unmounted hard disk volume/CD ROM: permission denied

tuluks · 12-14-2006, 07:15 PM

im new to linux. really new. i have windows and suse 10 linux on one hard disk on different partitions. windows(ntfs) has failed to boot up so im using linux.

problem is when i try to open anything, partitions or CD drives, in 'my computer' i get an error message:

"could not mount device
the reported error was:
mount: can't open /etc/mtab for writing: permission denied"

could this have anything to do with my windows os failing to boot?

please help!

carl0ski · 12-14-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuluks

im new to linux. really new. i have windows and suse 10 linux on one hard disk on different partitions. windows(ntfs) has failed to boot up so im using linux.

problem is when i try to open anything, partitions or CD drives, in 'my computer' i get an error message:

"could not mount device
the reported error was:
mount: can't open /etc/mtab for writing: permission denied"

could this have anything to do with my windows os failing to boot?

please help!

hi for whatever wise reason
In suse you cannot read NTFS drives unless you are root user.

I'm not at my Suse machine so please bare with me

you need to open
Yast2 (System Config) > System > partitioner

look for your Windows (NTFS drive) > edit >
DO NOT Format option

and choose a mount point
'/mnt/windows' is good

you also need to add chmod=0555 to the append section

this is so a normal user can read the drive using /mnt/windows.

live_dont_exist · 12-15-2006, 01:45 AM

Its not only about NTFS partitions though they too by default cannot be mounted by a user. The "mount" command is privileged and can be used only by a root user. I'm not sure about the GUI for Suse but I do know that if you do have the root password for you system you could switch to root by 'su' , run your mount command and then return to a normal user and access your files. This to me is the best solution.

Cheers
Arvind

tuluks · 12-15-2006, 02:57 AM

thanks very much for the reply carl0ski and Arvind.
I did what you explained carl0ski but couldnt find the append section you said, so i still have the same error...
on the other hand, how do i be the root user all the time? that sounds more simpler for me to do..

really appreciate you guys replies....

tuluks · 12-15-2006, 06:14 PM

i logged in as root user and tried to open hda1, hda5, hda7, cd rom, but still same error message:

"could not mount device
the reported error was:
mount: can't open /etc/mtab for writing: permission denied"

what the heck could be wrong?

live_dont_exist · 12-17-2006, 12:18 AM

Can you paste the contents of your terminal whenever you're trying to do this?

Also please paste outputs of:

1./sbin/fdisk -l
2.ls -la /etc/mtab
3.cat /etc/fstab

Cheers
Arvind

tuluks · 12-18-2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by live_dont_exist

Can you paste the contents of your terminal whenever you're trying to do this?

Also please paste outputs of:

1./sbin/fdisk -l
2.ls -la /etc/mtab
3.cat /etc/fstab

Cheers
Arvind

bro, really appreciate your reply, but, i just did the shortcut and clean install and start agan from scratch. i think i mustve done something in root that i didnt kno and messed it up.

any advice on wat not to do to repeat any mistakes when reinstall?

cheers mate.

live_dont_exist · 12-18-2006, 02:17 AM

No problems

. I'm not really sure on what you did so I cant advise you, but if its working fine then dont bother. Just post back incase you ever have any problems again.

Cheers
Arvind