Can we just clarify; did you manage to mount it or not.

Show 'fdisk -l' and (if mounted) 'df -h'.
See my prev posts

No Chris I didn't mount it. I was trying to copy it, thought it would work. It didn't work and erased my OS. I am about to install it again. Do you have a suggestion how to partition the disk to make it easier to mount or to copy?
Thank you!

I think we need to clarify install, vs mount, vs partition

install = install the OS sw; already done
mount = try to mount this external disk
partition = verb: slice a disk into partitions (sic) each of which is mounted at a mt pt.(see previous posts).


As per my previous posts if we have a working system, then we should be able to create a dir to mount it to and mount it there, then you can backup content direct. No need to copy it onto HDD disk first.
As I mentioned, I use that procedure I wrote to get stuff off my phone.
Please follow the procedure I wrote step by step and record exactly what happened.
Your descriptions are confusing me.

I am not surprised that my posts are confusing you I have no clue what I am doing. I would read dozens of pages and then try to do it thinking that I have learned , but then it seems I haven't.
I am going to install linux again and I guess I will do the same partitioning. The last time I divided my hard drive (which is 320 Gbs) into the following partitions:" /", "/home", "/temp". I made the /home partition the biggest one, hoping to copy or mount the content of the external drive on it.
Now I am not sure if I can actually do it. I know that the external would not mount. I thought it's because it was trying to mount where there is not enough room for it. I was trying to figure out where exactly it mounts ( I should say trying to mount), but I couldn't. /etc/fstab doesn't work. Nano /etc/fstab does, but I don't see the available mounting points, which I thought I was supposed to see there.
It is hard for me, because even if it's a newbie forum, everyone knows too much lol and can't talk to me like to a newbie.
Chris, if you can help me from the beginning, to tell me how many partitions I need to be able to mount this darn (sorry) external, I would be eternally grateful. I am getting really tired of this and almost ready to give up. I've been struggling with this issue for almost a month now I think. I see something positive in this experience as I have learned a lot, not only abut Linux, but about computers. Still it doesn't help me with this problem. Thank you very much for being here when everybody else gave up on me lol

1. don't try and create partitions; take the default settings. K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid )
2. see my posts #8 & #13
3. you're not adding the external disk 'into' the system, you're adding to (appending)
4. /etc/fstab is a data file, not a program.
5. fstab only contains already defined mt pts for partitions that already exist. Ignore it for this exercise.
6. Please read my posts (esp 8 & 13) slowly, point by point. Read up each cmd as you go BEFORE you touch anything.

Morning Chris!

I did as you said: installed OS using default, whichis without dividing the disk into partitions. Then I used the commands from your posts #13 and I got the same message:

What else can I try?

I've read so many threads and it seems to me there are many experienced people here with great advices. Some similar to mine threads are already solved. Why is mine stuck? How come noone has any suggestions? Or is my problem too hopeless?

Just trying to get some attention to my thread Still waiting for help