Rename external HD

[Phil Pinkerton]

Bob Cortez wrote:
> The file system of the hd is vfat. I tried following the instructions
> at http://www.debuntu.org/device-partition-labeling with the following
> results.
>
> @ubuntu:~$ df -T
> Filesystem    Type   1K-blocks      Used Available Use% Mounted on
> /dev/mapper/ubuntu-root
>               ext3    27371388   3975252  22005752  16% /
> varrun       tmpfs      257960       216    257744   1% /var/run
> varlock      tmpfs      257960         0    257960   0% /var/lock
> procbususb   usbfs      257960       108    257852   1% /proc/bus/usb
> udev         tmpfs      257960       108    257852   1% /dev
> devshm       tmpfs      257960         0    257960   0% /dev/shm
> lrm          tmpfs      257960     33788    224172  14%
> /lib/modules/2.6.20-16-generic/volatile
> /dev/hda1     ext3      241116     26964    201704  12% /boot
> /dev/sda1     vfat    78127040  39304800  38822240  51% /media/EXERNAL HD
> @ubuntu:~$ sudo gedit ~/.mtoolsrc
> @ubuntu:~$ sudo mlabel -s i:
> Cannot initialize 'I:'
> mlabel: Cannot initialize drive
> @ubuntu:~$
>
> <---
>
> Phil - yes I've tried to highlight but I don't get a rename option.  I
> think that only works for folders and files, not devices.  F2 doesn't
> do anything.  Alt-F2 brings up the run dialogue box but I'm not sure
> what I should be using as a command.  I tried mlabel -s i: with the
> same result as above.  Cannot initialize drive.
>   
I should explain that I have a dual boot system (gutsy 7.10 ) and 
auto-mount the Windows partition when Linux is booted.

Also I have Ubuntu and Kubuntu desktops both installed, The method I 
mentioned as a way to re-name the device was
on my "Kubuntu" desktop where I have 4 Icons. 2 are folders and 2 are 
devices.

The labels under the device Icons are "/" for the root partition and 
"(hda2)" for the mounted Windows partition.
and I can /change these labels /using the right-click rename or f2.

 It may work differently when on the Ubuntu desktop which I believe is 
what your using.

phil

> I also tried the instructions for ext3 file system in case the
> directions were based on the host and not the external drive.  I
> received the following response.
> <---
> e2label: Bad magic number in super-block while trying to open /dev/sda1
> Couldn't find valid filesystem superblock.
> <---
>
> I could probably plug it into the XP box and change it there, but I'm
> being stubborn.  I may not always have that available to me in these
> situations.
>
> Thanks for the responses, any other ideas?
>
> Bob
>
>   
_/Xtreme suggestion:/_
Did you try "fdisk" on /dev/sda1 ? blow away the partition(s) save and 
exit to write to device table.
Re-Run "fdisk" /dev/sda1 create new partition(s) as linux (type 83)
Then run mkfs -f ext3 /dev/sda1.

phil


> On 5/30/07, Mario Vukelic <mario.vukelic at dantian.org> wrote:
>   
>> On Wed, 2007-05-30 at 14:53 -0800, Bob Cortez wrote:
>>     
>>> What's the best way to rename the hard drive to a ubuntu 7.04 friencly
>>> name? I tried using the properties field in the gui but got 'you don't
>>> have permissions' error.
>>>       
>> You may be able to do it by starting an instance of the file manager
>> with Alt+F2 to bring up the run dialog, then run "sudo nautilus
>> --no-desktop".
>>
>> Or use Alt+F2 or a terminal and run "sudo mkfs.ext3 -L <name>". Read the
>> man page, either with "man mkfs.ext3" in a terminal or via menu System|
>> Help and Support|Adanced Topics. This is assuming that you have an ext3
>> filesystem on the disk. If not, try the section SEE AlSO in "man mkfs"
>>
>>
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>>     
>
>