MX Linux Forum

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2018 12:47 am**

I don't know whether this can be done, but if it could it would be useful.

I am simply seeking to format a USB drive, but I have been left stumped.

Would it be possible to format a USB drive via Thunar's right click menu? When you right click on the drive you would be given the option of "format drive," if this is selected you are asked "are you sure?", and if you select yes you are given formatting options. If you change your mind you would be given the option to cancel.

As an alternative, could format USB be included in MX tools?

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2018 1:12 am**

I believe GParted is the conventional means of formatting a USB, although this might be a small leap for non-Linux users to adapt to.

As for a utility, perhaps there is a script or other means that bypasses GParted? It may not integrate with Thunar though, I suspect, but be a stand alone widget or similar. While GParted is powerful and hence a little slow to achieve such a result, it does have many other advantages, GUI being one.

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2018 3:50 am**

Gparted is perfectly capable of doing this. Make absolutely certain you have the correct drive selected, and set the File System to FAT32.

If you find that unsuitable, the Linux Mint utility to do this has been imported by the developers. To install it using the Package Installer, select the Full App Catalog tab, then the MX Test Repo. Search for mintstick (not altogether intuitive!) check the box to select it, and click Install. You will find it in the Accessories section of the Whisker menu.

The Mint application to write an ISO or image file to USB will also be installed, but for MX and antiX live USB installs you should use the Live USB Maker tool.

Chris

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2018 6:45 pm**

Thanks for the info. I had a look at mintstick and decided that even though it looked the simpler option I wasn't impressed with the 17MB file size. I found Gparted, and after a few minutes of head scratching I got my USB drive formatted - thanks!

The Gparted method is really obscure, I would never have figured it out without being pointed in the right direction. It would be really useful if formatting a USB stick could be done via a simple MX tool which requires only a few mouse clicks to get things sorted.

Posted: **Thu Jun 21, 2018 8:27 pm**

colin_b wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 6:45 pm Thanks for the info. I had a look at mintstick and decided that even though it looked the simpler option I wasn't impressed with the 17MB file size. I found Gparted, and after a few minutes of head scratching I got my USB drive formatted - thanks!

The Gparted method is really obscure, I would never have figured it out without being pointed in the right direction. It would be really useful if formatting a USB stick could be done via a simple MX tool which requires only a few mouse clicks to get things sorted.

Gparted is an awesome tool. You need to be careful with it and not touch any drive you don't want formatted, but once you get used to it then it will be second nature using Gparted :)

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 4:40 am**

colin_b:

The Gparted method is really obscure, I would never have figured it out without being pointed in the right direction. It would be really useful if formatting a USB stick could be done via a simple MX tool which requires only a few mouse clicks to get things sorted.

Linux has those "obscure" and "complicate" features which are commonly known but remain as they are. Example it took years for the Linux developers to accept an utility script which automatically detects the hardware and creates the xorg file. It was done manually. KNOPPIX did a major change in this regard by adding simple bash scripts to do the job... this is how live CD was created.

A file manager to format a USB stick with mouse click, may still take time. We don't want Gparted to become obsolete. :)

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:22 am**

colin_b wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 6:45 pm The Gparted method is really obscure, I would never have figured it out without being pointed in the right direction. It would be really useful if formatting a USB stick could be done via a simple MX tool which requires only a few mouse clicks to get things sorted.

Or you could just search the user manual for USB...

Chris

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:45 am**

The Manual does note Gparted can be used to format a USB in preparation for using Live USB Maker, although it may not be obvious to newer users that Gparted is in fact the Linux equivalent of right-click....format (USB device) in another world.

