I just switched distributions to Debian. I'm trying to set up fstab to auto-mount my windows partition to /media/winc. It works fine, but only root has read/write permissions. No other users can even see the contents. I want normal users to have read-write as well. I've done this many times before, but it isn't working for me now. Here are the options I'm using:
Any Ideas?

In the options field, add this:
umask=000

This is easy to remember, and works. The downside of using this one, is that every file gets execute permissions, and thats not a good thing. Therefore I recall someone who said the fmask and dmask would be better suiting (file/directory mask) to use as you can have different mask for files and folders. That way you can have all rights to the folders, and limited rights to the files.

fmask=111,dmask=111

If you use this instead of umask, the files are not executable. Files got permission rw- and folders rwx. It's convenient to use in fstab, but PITA when you mount manually.

Edit:
Uhm. If you're unsure of what field is the options field, this is your complete line to add in the fstab:
/dev/hda2 /media/winc ntfs defaults,fmask=111,dmask=111 0 0

You can also chown -R the directory and then mount it by putting these options in fstab:
defaults,rw,nls=utf8,gid=1000,uid=1000,umask=0022

The umask option let me view the contents, but I cannot write as a normal user or root. Operation not permitted.

Oh, of course. You have to use ntfs-3g and fuse to get write permission to NTFS.

Got it working now. Thanks.

I was tempted to start a new thread but this seems appropriate. I run dual boot Vista/debian lenny and have just created a small FAT32 partition as a Linux/Windows interface, my fstab is:

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
/dev/sda4 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro 0 1
/dev/sda6 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/scd0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user,noauto 0 0
/dev/sda5 /home/dos msdos user,noauto 0 0

My permissions are fine. Only trouble is: I have to mount sda5 manually- instinct tells me that I should erase/replace (Foo Fighters are great aren't they?) the noauto but I've got the thing working so I don't want to mess it up unless someone wiser than I can guide me a little.

I'm also a bit freaked out by the fact that, before I mount the partition, /home/dos has a few files in it that I put in just after I did mkdir dos and before I got fstab sorted- then they disappear when the partition is mounted and I see what I expected, ie files created in both Windows and Linux. Only to come back again after unmount.

This partition is accessible in both media and home/dos after mounting- is this normal or have I created a monster?

I don't have to solve this but would like to learn how so any comments will be most welcome- Phil

Yes, get rid of the "noauto", you shouldn't use that unless you want to prevent partitions from being mounted automatically. The option is used most often for floppies and cds.

Those files disappearing is perfectly normal. When you mount a partition on a mount point, it places itself over anything that was already there. When it gets unmounted, the files reappear. The best option is not to store anything at all in a directory that serves as a mount point.

Neither is there anything freaky about the partition being accessible from two places. It is just what happens when you use the "noauto" option.

And you may want to modify your file system type. msdos is used for floppies, if it's really a fat32 partition, you should use vfat instead.

followed your suggestion jay73, job done. Thank you!- Phil