[SOLVED] e2label - why didn't it work?

[Snowhog]

I have two external USB HDs. Neither are identified in /etc/fstab by choice. I access them via Dolphin when needed. Neither had a label.

I decided to set labels for both using e2label from the console, but it failed with:

e2label: Bad magic number in super-block while trying to open /dev/sdx
Couldn't find valid filesystem superblock.

whether I use /dev/sdx or /dev/sdx1. I had to boot into GParted and set the labels there.

Why wouldn't e2label work?

[Snowhog]

Re: e2label - why didn't it work?

In the words of Homer Simpson: "Doh!" :P

Ubuntu Documentation > Community Documentation > RenameUSBDrive

Unmount the Partition

Partitions generally need to be unmounted before you can fiddle with them, so unmount the partition of the device you want to change the label for

Yup. Unmounted, both of my USB HDs can be labeled using e2label.

"The only thing wrong with the Operating System is the nut attached to the keyboard."

[Yuri sss]

Re: [SOLVED] e2label - why didn't it work?

A typical case of Pebkac (Problem exists between keyboard and chair)

[kyonides]

Re: [SOLVED] e2label - why didn't it work?

A layer 8 issue?

Now I know why I could enter a label for my partitions, I didn't mount them before!