Since formatting of USB devices is a relatively common task, something like:

Format USB devices by using Gparted in MX Linux.Take care to select the appropriate device from the drop-down menu (top right)

might be added to the Manual in an appropriate location to anticipate a common search term and make it a little clearer that Gparted is there for this purpose (and others like partitioning). The current reference is somewhat indirect, I believe, for new users to appreciate.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:07 am**

Yep. Cuz I would not want to format my 32 gig permanent sd card in my chromebook with just a right click format this < without details >

Code: Select all

harry@biker:~
$ sudo blkid
/dev/sda1: LABEL="rootantiX" UUID="ea719934-26e3-4f25-af62-4f54438f456d" TYPE="ext4" PARTUUID="5a6d0bed-01"
/dev/mmcblk0p1: UUID="E10C-A032" TYPE="vfat" PARTUUID="0005e83f-01"
/dev/mmcblk0: PTUUID="0005e83f" PTTYPE="dos"

Like windows does.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:50 am**

I think GNOME Disks currently is the best because it's simple to use & doesn't recuire password.

Code: Select all

sudo apt install -y gnome-disk-utility

IMO, there's no need to make yet another tool just for this task (like Mint does) unless it's something integrated (Thunar plugin or option in some other MX tool).

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 12:51 pm**

Alt wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:50 am I think GNOME Disks currently is the best because it's simple to use & doesn't recuire password.
...

However, my modest experiences with the tool gnome-disk-utility were not very pleasant. I would advise against using this for formatting. The most problem was with USB formatting. Also the HD formatting was not very pleasant.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 1:50 pm**

fehlix wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 12:51 pm However, my modest experiences with the tool gnome-disk-utility were not very pleasant. I would advise against using this for formatting. The most problem was with USB formatting. Also the HD formatting was not very pleasant.

I wasn't going to say anything, but since you mentioned it I had problems with it as well. Won't touch it now. It ruined one usb stick for me.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:38 pm**

Judging from errors I recently had (broken USB, not by gnome-disk-utility) it uses internally standard "mkfs.something" utils. When did you guys used it?

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 4:28 pm**

Alt wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:38 pm Judging from errors I recently had (broken USB, not by gnome-disk-utility) it uses internally standard "mkfs.something" utils.

That's exactly the problem. It's not sufficient to run just mkfs.xxx.
You need to clear residual partition tabel information from the device, which includes some
residual usb-flags from with the first record. If you look into one of the
removable disk formating tools, you might get an impression that's not
as straight forward as it appears to be. And if you just clear the stick by a random-dd dump,
you might end-up having an unusal stick, which apears to be not usable anymore, at all.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:44 pm**

I got curious so I decided to give mintstick a try. I downloaded it from the test repo.

The download has two parts - and image writer and a USB formatter. The formatter makes it blissfully simple to format a USB stick - I completed the process without scratching my head once

Would it be possible to strip the image writer from the formatter to make an individual tool? It strikes me the formatter has the potential to be a really useful tool for folks who love simplicity.

usb_format2.png

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 7:21 pm**

colin_b wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:44 pm ..
Would it be possible to strip the image writer from the formatter to make an individual tool? It strikes me the formatter has the potential to be a really useful tool for folks who love simplicity.

You might have noticed a little bug within the version of mint-usb-formater we have on test-repo.

mint-stick.png

It just stays after formating, without showing the last "ready"-confirmation popup.
Without auto-open a user would never know, when the formating has finished.
This bug is fixed within latest version from mint.
So we would need to repack a newer version anyway, either with or without the mint-dd-writer,
if we want to get the fixed version, at all.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 7:30 pm**

Perhaps I'm missing something here.
Aren't all/most usb devices already formatted as fat32 so to be used on windows, linux, dvd players etc.
So, why a new tool to format as fat? Or if it is to format using a linux file format eg ext4 why not use gparted to do the job?

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:15 pm**

This might be just about the fairly ease and safe of use with such a tool, as it will show you only removable devices and will let you choose between fat, ntfs and ext4.
I'm reluctant to recommend to use power tools like Gparted to newbies.
It's too easy for inexpierienced user to destroy their data or system with gaparted kind of tools.
Such a safe and easy to use nanny-formater tool I would recommend for newbies.
We do have such protections build in into our live-usb-maker tools, but not yet into a simple formating tasks.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:28 pm**

fehlix wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 7:21 pm You might have noticed a little bug within the version of mint-usb-formater we have on test-repo.

