Is it possible to read NTFS filesystem (on Windows XP) under Slackware 9.1? Other distros like Mandrake allow one to read files on a NTFS partition. Does one need to download any specific software to do so?

recompile your kernel with NTFS read support. There you go. Other distros like mandrake just have it already compiled in or as a module that's why they have it by default.

Thanks for your reply. But I am bit a bit leery of compiling the kernel as I am afraid I might break my installation if I make any mistake during the compilation and installation of the kernel.

In any case, do you have any reference which describes, step by step, how to compile the kernel? I am sure this has been discussed before and will appreciate it if you provide any pointers. Plus, if I have to do that, will it make sense to compile the new 2.6 version? Does it have any advantage for desktop use?

Well at the top of this forum page you'll find 2 sticky threads. One for compiling a kernel, and one for compiling a 2.6.0 kernel. I have never looked at them but they seem to be what you need.

Second. Even if you screw something up and your system does not boot. The second CD for Slackware 9.1 is a live cd. So you can boot that up, mount your root partition where slackware is installed. Then use the 'chroot' command to get into the system to recompile your kernel and see if you can fix what you messed up.

If you have any troubles I can help you. I have compiled many kernels, including the 2.6.0 kernel.

As to your other question. Yah the 2.6.0 kernel will improve desktop performance. http://www.kniggit.net/wwol26.html
Go there if you want to know all the info and features about 2.6.0 and jump to the section about "preembtable" kernel for info about things that pertains to performance.

the default kernel comes with ntfs support, so you don't need to compile

read " man mount " and " man fstab " to mount your ntfs partitions

quick steps:

1. create dir: example #mkdir /mnt/ntfs
2. # mount /dev/hdx /mnt/ntfs ( where x is your ntfs partition)

if you want it mounted at boot up edit /etc/fstab

add: /dev/hdc1 /mnt/ntfs ntfs defaults 1 0


if you want user read acces add:

/dev/hdc1 /mnt/ntfs ntfs uid=500,gid=500,umask=000,exec,dev,suid,ro 1 0

hope that helps

cheers

Thanks for showing me the way. I created a directory /mnt/win_c and added the following statement in /etc/fstab (I lifted it from the /etc/fstab from a Mandrake installation)

/dev/hda2 /mnt/win_c ntfs umask=0,ro,iocharset=iso8859-1 0 0

and I could read files on the ntfs partition /dev/hda2.

I did not compile the kernel.

The kernel you using has built in ntfs support (or you have the module than). I would honestly try compiling you kernel as fast as possible. It only gets easier with time. The first time will be a few hours probably. I read through the help files for every single option, sat there until 4 in the morning trying to get it to work. But it gets much easier with time. Takes me a good half hour now (mind you, my comp is quite fast so I can compile the kernel and modules in 10 minutes).
With lilo, or any boot loader, you also have the option of which kernel you want to use. So you can if your kernel doesn't work the first time, just reboot and choose your old kernel (the one that worked) and keep tweaking the new one. I always have my last used (or 2) completely stable/everything-working as a choice when I boot up, just in case my new one is screwed up for some reason. You can always just use the boot CD and just copy the kernel off that if need be too.

Lo there,

The Kernel Compile Guide for newbies thread is REALLY good. It worked with me from the first try, and i now understand it and can do it by my self.. So if you ever need to do so, just read the first thread there..

Its just Three steps really...
1- Edit your lilo so you have an entry for your current kernel, and your new one (incase something screws up and you want to get back to the old one)

2- Uncomment a line in your Makefile so it installs your new kernel to /boot

3- Follow the 8 steps needed to compile it.

and reboot... you dont even have to update lilo, as 'make install' will install it, copy it to your /boot, and update lilo for you...

My immediate need to read NTFS partition is resolved without compiling the kernel. So I will try the compile when version 2.6 is released. As it is my current kernel (2.4.22) is probably the latest stable version.

Good that your NTFS read works now..

On another note, you can always up from 2.4.22 to 2.4.23, or today's 2.4.24 I wouldnt try 2.6 till it goes to atleast 2.6.5 or 2.6.6, that way they would have gotten rid of a few bugs, etc...