Mounting USB Storage - Here come the dumb questions...
 

I am using Linux for the first time tonight. I figured formatting and only installing RH9 would force me to learn Linux. :D

I can't get this USB Hard Drive to mount... I don't even fully understand what [mount] does or how it works. I read [man 8 mount] and just confused me more. :confused:

Using Hardware Browser, I see my FugiFilm USB Drive listed as /dev/sda so I try this:

[cameron@pcp04030052pcs cameron]$ mount /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: only root can do that
[cameron@pcp04030052pcs cameron]$ mount /dev/sda sda1
mount: only root can do that
[cameron@pcp04030052pcs cameron]$ mount /dev/sda1 fugi
mount: only root can do that

Am I trying to mount it correctly?
Plus, why do I have to be root to mount a stupid drive?
Can I gain root access without logging off my [cameron] username?

Thank you so much in advance for any help offered!!

~ Cameron
:newbie:

Yes you can do 'su -l' that will make you root. When you logout from that
you'll go right back to your own user account.
'mount /dev/sda /mnt/sda' looks like the right command. Does the directory
/mnt/sda exist? If not do 'mkdir /mnt/sda' then run your mount command.
If you need more help let us know.

Michael

P.S. Welcome to Linux. :)

yes

type su

then when it prompts for password, enter root password

(do this in terminal window)

Thank you so much for the fast reply!

su -l worked great... Here's what I tried:

mount /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: you must specify the filesystem type

>> to learn about types:
man 8 mount

mount -t vfat /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sda,
or too many mounted file systems

>> Hardware Browser lists type on device as fat16:
mount -t fat16 /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: fs type fat16 not supported by kernel

So, I guess I just can't uses that drive on RH9.... :cry:

~ Cameron

You need to specify a partition number.

Try

mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/sda

He's right. I did forget about the partition number. Also, concerning the
filesystem, has your USB drive been formated yet. If not, or if there is no
data on it, try 'fdisk /dev/sda'. Create a partition on the drive. Then try
'mkfs.ext3 /dev/sda1'. In the command I said partition 1, but
use what ever partition number you need should you make more than 1
partition.
If you need more help let me know.

$ mkdir /flash
$ mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /flash


^ I have a USB Key, and that is how I mount it in RH9.

Grr.... More trouble...

# mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/sda
mount: special device /dev/sda1 does not exist
# mount -t vfat /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sda,
or too many mounted file systems

Hardware Browser Image:
http://gocameron.com/public/Screenshot.png

:mad: This is so frustrating. I feel dumb because I can answer virtually any Windows question & here I can't even use a USB key. There is an active partition. This USB Key works fine on my WinXP PC and has files on it, so I don't want to format.

Are there any resources to aquaint Windows users with the [mount]ing procedures in Linux?
Is there a program that will automatically mount/unmount via GUI?

Thanks so much in advance!

~ Cameron
:newbie:

Hey cameron, What I am thinking is that you will need to change the filesystem from Fat16 if you want to use it with linux. I have done the same thing as you, I have removed windows and all NTFS filesystems from my computers. I am tryign to force myself to do linux also.

ANyways, my understanding of what Mount does is basicly "Link" a device to a 'Folder" on your HD.

This linux stuff is not as easy as Windows, i am still having a hard time understanding what Installing RPMs actually does and how to compile programs that I download.

PS. Cameron, do you have AIM, MSN, or Yahoo?

thanks

It might be just formated as FAT.
try:
mount -t auto /dev/sda1 /mnt/sda