Yes, I noticed it. I sat for a couple of minutes twiddling my thumbs wondering if it had done. When the USB light stopped flashing I tried copying some stuff onto it and it worked, and I must admit I did scratch my head then. The bug explains it.

anticapitalista wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 7:30 pm Perhaps I'm missing something here.
Aren't all/most usb devices already formatted as fat32 so to be used on windows, linux, dvd players etc.
So, why a new tool to format as fat? Or if it is to format using a linux file format eg ext4 why not use gparted to do the job?

My initial reason for looking to format a USB stick was I simply wanted to clear off an old version of MX off of it and start afresh. I used gparted to format the drive, but it is a power tool and it has the potential to trash your system if you're not careful. When I clicked the format button I closed my eyes and prayed that I'd done things right. Fortunately I had.

The USB formatter would eliminate this headache because it cannot trash the system. It is an all but foolproof way of formatting USB drives, and since it does fat32, ntfs and ext4 you can format the drive however you want. It would also make it a simple job to convert a fat32 drive to a ext4 one if required.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:52 pm**

Most usb creators will write over the old iso install without need to erase or reformat the usb first. I have used gnome-multi-writer in the past to put various iso's on usb sticks (you can just do a single usb stick despite the app's name). Mint and Ubuntu usb creators also will write over old installs on usb sticks. The nice thing about gnome-multi-writer is that it is in the debian stable repo.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:48 pm**

Spare a thought for Floppy discs.....

There was a utility that allowed a multi disc spanning archive to fit using a slightly larger formatting option, from memory.

I do think format options are something new Linux users might not consider much until the day they suddenly have a need. As mentioned above though, live USB maker tools do typically take care of things for you, regardless of the USB's previous state....most of the time. Disk checking is another side-issue I think MX covers, although I've only used it for a hdd. Kinda workshop spin territory perhaps?

So my take is that emphasis on Gparted in any intro or quick start tips, FAQ etc. would help. That said, if one installs Linux they 'might' already be familiar with Gparted in setting up their machine, pre-install. However, I recall using a tool in MS initially, when dual booting, although I've since dispensed with that option.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:52 pm**

KBD wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:52 pm Most usb creators will write over the old iso install without need to erase or reformat the usb first. I have used gnome-multi-writer in the past to put various iso's on usb sticks (you can just do a single usb stick despite the app's name). Mint and Ubuntu usb creators also will write over old installs on usb sticks. The nice thing about gnome-multi-writer is that it is in the debian stable repo.

Sure. You might just missed the point. A newbie wants his stick back, after having installed e.g. MX Linux,
- just a plain freshly formated data-stick. I explain him how to use gparted, and next day he calls me, he just has formated is hd with gparted, with just one click. And he ask me to help him to get MX Linux back, nice job

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:00 pm**

@ tascoast. Agree with you there, Gparted is a very useful multi-purpose tool when setting up disks and drives.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:00 pm**

fehlix wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:52 pm
KBD wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:52 pm Most usb creators will write over the old iso install without need to erase or reformat the usb first. I have used gnome-multi-writer in the past to put various iso's on usb sticks (you can just do a single usb stick despite the app's name). Mint and Ubuntu usb creators also will write over old installs on usb sticks. The nice thing about gnome-multi-writer is that it is in the debian stable repo.
Sure. You might just missed the point. A newbie wants his stick back, after having installed e.g. MX Linux,
- just a plain freshly formated data-stick. I explain him how to use gparted, and next day he calls me, he just has formated is hd with gparted, with just one click. And he ask me to help him to get MX Linux back, nice job

I agree this could happen. My recent 'teleinstall' was interesting. I skipped the creation of a swap file partition, relying upon the installer to do it, rather than direct old mate to open Gparted....
A simple format utility could create other undesirable outcomes, though perhaps having clearer directions on Gparted is, for the immediate term, desirable? It's very much 'new linux user' territory.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:16 pm**

tascoast wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:00 pm A simple format utility could create other undesirable outcomes, though perhaps having clearer directions on Gparted is, for the immediate term, desirable? It's very much 'new linux user' territory.

