Formatting an external USB HDD in ext3

[Sponge]

I needed to format a 1TB external usb hdd in ext3 so that I could connect it directly to my NAS and perform backups to it. So I created a boot cd for GParted, booted my Windows PC from it and did so.

I then connected the usb hdd to my NAS and I'm currently attempting to add a backup 'task' via the nas's backup module gui.

In the main gui of the nas shows the external drive as having a capacity of 953,870MB.

In the backup module's gui it shows the usb hdd as having 870.1GB free of 916.9GB. :confused:

This doesn't make sense to me. Do those numbers add up?

To make matters worse, the creation of the backup 'task' keeps failing.

I'm wondering if the ext3 format of the usb hdd is snafu.

Edit: I think I may have found out what the problem is. The folder I'm trying to backup is larger than the free space on the usb hdd. If the drive was showing it's full available capacity, it would be, but it's only showing 870GB. Ignore, this is wrong. It's fine. :smashfreak:

Edit #2: I've just tried it again, with a different folder as source (folder to backup) and it's worked. Why does it sometimes feel like these machines have emotions and just like to piss you off?

Edit #3: I appear to have found the problem. When you create a task there is a field labelled 'Task Description'. Which is self-explanatory. I'd entered some text - "Backup of 'My Stuff' folder". It was the ' that made it fail. Removing them solved it. It still doesn't explain why only 870GB of free space is being utilised.

Talking this over with you has really helped. I'd like to thank everyone.

Edited November 1, 2010 by Sponge
Possible solution? Yeah, right. You wish!

[Mac]

Glad to help

[Sponge]

Sometimes you just need someone to listen.