Ubuntu
util-linux package

How to format a SSD from HFS+ to a suitable format for Ubuntu?

Asked by Roy S

I have a SSD from my old Macbook. There is no OS on it, but it is formated in Mac OS journaled (HFS+). I do not have a Mac to access and format it with. How can I format this to a suitable format for Ubuntu? The only useable computer I have is the computer I'm going to use this SSD on.

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N1ck 7h0m4d4k15
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N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#1

Hi ,

Can't you use the Disk Utility or/and Gparted to format the disk to appropriate filesystem ? (ext4 for Linux-Ubuntu).

Disk Utility is integrated to Ubuntu installation (pre-installed)
and
Gparted is pre-installed in any Ubuntu Live CD (but not in regular install) . At regular install you have to install gparted with this command

~$ sudo apt-get install gparted

and if you want to add support for HFS

~$ sudo apt-get install hfsutils

See about gparted here: http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

The best way would be to boot from a Live CD and try to install Ubuntu directly to the SSD . I think Installer can handle the format and transformation of SSD's filesystem.

Thanks

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Roy S (clean-carrier-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#2

I see. But how can I access Disk Utility/GParted when there is no OS installed? I have to install the SSD in order to access it, and therefore I have to remove the existing HDD (with the OS installed). I don't know if I understood your last sentence correctly. Is it possible to run the installer (USB drive in my case) while the SSD is formated in HFS+?

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Best N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#3

The installer and generally the Live Sessions , loaded to memory(RAM) , not to HDD or SSD . You can load a full Ubuntu Live session even if you don't have at all HDD or SSD attached.

If you don't have a liveUSB , then create one with Unetbootin program

Unetbootin here: http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS iso here: http://releases.ubuntu.com/12.04/

Thanks

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Roy S (clean-carrier-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#4

I totally forgot that you can run Ubuntu on USB. I'll try this later. Thanks for all your help.

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Roy S (clean-carrier-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#5

Thanks NikTh, that solved my question.