Quote Originally Posted by stevelw
1. I have absolutely no idea of the syntax to format under Linux and I wouldn't want to reformat the hard disk by mistake and

2. Would formatting under Linex not put the Linux FS onto the stick thereby rendering it unreadable to Windows XP ?
2. Linux can write a number of different partition formats, including FAT.

1. A touch of care and common sense may come in handy here.

The said, I don't tend to use the Linux tools much myself, I tend to like 3rd party formating tools like Ranish Partition Manager.