How to format or wipe a compact flash that is used for an embedded operating system?

If you like to format your compact flash drive, then you have to use the multi-card reader. Only the multi-card reader you may format the compact flash drive. Actually, you can format your compact flash drive through your computer. Because the firmware in the multi-card reader will allow you directly format the compact flash drive through the computer. This card will work on the FAT32 system only. If you like to format it in the NTFS format, then it will not work at all. The reason is that the compact flash drive was built for FAT32 format, although you may see the other formats in the drop-down menu in the format tab. Even, if you get any other windows software for formatting the compact flash drive, then it will not work perfectly. Moreover, you are talking about the embedded operating system. You may install the OS in this compact flash drive after formatting. One thing, you may try to format the compact flash drive in Linux PC, which may work for you. Because the embedded operating system is Linux so it is better to install it through a Linux system. Actually, it will also work according to your requirement. Still, it may not format your compact flash unless you don't follow the format procedure in Linux system.