Format A Compact Flash Drive While Mounted

[SadaraX]

I have a compact flash drive that I use in a card reader. My system cannot see the card if it is not mounted. But I need to reformat the card from fat16 to ext2. However I cannot format a mounted partion or device. Any ideas?

I am trying to install debian onto my Zaurus 3100, but I just cannot get this CF card formated right. And without ext2, I cannot copy the files extract from this:

http://www.pocketworkstation.org/files/zau...n-big-v0.18.tgz

And follow the instructions here:
http://www.pocketworkstation.org/files/zau...n-big-v0.18.tgz

Can someone help me?

[lardman]

My system cannot see the card if it is not mounted

Is this because the card-reader shuts down when you umount the card?

Try formatting it on the Zaurus.


Si

[jbruno]

My system cannot see the card if it is not mounted

Is this because the card-reader shuts down when you umount the card?

Try formatting it on the Zaurus.


Si
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It should work if you do this with the card inserted:

# su
# umount /mnt/card
# mkfs.ext2 /dev/mmcda1

Then you can remove and reinsert the card and it should be formatted as ext2.

[Greg2]

It should work if you do this with the card inserted:

# su
# umount /mnt/card
# mkfs.ext2 /dev/mmcda1

Then you can remove and reinsert the card and it should be formatted as ext2.

This is a bit misleading, you should change the partition type 'before' reformatting with a different file system.

@SadaraX
Here's the instructions:
https://www.oesf.org/index.php?title=Step-b...ing_for_newbies

Greg