Well, this post is about formating USB drives. We have in Test-repo a newbie-proof usb formater in place. Gparted is not the right tool for new linux users just to format an usb stick. They could only destoy the stick but not the system with such a simplistic looking usb-formater. I would even not mention to newbies that they could use gparted to format usb sticks. Just give them a simple tool. As this is the most common questions I got ask from my newbies: "Can you make my stick usable again, as I can't use them anymore ..?"

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:21 pm**

GParted does have plenty of documentation, although it has not been updated for several years. Some simple directions for new users could be useful, will look at drafting
something.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:54 pm**

When I was a new user I found GParted feels clunky to use and it still does. It feels like you need to do an extra step that feels unnecessary to require that extra step. It does work well once you figure out how to use it. Clinking on Help does help. As for USB formatting I found formatting to FAT works the best because it will make the USB work on anything. I remember about a year back I formatted a USB to ext4 and when I plugged it into my laptop which had MX Linux on it with the HDD formatted to ext4 the USB couldn't be read. I reformatted the USB to FAT and it worked fine. Also when a USB is formatted to FAT and I add music on it, it works great in my 2017 Forester having hours of music that I like.

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:32 pm**

Mauser wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:54 pmIt does work well once you figure out how to use it.

You could say that about most things in life. Including how to use life itself!

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:51 pm**

sunrat wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 11:32 pm
Mauser wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:54 pmIt does work well once you figure out how to use it.
You could say that about most things in life. Including how to use life itself!

Lucky you because I mostly can't say that.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:14 am**

fehlix wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:16 pm We have in Test-repo a newbie-proof usb formater in place. Gparted is not the right tool for new linux users just to format an usb stick. They could only destoy the stick but not the system with such a simplistic looking usb-formater. I would even not mention to newbies that they could use gparted to format usb sticks. Just give them a simple tool. As this is the most common questions I got ask from my newbies: "Can you make my stick usable again, as I can't use them anymore ..?"

Agreed, totally! A nice simple point-and-click formatter is what a newbie needs, and what the mintstick application supplies. Newbie-proof, scared technophobic kid-proof.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 10:55 am**

fehlix wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:52 pm Sure. You might just missed the point. A newbie wants his stick back, after having installed e.g. MX Linux,
- just a plain freshly formated data-stick. I explain him how to use gparted, and next day he calls me, he just has formated is hd with gparted, with just one click. And he ask me to help him to get MX Linux back, nice job

That is a bit confusing lol!

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 11:48 am**

Agreed, Gparted is not the proper tool for simple cleanup.
I find Gparted simple and powerful, I use it a lot... but super overkill for a novice to use for cleanup.

Artim wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:14 am
fehlix wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:16 pm We have in Test-repo a newbie-proof usb formater in place. Gparted is not the right tool for new linux users just to format an usb stick. They could only destoy the stick but not the system with such a simplistic looking usb-formater. I would even not mention to newbies that they could use gparted to format usb sticks. Just give them a simple tool. As this is the most common questions I got ask from my newbies: "Can you make my stick usable again, as I can't use them anymore ..?"
Agreed, totally! A nice simple point-and-click formatter is what a newbie needs, and what the mintstick application supplies. Newbie-proof, scared technophobic kid-proof.

I have used MintStick a lot, simple and "kinda foolproof", unless an external USB drive is mounted... then OOPS!!

Gordon Cooper wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:21 pm GParted does have plenty of documentation, although it has not been updated for several years. Some simple directions for new users could be useful, will look at drafting
something.

FYI: Gparted versions in Debian as of 23-06-2018
Stretch and Buster have Version 0.25.0-1+b1
Sid has version 0.30.0-3
I have Sid on a couple machines, but have not noticed any differences.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 12:50 pm**

One thing that Mint 17.xxx and 18.xxx have is in Accessories, one tool is called ' USB Image Writer' and another called 'USB Stick Formatter', which are so easy to use and would be ideal for Fehlix's newbie. I don't want to knock MX as I love it and prefer it to those other distros, but these tools would really enhance MX in my opinion.

