I can't format disk in USB floppy drive
I need to low-level format floppies with an external usb floppy drive in ubuntu 10.04 (or later) server.
I have tried the tools that come with util-linux-ng, and contain (specifically) fdformat.
Unfortunately these tools are written to use /dev/fd* devices, and not /dev/sd* that is used with the usb floppy drives I have on hand.
Alternatives to using the tools would be appreciated (note, the computers I have at my disposal do not have floppy connectors on the main board, so please don't recommend using a "real" floppy drive).
for example, I know dd works to zero the drive, but I suspect I need a copy of a working, blank formatted floppy as the if= parameter. I have my doubts this would be a robust, ongoing solution for actually writing out the tracks on the floppy.
the answers are not at:How can I get a USB floppy drive to work?How to format a USB or external drive?...and lots of others
23 Answers
The fdutils web site refers to for usb floppy drives.
3Try mtools. apt-get install mtools
Edit the /etc/mtools.conf file to have one of the drive letters point at your usb floppy drive. For me the usb floppy was /dev/sdg (Use dmesg to determine this.)
# # Linux floppy drives
#drive a: file="/dev/fd0" exclusive
drive a: file="/dev/sdg" exclusiveThen mformat a:
mformat a:
2Have you tried gparted as the root (sudo) user? I use this tool daily for all kinds of drives yet I a floppy - I have not.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gparted
sudo gpartedLook to the top right to find your drive. If Linux can mount it - Gparted should be able to format it!
1
