[Fixed] How to Format a Disk on Ubuntu: A Comprehensive Guide

Formatting storage disks is a routine task for Ubuntu users, and it's essential to know how to format disks in Ubuntu effortlessly. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on two methods to format disks in Ubuntu. Firstly, we'll briefly explore the top five file systems suitable for Ubuntu. Keep reading.

[Ubuntu Disk Format] What is the Best File System for Ubuntu?

Understanding the file system to employ is crucial when beginning with Ubuntu. It aids in organizing your files, data, and maximizing your computer's performance. In this section, we will explore five file systems that are ideal for Ubuntu. You can select your preferred option from these based on your needs.

1. Ext4 (Fourth-Extended File System)

Extended File System 4 (Ext4) is the default file system for Ubuntu. If you're new to Ubuntu and seeking a user-friendly file system, Ext4 is ideal for you. Compared to its predecessors, Ext4 is an enhanced version offering larger volume support and an improved defragmentation mechanism. You can also utilize a tool like Partition Master Linux to learn how to easily format or partition Ext4 on Ubuntu.

One notable feature that sets Ext4 apart is its enhanced reading capabilities and faster load times. Hence, it would be ideal to choose Ext4 due to these advantages.

2. Btrfs

B-tree File System (Btrfs) is exceptional for reading and writing large volumes of files and databases. This file system outperforms Ext4 in the long run due to its adaptability. It boasts unique features such as:

Enhanced snapshot functionality Drive pooling Defragmentation through online networks

Another aspect that makes Btrfs the optimal file system for Ubuntu is its ability to perform effectively on large storage capacities. This sets it apart from the Ext4 file system. Despite being labeled as an unstable file system, Btrfs is continually receiving updates and enhancements, making it a consideration for use as a default choice.

3. ReiserFS stands for Reiser File System, which is a type of file system used in Linux operating systems. It was developed by Hans Reiser and his team, offering efficient performance and space utilization. ReiserFS is known for its reliability and ability to handle large volumes of small files effectively. However, it has been succeeded by newer file systems like ext4 and Btrfs in recent years.

< a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReiserFS" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ReiserFS is an excellent alternative to Ext4. Similar to Ext4, it is stable and offers enhanced features compared to earlier Ext versions. Furthermore, ReiserFS boasts an efficient storage management system than many older file systems. The only drawback with ReiserFS is that its development has ceased, meaning no further updates are provided.

4. XFS

XFS is another file system that excels on Ubuntu. It shares some similarities with Ext4, such as delayed allocation and decreased fragmentation. A significant downside of XFS is that it may not perform optimally with smaller files. Nevertheless, when compared to other file systems, it is particularly well-suited for handling larger files.

5. ZFS

Sun Microsystems is the company that developed ZFS. Distinguishing itself from other file systems, ZFS incorporates a built-in volume manager. It is regarded as an enhancement over Btrfs. Key features of ZFS include advanced volume management, snapshot capabilities, and disk pooling. Thanks to its sophisticated Raid-Z feature, ZFS enables effortless recovery from hard drive failures.

People typically use this file system as the default for managing containers in Ubuntu.

[Ubuntu Format Disk] How to Format a Disk in Ubuntu

To format a disk on Ubuntu, you can either perform a quick format or utilize the GParted tool. Both approaches are efficient in erasing the disk and preparing it for storing new files. This section will outline the process for both methods.

• Perform a Quick Format
• Use GParted

Perform a Quick Format

The first method to format a disk on Ubuntu is by performing a quick format using the following steps:

Step 1. Open the Disks program on your device.

Step 2. Click on the disk that you want to format.

Step 3. Following that, click on the Gear button and select "Format."

Step 4. Under the "Erase" section, click on the dropdown and choose whether you want to overwrite existing data.

Step 5. Under "Type," select your preferred file system, such as "NTFS," "FAT," or "Ext4."

Step 6. Give your format volume a name.

Step 7. Click on the "Format" button and confirm your selection. The disk formatting process will then commence. This will take a varying amount of time, depending on the size of your drive.

Step 8. After formatting is complete, click on the "Mount" button beneath your volumes graph. This mounts the partition, making it accessible for storage.

Step 9. Click on the displayed link to open the formatted disk in your file browser.

Use GParted

If formatting your disk via a quick format fails, you can opt for the second method, which involves using GParted. To format your disk with GParted, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open the Terminal.

Step 2. Enter the following command and press Enter to install GParted.

             sudo apt-get install gparted This command installs the GParted partition editor on a Linux system that uses the Advanced Package Tool (APT) package manager, such as Ubuntu or Debian. The sudo command is used to run the command with superuser privileges, which is necessary for installing system software.

Step 3. Press Y to continue.

Step 4. Type gparted on the Dash to open the GParted Partition Editor.

Step 5. Move to the top-right corner and click on the dropdown menu to choose the drive you want to format.

Step 6. Next, click on "Devices" and then "Create Partition Table."

Step 7. In the pop-up message, click "Apply." This will erase all data on the selected drive.

Step 8. At the top of your screen, click on "Partition" and select "New."

Step 9. Choose how much space you want the new partition to use.