When you click on 'USB Stick Formatter' you get a box that pops up asking for your password, then you fill in the boxes of USB drive and what type of format you want, the only options offered are FAT 32 (default), NTFS or EXT 4. Dead simples!

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 12:59 pm**

I guess one app and do it well is not a lot of posters preferences here.

Hence why I stated I did not want something that destroys/formats a embedded usb drive or sd card by mistake.
Hence why I prefer gparted because it fits that one app and do it well druther that I have.

But. If included. I might or might not use it. We'll see I guess.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 1:03 pm**

turtlebay777 wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 12:50 pm One thing that Mint 17.xxx and 18.xxx have is in Accessories, one tool is called ' USB Image Writer' and another called 'USB Stick Formatter', which are so easy to use and would be ideal for Fehix's newbie. I don't want to knock MX as I love it and prefer it to those other distros, but these tools would really enhance MX in my opinion.

When you click on 'USB Stick Formatter' you get a box that pops up asking for your password, then you fill in the boxes of USB drive and what type of format you want, the only options offered are FAT 32 (default), NTFS or EXT 4. Dead simples!

That would be MintStick
http://ftp.tku.edu.tw/Linux/LinuxMint/l ... .4_all.deb

launch codes:

Code: Select all

mintstick -m iso

(write ISO)

Code: Select all

mintstick -m format

(format USB)

PS: version 1.3.4 works for me... version 1.3.5 seems to be unreliable.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 1:15 pm**

turtlebay777 wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 12:50 pm One thing that Mint 17.xxx and 18.xxx have is in Accessories, one tool is called ' USB Image Writer' and another called 'USB Stick Formatter', which are so easy to use and would be ideal for Fehix's newbie. I don't want to knock MX as I love it and prefer it to those other distros, but these tools would really enhance MX in my opinion.

When you click on 'USB Stick Formatter' you get a box that pops up asking for your password, then you fill in the boxes of USB drive and what type of format you want, the only options offered are FAT 32 (default), NTFS or EXT 4. Dead simples!

As I pointed out to the OP earlier in this thread, the Mint USB utilities have been available to install from the Package Installer for some time.

Chris

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 2:10 pm**

I think we have to identify two groups of users:

1. Users who are interested in computers and Linux. They install MX Linux themselves, check the User Manual and think HDDs and partitions are very exciting!

You can find these people in this forum. For them Gparted is great.

2. The other group you won't find on this forum. Someone else has installed MX Linux for them. They aren't keen to learn, because computers and Linux don't interest them. They just want to have a working OS. For them a simple USB formatter like Mintstick would be better.

Since I'm making a MX iso for my dad I thought about installing Mintstick, but it comes with a lot of dependencies so I won't.

Cheat: If you use Rufus in Windows, you can just delete the files from your MX USB and it's as good as new. I don't know if the MX USB tools work like this. If you use "dd" or your tool uses "dd" your files won't be available or so I have heard and I have had Linux isos do that to my USB sticks so I had to format them. Normally you don't need to format USB sticks, just delete the files.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:34 pm**

If only Mint's usb Stick Formatter, without the Mint Live usb Image Writer and Disks tools, was available? I have looked at them all and can appreciate the simplicity of the Formatter, although it's not immediately clear that the user password is required and the progress indicator stops short. If I had to format USB sticks regularly I might use it.

It is really an issue common to most distros, although MX has many other unique custom tools, offsetting many Linux characteristics new or basic users might otherwise struggle with, find difficult or time-consuming to configure themselves.

I certainly appreciate that formatting a USB can stump one initially, having migrated from xp myself. I didn't need to format a usb for some time, until I began using a Live USB and experienced a glitch in creating a stick. I think this might be a relatively common scenario for most users, given formatting a usb may not be a regular task for the general user. As such, the GParted and Live USB portions of the user manual seem convenient places to reference formatting USB storage devices. Adding a Mint tools option might require additional disclaimers and notes to avoid new user mishaps or confusion?

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:42 pm**

It might be a good idea to add "mintstick" menu: (USB Stick Formatter) to the next MXUM, thanks.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 4:04 pm**

tascoast wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:34 pm ... If only Mint's usb Stick Formatter, without the Mint Live usb Image Writer and Disks tools, was available?

