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Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:49 am
by kris777
I wanted to format my pendrive to install a live USB iso with the MXlinux 23 AHS system on it... and I used the Format USB program, unfortunately, despite several attempts to format it to fat32 / ext4 and confirming that everything was OK, the pendrive remained unformatted with the files that were there before? that's why I'm asking whether the Format USB program works properly for you? Is this problem only on my laptop?
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:53 am
by chrispop99
I've used it hundreds of times with zero failures, and it works 100% for me.
Are you absolutely sure you are selecting the correct drive in the dialogue?
Chris
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:59 am
by kris777
I'm 100% sure, I only have one 32GB pendrive with two files related to the veracrypt program and after formatting with the Format USB program, nothing happens and the files remain on the pendrive :-)
I'll take some screenshots

Maybe there is something wrong with my system? or compatibility of Lenovo legion 5 pro with MXlinux?
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 5:00 am
by linexer2016
kris777 wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:49 am
I wanted to format my pendrive to install a live USB iso with the MXlinux 23 AHS system on it... and I used the Format USB program, unfortunately, despite several attempts to format it to fat32 / ext4 and confirming that everything was OK, the pendrive remained unformatted with the files that were there before? that's why I'm asking whether the Format USB program works properly for you? Is this problem only on my laptop?
Like Chrispop, I too have used this tool with no apparent issues. Probably only used it a half dozen times but again, no issues.
Is your usb write protected by any chance?
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 5:21 am
by kris777
Well, the Format USB program doesn't work on my laptop, but I saved the MXlinux 23 AHS live usb ISO file correctly without prior formatting with the program: MX live USB maker / dd option, read-only image mode
ps.
I ran this live system from USB on a laptop and it works properly...kernel version 6.5.0-1 wifi works OK with the Intel AX201 card
USB does not have write protection because it is a 32GB mini SD card inserted only in the USB adapter.
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:45 am
by MXRobo
I'm reaching here, and I haven't use that app from some time and used only very basic features, but I'm curious about this comment: "despite several attempts to format it to fat32 / ext4".
Shouldn't it be formatted to fat32 before using MX-Live-USB-Maker?
I realize that wouldn't have anything to do with it not formatting it though, unless trying two fomats at the same time – I said I'm reaching.
What about deleting the files first?
Maybe reinstall formatusb?
Could the USB be bad?
https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-che ... ash-drive/
Probably not if you wrote to it with MX-Live-USB-Maker.
Good Luck.
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:53 am
by dolphin_oracle
live-usb-maker doens't care if the device is preformatted or not. especially the dd mode, which just replaces the file system anyway. you could do a dd write onto completed blank media, no filesystem at all.
for the "full featured" writes, live-usb-maker reformats the device anyway.
I suppose there could be some issue with informing the kernel of the change in format on an sd card in a usb adapter. if so, probably wouldn't happen to all users.
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:26 am
by kris777
For the test, I checked another known program for formatting and saving ISO. mintstick v.1.5.7 I installed the last version from the .deb file if it's important. For testing, of course, I have the same 32Gb pendrive and everything went quickly and smoothly, both formatting to FAT32 and EXT4.
http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/main/m/mintstick/
I tested the program once again on the same 32GB USB:
Format USB... unfortunately with a similar result, i.e. no possibility of formatting despite the information about the success of the operation :-)
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:27 am
by fehlix
dolphin_oracle wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:53 am
live-usb-maker doens't care if the device is preformatted or not. especially the dd mode, which just replaces the file system anyway. you could do a dd write onto completed blank media, no filesystem at all.
for the "full featured" writes, live-usb-maker reformats the device anyway.
I suppose there could be some issue with informing the kernel of the change in format on an sd card in a usb adapter. if so, probably wouldn't happen to all users.
Nope..,
reproducable with
It's one of those issues where translated strings get processed,
and processing fails due to unexpacted strings.
Send a fix shortly to github, where
ui->comboBoxDataFormat->currentIndex()
is used instead of
ui->comboBoxDataFormat->currentText()
which provides desired format from a list
QList<QString> format_list = format_list << "vfat" << "ext4" << "exfat" << "ntfs";
...
~~~
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:33 am
by nirav
I use Ventoy for all the iso works incredibly well.
https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:34 am
by dolphin_oracle
fehlix wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:27 am
dolphin_oracle wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:53 am
live-usb-maker doens't care if the device is preformatted or not. especially the dd mode, which just replaces the file system anyway. you could do a dd write onto completed blank media, no filesystem at all.
for the "full featured" writes, live-usb-maker reformats the device anyway.
I suppose there could be some issue with informing the kernel of the change in format on an sd card in a usb adapter. if so, probably wouldn't happen to all users.
Nope..,
reproducable with
It's one of those issues where translated strings get processed,
and processing fails due to unexpacted strings.
Send a fix shortly to github, where
ui->comboBoxDataFormat->currentIndex()
is used instead of
ui->comboBoxDataFormat->currentText()
which provides desired format from a list
QList<QString> format_list = format_list << "vfat" << "ext4" << "exfat" << "ntfs";
...
~~~
that was my next guess!
thanks! that really shouldn't be translated. I'll take care of it.
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:16 pm
by popjah
I use it almost every day, with multiple usbs and for various formats; absolutely no problem here.
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:18 pm
by dolphin_oracle
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly? [Solved]
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:40 pm
by kris777
Hurray, it works properly! this is probably an error related to the language of the MXlinux System and the Format USB program :-)
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 1:08 pm
by dolphin_oracle
kris777 wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:40 pm
Hurray, it works properly! this is probably an error related to the language of the MXlinux System and the Format USB program :-)
I should have handled the combo box choice better. Thanks for the report!!!
Re: Format USB - MX tool - does it work properly?
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:56 pm
by linexer2016
Edited post(s) as Kris now has marked the thread solved.