Backing up Windows stuff into Linux
 

Now, be very gentle, I'm a a virtual :newbie: to Linux - I hadn't realised it would be soooo different to Win XP!

Commands to type, which prog to I type them in - I was looking for Linux equivalent of DOS prompt? - There, you see what a basic stage I'm at. :scratch:

Windows is on C drive, my old HDD (not a partition) this was showing as D drive in XP , then formatted for Red Hat Linux 9 and installed successfully.

I want to back-up my windows stuff. MP3, word files etc onto the Linux drive - How do I get Linux to see Windows and vice versa? I went into add/remove and came across Samba, which I installed, but could not obviously see it :mad:

I dabbled (for only a few days) with another version of Linux in past (gave up) and that was on a partition of same HDD at that time, I managed to see win XP files of Word etc and vice versa, so I know it can be done easily, I'm just missing something no doubt VERY simple.

Once I can get past these basics, I should be OK, but if I can't grasp these, then I'm onto a loser :cry:

I know somewhere I need to put "hda" into the equation, I'm fairly sure my Windows Xp HDD is Hda0 and Linux on HDA1, but then again, I'm probably wrong - I need some friendy help from:Pengy:

Please can you just give a bit of basic guidance on these matters

Cheers

Are you still using Redhat 9.0? If you do, try to look for a program called "Terminal" from the menu. It should be under "System (something)" (sorry I forgot :D ) Then a windows which looks much like M$DOS command prompt appears. You type your commands there.

I am not sure whether Redhat recognizes NTFS( supposed your XP is formatted as NTFS) by default. But you may try your luck by issuing the following commands on the terminal you have just opened.

$ su
password: (type your root password here)
# mkdir /mnt/ntfs
# mount -t ntfs /dev/hda1 /mnt/ntfs

If this fails, I am afraid you have to recompile your kernel to enable NTFS reading.But if this passes safely, proceed with:

# ls /mnt/ntfs

You should be able to see your files in C: listed.
Copy files like this:

# cp /mnt/ntfs/filename directory-in-linux

After you are done.

# umount /mnt/ntfs
# exit

to return to your normal prompt.

p/s There will never be hda0, coz it starts with 1 ;)

Hi Jingleman

Linux sees your IDE drives like this

/dev/hda .drive on Primary Master
/dev/hdb .drive on primary slave
/dev/hdc .drive on secondary master
/dev/hdd .drive on secondary slave

You'll need to download an RPM for Red Hat 9 to read NTFS - Red Hat has liscence issues with the Linux NTFS drivers.

supposing NTFS was on /dev/hda1 and the mount point was /mnt/jingle ..... then for a temporary mount try this

mount -t ntfs -o ro /dev/hda1 /mnt/jingle

Skyline & Koyi,

Thanks very much for your replies :)

I'll try them out what you say a little later on.

Koyi - Yes, I agree, Penguins are beautiful creatures :Pengy:

RPM to add NTFS support to RedHat.
http://linux-ntfs.sourceforge.net/

To install a RPM, open a terminal window and use the following syntax:
I prefer faithful companions on the journey beyond the Gates of limitations.

Actually, to install the NTFS RPM you should follow the directions from that website link. Its not as easy as one command. You may have to tweak a few things.