This could easily be set this as such, that only the mint-usb-formater is available..

tascoast wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:34 pm ... although it's not immediately clear that the user password is required and the progress indicator stops short.

The progress-indicator is just a bug within current MXPI provvided mint-usb-formater. As I have a fixed version running, I might provide the package team an indication to set this up, without this 'short" stopper.

We just could redefine by a simple changing of an option within a polikit-rule, that a user would not need to enter a password for USB-formating.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:13 pm**

fehlix wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 4:04 pm We just could redefine by a simple changing of an option within a polikit-rule, that a user would not need to enter a password for USB-formating.

I wouldn't recommend this. Here's a scenario:

Father sits at his computer showing his son how to use MX Linux. Phone rings. Father leaves room. Son decides to poke around. "What does the USB formatter do?" Click, click. "Oops." The family photo album has been wiped..

A few seconds typing a password could prevent a lifetime of frustration.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:07 pm**

colin_b wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:13 pm
fehlix wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 4:04 pm We just could redefine by a simple changing of an option within a polikit-rule, that a user would not need to enter a password for USB-formating.
I wouldn't recommend this. Here's a scenario:

Father sits at his computer showing his son how to use MX Linux. Phone rings. Father leaves room. Son decides to poke around. "What does the USB formatter do?" Click, click. "Oops." Shortly afterwards it is discovered a lifetime of photos have disappeared.

A few seconds typing a password could prevent a lifetime of frustration.

That's why you make sure the phone is right buy the computer and you keep the require password function.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:19 pm**

colin_b wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:13 pm
fehlix wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 4:04 pm We just could redefine by a simple changing of an option within a polikit-rule, that a user would not need to enter a password for USB-formating.
I wouldn't recommend this. Here's a scenario:

Father sits at his computer showing his son how to use MX Linux. Phone rings. Father leaves room. Son decides to poke around. "What does the USB formatter do?" Click, click. "Oops." The family photo album has been wiped..

A few seconds typing a password could prevent a lifetime of frustration.

Thats on the data-level e.g. simialr to 2 clicks : rightclick your pictures folder and click delete.
usb-stick-formater are 3 clicks : open, select, confirm
Might be a settings the user can choose. either optional, enable/disable, or Or time-out, like e.g sudo on the cli does also has time-out.

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:27 pm**

fehlix wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:19 pm usb-stick-formater are 3 clicks : open, select, confirm

Oops, I was a click short

fehlix wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:19 pm Might be a settings the user can choose. either optional, enable/disable, or Or time-out, like e.g sudo on the cli does also has time-out.

I would personally leave the password enabled as a safety net, but options might be useful for some.

Posted: **Sun Jun 24, 2018 1:06 am**

Just caught up on this thread, keep the password, pure idiocy to remove it because a user would poke the finger saying "you (MX) broke this....", but if a password is required, then they have been satiated with all the notifications and warnings, therefore their actions are completely in their own control. Be as wise as a serpent, but as harmless as a dove. Let's not ruin the security and safety aspect of MX with a foolish and rash decision.

Posted: **Sun Jun 24, 2018 2:49 am**

The 'USB Stick Formatter' on Mint contains a password demand to make the user think 'is this the correct drive I want to format?'

Why fiddle about and remove it just for the reason of making it slightly different?

It just works, don't bugger about with it!

Posted: **Sun Jun 24, 2018 4:03 am**

Just wondering ...

Can the (Mint) USB Stick Formatter be improved to add the format choice of exFAT?

exFAT is supposedly optimized for flash drives, doesn't have the 4GB file size limitation of FAT32, and is read/write by PCs & Macs out of the box. Further, unlike some (many?) Linux distros exfat-utils and exfat-fuse are installed by default in MX 17.1.

Posted: **Sun Jun 24, 2018 5:08 am**

Antediluvian wrote: Sun Jun 24, 2018 4:03 am Just wondering ...

