In trying to share files with a M$ user, he brought over an external USB drive. He was unsure as to its format type. We plugged it into my SuSE 9.2 box (k2.6.10) and it popped up. I was able to grab files from it but in trying to write to it I was told that I couldn't b/c it's a Protocol Device. I tried to change the permissions, but I couldn't b/c it's a Protocol Device. I rebooted into Live MepisPRO 2005.4b, logged in as root, and it appeared to give me full permissions... except I still couldn't create a folder or write to it b/c, yep, it's a PROTOCOL DEVICE.

First, what does that mean?

Second, how do I get this to work? Could it be an issue if the drive was M$'s OTFS? (old technology file system) Do M$ permissions on a EIDE storage medium interfere/overlap/screw with *nix permissions?

M$ permissions should in no way affect linux. If the drive is formatted NTFS, you can't write to it (well, there are some narrow exceptions, but you'll basically need Captive NTFS).

would that explain the "protocol device" i.e. there is no valid protocol to write with?

hmm... thanks!!