ubuntu noob, new see post 2

v ben using windows and im new to ubuntu so i need some help on how to do some things, 1 format a thumb drive, i tried using gparted but it wont let be format the drive, and 2 i need to run java web start and i cant seem to figure out how to install it on linux.
note: im runing from a live cd

Re: ubuntu noobyou cant install anything on a live cd version, and gparted is a partition manager, not a format utility.

Re: ubuntu noobok, is there any way of partitioning a external hard drive with out wipeing the files that are all ready on it? i have a 320GB mybook external hard drive and i all ready have files on it.