Hi there I’ve just this week got my Start9 up and running and want to perform a backup to a new 1tB external hard drive that I have purchased for the job.
The only problem is it is formatted as exFAT and it seems I need to reformat it to be EXT4.
Can anybody recommend a safe reliable tool that I can download on Windows (I am on Windows 10 version 22H2) that will allow me to reformat the drive?
Hi! Welcome to sovereign computing. Most people just boot into a desktop Linux distro, like Ubuntu, and use the built in disk manager. There are a few Windows specific tools out there, that can do it. The only one that I have actually used, is the free version of MiniTool Partition Wizard. But I don’t know enough about it’s reliability to recommend it specifically.
Many thanks for your help. I’ve actually got a pretty old Raspberry Pi somewhere that I bought for my daughter many years back. If I can find it and remember how to use it that might possibly be able to do the job too correct?
Your windows machine should be able to boot into a live Linux distro, such as Ubuntu just fine. You can use a tool like Balena Etcher, or Rufus to create a bootable Ubuntu flash drive. You’ll need to figure out how to access the boot menu for your specific machine. For example, on a Dell it’s F12 on power up, and on HP if F8 or F9. I think Asus, and Lenovo use Esc. If it’s a laptop, media keys might be enabled, so you might also have to hold down the fn key in order for the F keys to work.
Many thanks again Rexter. I did actually manage to fire the old Raspberry Pi 3 up and did a fdisk search for devices but for some reason it wasnt picking up on the 1tB external hard drive. So I’ve now downloaded the Ubuntu .iso file and balenaetcher but have just realised I need a USB memory stick for the flashing larger than any I have so will need to wait until the 16gB memory stick arrives which I’ve ordered before attempting the next stage…
If the 1TB drive doesn’t have it’s own power source, I’ll bet the Pi 3 can’t power it properly.
If you know how to use fdisk, Damn Small Linux can fit on a 1GB USB drive. Just be careful to not erase your Windows drive/partitions! Command line tools can be dangerous. Double, even triple check everything before pressing enter.
Hi Rexter, I’m finally getting around to installing Ubuntu using the flash I just made onto the USB memory stick.
I’ve booted from the USB and am working through the Ubuntu install and setup and gotten as far as the page where I need to choose how I want to install Ubuntu… I have 3 options - (i) install alongside Windows Boot Manager, (ii) erase disk and install Ubuntu and (iii) manual installation (which I think I can rule out as it is for advanced users). Option (ii) sounds scary as if I may lose everything?? Can you advise?
Follow up to message a few minutes ago… I am thinking now the erase disk and install is referring to the USB drive not my hard drive actually… i which case maybe I should be going with that option?
You don’t need to install Ubuntu. Just run the disk manager from the live desktop environment. Again, just be careful that you don’t erase the wrong drive.
Nope. It’s talking about wiping out Windows, and replacing with Ubuntu!
Actually I had just gone back and clicked the ‘Try Ubuntu’ instead of Install Ubuntu and have just been in the command screen searching for this external hard drive I bought but no luck. I can identify pretty much every other drive but the 1tB external is not there. It is powered up with the power light on but not locatable (even in file manager)… I assume it is faulty… great 