Can the (Mint) USB Stick Formatter be improved to add the format choice of exFAT?

exFAT is supposedly optimized for flash drives, doesn't have the 4GB file size limitation of FAT32, and is read/write by PCs & Macs out of the box. Further, unlike some (many?) Linux distros exfat-utils and exfat-fuse are installed by default in MX 17.1.

https://github.com/linuxmint/mintstick

Posted: **Sun Jun 24, 2018 5:34 am**

Antediluvian wrote: Sun Jun 24, 2018 4:03 am
Can the (Mint) USB Stick Formatter be improved to add the format choice of exFAT?

exFAT is supposedly optimized for flash drives, doesn't have the 4GB file size limitation of FAT32, and is read/write by PCs & Macs out of the box. Further, unlike some (many?) Linux distros exfat-utils and exfat-fuse are installed by default in MX 17.1.

Yes. We just need a small adjustment to add this option during build of the tool for MXPI
to provide exFAT, as I have done with my installation. I will provide instructions
for our packageing team, as I've already included this option:

ubs-formatore-exfat.png

Posted: **Sun Jun 24, 2018 9:22 am**

fehlix wrote: Sun Jun 24, 2018 5:34 am
Antediluvian wrote: Sun Jun 24, 2018 4:03 am
Can the (Mint) USB Stick Formatter be improved to add the format choice of exFAT?

exFAT is supposedly optimized for flash drives, doesn't have the 4GB file size limitation of FAT32, and is read/write by PCs & Macs out of the box. Further, unlike some (many?) Linux distros exfat-utils and exfat-fuse are installed by default in MX 17.1.
Yes. We just need a small adjustment to add this option during build of the tool for MXPI
to provide exFAT, as I have done with my installation. I will provide instructions
for our packageing team, as I've already included this option:
ubs-formatore-exfat.png

make sure to submit the change upstream to the mintstick folks!

Posted: **Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:26 pm**

colin_b wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:13 pm
fehlix wrote: Sat Jun 23, 2018 4:04 pm We just could redefine by a simple changing of an option within a polikit-rule, that a user would not need to enter a password for USB-formating.
I wouldn't recommend this. Here's a scenario:

Father sits at his computer showing his son how to use MX Linux. Phone rings. Father leaves room. Son decides to poke around. "What does the USB formatter do?" Click, click. "Oops." The family photo album has been wiped..

A few seconds typing a password could prevent a lifetime of frustration.

Same issue with that "Granted permissions without asking for password" which is default in MX. Imagine Admin configured system and gave it to User without restart. I know, it's limited but User still has some time to break something in system typing random commands from Internet.
P.S. That was just a good example. On topic, I believe that USB formatting should be without password but with some noticeable WARNING (like text on yellow background in XFCE programs)..

Posted: **Sun Jul 01, 2018 3:32 pm**

Withdrawn, forgot I'd already commented.

Posted: **Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:24 pm**

Could Felix's handy work be added to MX tools?

It would make formatting a USB stick a safe and simple exercise for all users.

Posted: **Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:37 pm**

colin_b wrote: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:24 pm It would make formatting a USB stick a safe and simple exercise for all users.

Mint's minstick is in testrepo already available. We might update to latest 1.3.8, where Clem added the missing exFAT format option.
As it is a Linux Mint Tool it might perhaps better leaving under Accessoires as it is available now.

Posted: **Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:26 pm**

fehlix wrote: Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:37 pm As it is a Linux Mint Tool it might perhaps better leaving under Accessoires as it is available now.

That's a shame. It would be a really useful MX tool OOTB.

Posted: **Thu Nov 15, 2018 12:34 am**

fehlix wrote: Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:37 pm As it is a Linux Mint Tool it might perhaps better leaving under Accessoires as it is available now.

I've just watched Sparky Linux vs. MX Linux - Head to Head Debian Battle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE5iqeRsoaY

Guess the winner

It just so happens that Mintstick is a part of Sparky OOTB.

The modified version with the exFAT format option is more functional than the original which is included in Sparky.

If it was an MX tool it would be easily found and really useful.

Just a thought.

MX Linux Forum

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