how to format

[yaswanth4b7]

The command used to format a new partition /dev/hda6 with ext3 file system (1 block = 1024 bytes, inode = 512 bytes)?

[Lakshmipathi]

Use mkfs.ext3 and check mkfs.ext3 --help option.

[devils casper]

Are you sure its /dev/hda6? hdX device name has been discontinued a long time back. Execute fdisk -l command with root privileges to check exact device name assigned to your Hard disk.

[scampuzano]

Are you sure its /dev/hda6? hdX device name has been discontinued a long time back. Execute fdisk -l command with root privileges to check exact device name assigned to your Hard disk.

I have to make a clarification. The /dev/hdX device name has not been discontinued as that notation belongs to IDE Disks, by the other side, SATA disks use /dev/sdX notation.

So, you should use the "mkfs.ext3 /dev/hdX" command if you have IDE disks, or change the parameter for /dev/sdX if you have SATA disks.

[devils casper]

I have to make a clarification. The /dev/hdX device name has not been discontinued as that notation belongs to IDE Disks, by the other side, SATA disks use /dev/sdX notation.

iirc, Latest kernels don't use separate notations for IDE or SATA disks now. sd is being used for all types of disks.

I have a few old machines have IDE disks running Debian. Latest kernels ( I think 2.6.x onwards) have assigned sd device names to the disks in those machines.

[oz]

Latest kernels ( I think 2.6.x onwards) have assigned sd device names to the disks in those machines.

That's the way I remember it as well. I guess if someone were to be running a really old kernel, the hdX would still apply.

[hazel]

It depends on what disk driver you have selected. The PATA/SATA driver can drive both SATA and IDE disks but always gives them sd names. I think all stock kernels use this now. But if you build your own kernel and select the old IDE driver, you get hd names.