two questions about using "Disks" utility to partition a flash drive

sgosnell · 05-14-2015, 09:29 AM

The difference between deleting the partition and just formatting it is that the partition stays if you format it, but it's gone if you delete it. You can then add as many partitions as you like (except that with MBR you can only have 4 primary partitions, and will have to make an extended partition to hold logical partitions if you need more than 4) of whatever size you need. You can resize the partition that holds your data down to 8GB, then add 3 more 8GB partitions if you like, or delete the existing partition and add 4 8GB partitions, your choice. If you use gparted, this is very easy, and you have a GUI that shows you what is happening. Gparted is by far the most efficient, and easiest, way to do all this. Just install it from the repositories and run it. If you don't want to run gparted, you're going to have a much more difficult time with this.

Gregg Bell · 05-15-2015, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelk

See my post #3 and add the additional 2 new partitions...

It really is not complicated.

Thanks. You're right it's not complicated. Only thing is you wrote:

Code:

Backup data
Delete original partition
Create smaller partition 1
Create new partition 2
Format filesystem 1
Format filesystem 2
Restore data to partition 1

But in "Disks" when you create a new partition you have to format it at the same time.

Gregg Bell · 05-15-2015, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgosnell

The difference between deleting the partition and just formatting it is that the partition stays if you format it, but it's gone if you delete it. You can then add as many partitions as you like (except that with MBR you can only have 4 primary partitions, and will have to make an extended partition to hold logical partitions if you need more than 4) of whatever size you need. You can resize the partition that holds your data down to 8GB, then add 3 more 8GB partitions if you like, or delete the existing partition and add 4 8GB partitions, your choice. If you use gparted, this is very easy, and you have a GUI that shows you what is happening. Gparted is by far the most efficient, and easiest, way to do all this. Just install it from the repositories and run it. If you don't want to run gparted, you're going to have a much more difficult time with this.

Thanks sgosnell. Great explanation. And I just figured out "Disks"! But you make Gparted sound great. I'll give it a try.

Okay, I got it. I don't know, "Disks" looks easier on the surface, but the resizing of Gparted appeals to me. I know there's a lot of tutorials on Gparted so I'll check those out. (And I have the Gparted manual.)

EDDY1 · 05-15-2015, 03:45 AM

Both partitioners are great,if you know how to calculate the size of MB's to GB's, the only thing that's better with gparted is the fact that you can click on partition & slide it to the size you want(newbie friendly).
But if Disks is anything like Gnome Disk-utility it will automatically format & burn an iso for you to a usb drive.

fireboy52 · 05-15-2015, 10:34 AM

very nice sharing.

Gregg Bell · 05-16-2015, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDDY1

Both partitioners are great,if you know how to calculate the size of MB's to GB's, the only thing that's better with gparted is the fact that you can click on partition & slide it to the size you want(newbie friendly).
But if Disks is anything like Gnome Disk-utility it will automatically format & burn an iso for you to a usb drive.

Yeah, they both have their appeal. Seems like Gparted does more things though.