Step 10. Next, select a file system for your partition.

Step 11. Enter a name for your partition in the "Label" field.

Step 12. After finishing the partition configuration, click the "Add" button.

Step 13. GParted also lets you resize a partition. To do this, right-click on the partition and select "Resize/Move."

Step 14. To save the modifications you've made, click on the apply checkmark button located in the upper section of the screen.

Step 15. When the formatting is complete, the newly formatted drive will appear.

Conclusion

Ubuntu's top five file systems consist of Ext4, BtrFS, ReiserFS, XFS, and ZFS. Ext4 is ideal for beginners on Ubuntu due to its enhanced reading capabilities and faster boot times. For a file system that accommodates large drives, BtrFS is a suitable choice. ReiserFS serves as a reliable alternative to Ext4, offering stability along with advanced functionalities.

XFS is another excellent choice, although it doesn't support smaller files. Conversely, the ZFS file system distinguishes itself due to its integrated volume management feature. To format a disk on Ubuntu, you can either 1) execute a quick format or 2) perform a detailed format using GParted.

If the quick format doesn't work as expected, GParted is always a reliable alternative. Although its process involves more detailed steps, using GParted is an assured method to format your disk in Ubuntu.

Bonus Tip: Partitioning and Mounting a Hard Drive on Ubuntu Partitioning and mounting a hard drive on Ubuntu involves dividing the drive into sections called partitions and then making those partitions accessible to the operating system. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. **Boot into Ubuntu Live Session:** First, you'll need an Ubuntu installation USB or DVD. Boot your computer from it and select "Try Ubuntu" without installing. 2. **Open GParted:** Once in the live session, open GParted, a partition manager tool. You can find it in the Activities search or by running `gparted` in a terminal. 3. **Check Disk Layout:** In GParted, select the hard drive you want to partition and mount. Make sure to identify it correctly (e.g., /dev/sda, /dev/sdb, etc.). Look for unallocated space if you want to create new partitions. 4. **Create Partitions:** - Right-click on the unallocated space and choose "New" to create a new partition. - Choose the file system type (e.g., ext4 for a standard Ubuntu partition). - Allocate the desired size for the partition. - Click "Add" and then "Apply" to confirm the changes. 5. **Mount the Partition:** After creating partitions, you need to mount them so Ubuntu can access them. Open a terminal and run: ```bash sudo mkdir /mnt/mynewpartition ``` Replace `/mnt/mynewpartition` with a suitable directory name. 6. **Assign a Mount Point:** Find the partition's device name (e.g., `/dev/sda1`) in GParted or by running `sudo fdisk -l`. Then, mount the partition: ```bash sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/mynewpartition ``` 7. **Make Mount Permanent:** To ensure the partition mounts automatically after every reboot, add an entry to `/etc/fstab`. Run: ```bash sudo nano /etc/fstab ``` Add the following line at the end of the file, replacing `/dev/sda1` with your actual partition name and `/mnt/mynewpartition` with the chosen mount point: ``` UUID= /mnt/mynewpartition defaults 0 0 ``` Find the UUID of your partition using `sudo blkid`. 8. **Save and Exit:** Press `Ctrl+X`, then `Y`, and finally `Enter` to save changes and exit the editor. 9. **Test the Mount:** Reboot the system and check if the partition is mounted correctly: ```bash df -h ``` Now, you've successfully partitioned and mounted a hard drive on Ubuntu. Remember that these steps are for a fresh installation or live session; if you're working on an installed system, you might need to take additional precautions to avoid data loss.

In addition to understanding how to format a disk on Ubuntu, it's equally essential to grasp the process of partitioning and mounting a hard drive. As an extra helpful tip, we've outlined the steps for accomplishing this as follows:

Step 1. Remove old partitions from your hard drive using the command:

             `sudo fdisk -l`

Step 2. Open GParted.

Step 3. Delete old partitions.

Step 4. Create a new GPT partition table using the command: ``` sudo gpt create -f /dev/sda ``` Replace `/dev/sda` with the appropriate disk identifier for your system. This command will initialize an empty GPT partition table on the specified disk.

              sudo gdisk /dev/sda This command translates to: "Run the 'gdisk' utility with superuser privileges on the device '/dev/sda' in Linux."

Step 5. Type n, followed by "1" to create a new partition.

Step 6. Accept all subsequent prompts.

Step 7. Next, type w. This will write all the changes to your drive—press "Y" to continue.

Step 8. Format a previously created partition by pasting the following command:

             `sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda1`

Step 9. Next, paste the following command to obtain the UUID of the drive you want to mount:

             `sudo blkid`

Step 10. Indicate the location to mount your drive using the following command:

               _sudo nano /etc/fstab_

Step 11. Create a mount point using the following command (replace "mount_point" with the correct mount point location for your system): ``` mkdir /mount/point ``` Make sure to replace "/mount/point" with the actual desired mount location, for example, "/home/user/new_drive".

sudo mkdir /mnt/"mount_point"

Step 12. Finally, paste the following command to mount the hard drive:

               sudo mount -a This command in English is:                sudo mount -a This command is used to mount all file systems specified in the /etc/fstab configuration file as a superuser.