Write Access on an external HDD

[binarydumb]

I have a USB external HDD connected to my Linux box running Fedora Core 6. I am trying to save files, etc onto that external hdd but dont have write acess to it as show by the screenshot I took:



When I click the drop down menu to choose read/write access, I get the error saying that I don't have permission to do so. Where is it that I can change this? or how? Also, the HDD is formatted in NTFS. When I try and have Fedora open the drive to list the files that do exist, I get the following error: "The volume xxx uses the NTFS file system which is not supported by your system". I thought Linux can read/write into an NTFS drive?

[Juan Pablo]

No out of the box, NTFS is a propietary file system and specification are not available, creating a driver is pretty hard. But we have a couple of hacks . ntfs-3g

Post the output of "uname -a"

[binarydumb]

No out of the box, NTFS is a propietary file system and specification are not available, creating a driver is pretty hard. But we have a couple of hacks . ntfs-3g

Post the output of "uname -a"

But, but.

When I use Knoppix Live CD it can read and write (I have to allow it), but works there. So Fedora cannot do that? That throws a big wrench into my plans.

What's "uname -a"?? Sorry, a very green person when it comes to Linux. :-p

[Juan Pablo]

When I use Knoppix Live CD it can read and write (I have to allow it), but works there. So Fedora cannot do that? That throws a big wrench into my plans.

Well, you can force it but it's dangerous with the default driver. But the other aproach, ntfs-3g, is a safe read/write driver.

What's "uname -a"?? Sorry, a very green person when it comes to Linux. :-p

Open a console and type "uname -a" without the quotes, copy and paste the output here

[binarydumb]

So where do I get this NTFS-3g?

Also here's the screenshot of the 'uname -a':



Also, what's strange is when I plug in my USB memory stick (4GB), it opens it up fine, no problems with read/write access already. It's in FAT32. So would it be possible just to re-format the HDD (120gb) into FAT32?

[Juan Pablo]

Also, what's strange is when I plug in my USB memory stick (4GB), it opens it up fine, no problems with read/write access already. It's in FAT32. So would it be possible just to re-format the HDD (120gb) into FAT32?

Yes, if you want to.

[kalaka]

If you really need to write to NTFS, try doing this:

type in the console:

su -

Then input your root password. Then type:

yum install ntfs-3g

After its installed, show us the output for when you type:

fdisk -l

[jonpb]

Fat32 is not a good idea and besides, I don´t think it will work with Partitions larger than 30 to 40 gb. Keep it as NTFS if you want to use it with Windows PC´s above NT4 / 2000.

This is how it works for me. Might not be the best way but it works.

When you plug in the drive, Nautilus (the gnome file manager) will mount the drive automatically. Right click on it and unmount.

As root, make sure you have the following packages installed using yum....

yum -y install gnome-mount hal-gnome ntfs-3g

When installed, got to...

System - Administration - Hardware

Look for your device. On mine it is about halfway amoungst the USB Devices. Look for the Volume Label you used when you formatted the drive in Windows. Once you find it, select it then select the Advanced tab look for the device node.

For example, mine is /dev/sdi1.

As root Create a mount point like /mnt/usbhdd1 and check your permissions.

chown username:group /mnt/usbhdd1
chmod 775 /mnt/usbhdd1

Then use ntfs-3g to mout your drive.

ntfs-3g /dev/sdi1 /mnt/usbhdd1

or if necessary

ntfs-3g -o force /dev/sdi1 /mnt/usbhdd1

To unmount when your done use....

fusermount -u /mnt/usbhdd1

Check the man pages for more details.......

man ntfs-3g

[binarydumb]

If you really need to write to NTFS, try doing this:

type in the console:

su -

Then input your root password. Then type:

yum install ntfs-3g

After its installed, show us the output for when you type:

fdisk -l

Okay, here's what I got:

[binarydumb]

As root Create a mount point like /mnt/usbhdd1 and check your permissions.

Ummm. Hit a a 'proverbial' brick wall on this one. How do I make a mount via the shell? My device is: /dev/sdb1.

BTW: Thanks for helping folks. I am just an ignoramus when it comes to Linux. I can install and do some work on existing applications. But when working with the shell it feels like the old "DOS" days for me. Please pardon moi and be patient.