious (but not to me apparently) benefits of file transfers - doh !

b1978 · 15-05-2009, 7:59 AM

Slightly related question for when I get my box (should be in stock at Richer Sound today)

What about compatibility with Mac?
How do I ensure a memory stick works? How do I format it??

Thanks for your help.

wellsyke · 15-05-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1978

Slightly related question for when I get my box (should be in stock at Richer Sound today)

What about compatibility with Mac?
How do I ensure a memory stick works? How do I format it??

I have a FAT32 formatted USB stick that works fine with the HDR and my macs. FAT32 limits files to 4GB (1hr SD ~ 1.5Gig).
If you need to copy larger files try MacFuse and the ext3 filesystem (I'm looking in to this).

weckart · 23-05-2009, 7:51 AM

As an alternative to MacFuse, Paragon has read/write Mac drivers for NTFS and EXT3, which work a little faster.

ExtFS for Mac OS X - Overview

No more barriers between Windows and Mac®

MRPJD · 18-03-2011, 4:13 PM

This thread is way over my head- faaar too technical for me

Is there a simple way in which I can convert files into a format that can be loaded onto a 16gb sdhc (series 6) card and then just stick it in the front of the box?

Ta

MRPJD