to dirprocess: format disks                     rev 7 dec 2021

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➽  How to: 
  
  ......................... 
  * cli

     // 1. locate the drive:
     <tt>$ df -h</tt>
     // The terminal prints out a list of all mounted partitions and
     //   relevant information: used space, available space, 
     //   used space percentage, and the path.
     // Locate the USB in the list and find the corresponding device.
     //   It will be something like /dev/sdb1
     // If you are unsure of the drive designation, 
     //   unplug the usb drive temporarily and runn the <tt>df</tt>
     //   command again. The device that is now gone from the list
     //   is your USB device.

     Other commands for listing USB:
       <a>https://linuxopsys.com/topics/list-usb-devices-in-linux</a>

     // 2. format the drive. CHECK IS sdb1 or what?
     <tt>$ sudo mkfs.vfat /dev/sdb1</tt>

     // 3. verify the formating;
     <tt>$ sudo fsck /dev/sdb1</tt>
     // example output:
     //   (no files indicates successful formatting)
     <tt>fsck from util-linux 2.34
     fsck.fat 4.1 (2017-01024)
     /dev/sdb1: 0 files, 1/500002 clusters</tt>

    More info:
    - <a>https://phoenixnap.com/kb/linux-format-usb</a>

    More tools:
    - mtools - utilities to access DOS disks in unix.

  
  ......................... 
  * ubuntu gui - file manager? sidebar?
      - right-click on mounted drive,
          select overwrite and format type
      - will ask for confirmation
      - will unmount; need to be out of drive dir.
      - doesn't show any indicator of processing.
          i only knew something was happening because
          the drive had a light blinking.
      - 8gb overwrite took ~12 min

  
  ......................... 
  * ubuntu Disk utility

     - See in sidebar pane, or type 'disk' in Application menu search.
     - left pane shows drives, right pane shows details of each drive.
     - select drive, then click on small gear icon below 'Volumes' graphic.
     - select 'Format Partition'
       - give drive a name if you want
       - Erase - on
       - Type - for use with all systems and devices (FAT)
     - Popup - click Format
         will show progress bar and info.


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➽ sources: 

  * How to format USB drives in Linux
      Good clear how-tos.
      <a>https://phoenixnap.com/kb/linux-format-usb</a>



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begin 7 dec 2021
Category: disks
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