A free windows tool to create ext3/4 filesystem

[ivanhelguera]

Hello,
I have a win 7 laptop that does not boot from usb. The idea is to boot 'frugal' via unetbootin, and then to instal Mint 8.
Is there a soft that would let me create ext 3 FS from windows? the partitioning tools won't let format the expty space (I do wander if i'll be able to write to the empty partitions...)
Thanks,
IH

[reed9]

I don't know if windows has a partitioning tool that will create ext3/4 partitions. I would recommend using a live linux CD, like Parted Magic, to partition your drive.

[ivanhelguera]

The laptop boots neither from CD nor USB pendrive. The USB floppy is my hope.

[reed9]

Does your BIOS support booting from a network?

Linux Today - Tutorial: Boot Linux Over A Network

EDIT: Assuming you have a second machine you can set up as a boot server.

[ivanhelguera]

Does your BIOS support booting from a network?

I ended up booting the excellent Plop Boot manager from a floppy. It's a small linux based bootmanager, whoch lets you boot then from a pendrive.
Thank you for your advice! I must say that this network option was a bit scary.