Possible to write to WinXP NTFS partition ?
 

I am running Mandrake Linux 10.0.

It' s really good, it automatically mount my WinXP partition. However, I could only read the files there, but not possible to write files to the WinXP parition(NTFS).

What should I do in order to make write possible ?

Thank you !

kernel 2.6 has a more stable ntfs write support.

Though i highly suggest a backup system when writing to NTFS from Linux.

First, you have to mount (or remount in your case) the Windows partition in read-write mode. The easiest way to do this is to check your /etc/fstab file and look at the options listed for the Windows partition. It'll look like this:

You need to change the 'ro' to 'rw' and then reboot.

Second, you also need Write support for NTFS enabled in the kernel. I doubt the default Mandrake kernel has write support enabled, so you'd have to build your own and install it.

Thank you !

Can you tell me in detail how to make the Write support for NTFS enabled in the kernel ? How to build my own and install it ?

Building your own kernel is a complex, but ultimately fairly simple task. The first step is to get a copy of the sources you need. You could start with the basic/default kernel sources, but it would probably be easier if you used the Mandrake sources instead.

So first figure out which kernel you are running now with the 'uname -a' command. You're looking for a number like '2.6.7' or '2.6.5-158'. Then figure out how to download the mandrake kernel sources for that version or a later version. Once you've done that report back and I can help with setting the options and building a new kernel. I don't use Mandrake though, so it would take me some time to figure out where to get the Mandrake kernel sources.

Maybe somebody else can chime in on that part.

Edit: maybe you just need to run 'urpmi kernel-sources'

2.6.3-7mdk


What 's my next step ?

Did you download the kernel sources? If not, that's your next step.

I don't know where to download the kernel source. Can you help ?

Thanks !::confused:

Try this:

1. Log into your system

2. Start a Konsole session

3. At the prompt, type 'su' and enter the root password.

4. At the new root prompt, type 'rpmdrake'

5. In RPMDRAKE, type 'kernel-source' into the Search box and click on Search. You should see a list of source packages on the left side, including kernel-source-2.6.3-16mdk. Click the box next to that one and click the 'Install' button. It should download and install the kernel sources. If it seems to work, let me know.

The source package is big, so give it a while to download.

I only have a model dial-up connection. What's the approximate file size ?

Probably around 20-25MB.

Edit: I was wrong - it's about 42MB.

I'll download the kernel at my office, which is broadband connection.

I'll let you know after I download it !

By the way, is it unsafe to upgrade to an updated kernel ?

or is it unstable to write to WinXP NTFS partition ? If not, why they build a kernel that supports writing to NTFS ?

Many thanks !

Wait - this may not be worth it for you after all. Before you go any further, you should know this, from the mandrake sources config file:

Depending on what you need to do, creating a special share partition with FAT format may work better for sharing files between the two OS's.

What is non-resident files ? Can you give me an example ?