Can I access to files created on windows XP ?

Didier · 01-05-2008, 12:51 PM

Hello,

I've just installed a linux distibution (Simply Mepis) on my primary hard drive. But I have personnal datas and pictures on my second hard drive which I created on windows XP.

Is it possible to access to these files from linux system ?
PS : When I search files on hdb1, I can't find my files

Thank you if you can help me

Didier

pixellany · 01-05-2008, 01:00 PM

Most modern Linux distros will read and write NTFS by default. You may have to mount the drive (partition) first.

In a terminal:
cd to /mnt and see if a mount point is already setup (It sounds like it is). For the following, assume the mountpoint is named "hdb1"

"mount" to see if it is already mounted.

"mount hdb1" to mount it

"cd hdb1", and then "ls" to view the contents.

In the GUI, if you get an icon for hdb1, you might be able to mount it by right-clicking and selecting "mount".

pixellany · 01-05-2008, 01:11 PM

PS:

On my system (PCLOS2007), I can't mount in the GUI by going to /mnt. But--in My Computer --> Media, there are icons for all detected partitions. Here, I can mount using rt-click. Only problem is the partitions are only identified by size---so I cant tell which is which**. One demerit for PCLOS (or maybe KDE??)---or just another example of how some things are easier in a terminal.

**To be fair, I have many partitions of similar size (See "Confessions of a Distro-hopper"..

) Even so, listing things only by size is dumb.

Didier · 01-05-2008, 04:11 PM

Thanks for your answer. I just realised that I made a big mistake. In fact, when I installed linux on hdba, the partitions have been formated also on hdb. I think I lost all my datas on hdb. But there is something I don't understand because my hdb sizes 20 GB and linux created 3 partitions which total size is 12.79 GB. Is there any chance that the difference could be my datas ? How can I check that ? if the worst happened, is there a way to get back my datas ?

pixellany · 01-05-2008, 07:34 PM

First, do not write anything to any disk until this is resolved. If there IS a chance of recovery, it will be compromised by any writes.

To confirm what partitions are where, open a terminal and enter "su" to become root, then enter "fdisk -l". (both without the quotes, lower case L, not one) Post the results here.

unSpawn · 01-06-2008, 06:22 AM

This thread should be closed. The OP opted for making a new thread for the topic here: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...-linux-611479/.

Didier · 01-06-2008, 10:49 AM

I went back to Gparted to recount the size of my partitions on hdb and it appears that my HDD was totally formated in 2 parts : hdb1 and hdb2 (previously, I didn't count hdb1, that's why I thougt there was a difference). As you told me, I did also fdisk -l on the terminal and it confirmes the same thing.
Is there any possibility to recover my files ? I write nothing on hdb

pixellany · 01-06-2008, 11:11 AM

Please don't keep bouncing between two threads---I will reply in the other one.

Tinkster · 01-06-2008, 02:39 PM

Please post your thread in only one forum. Posting a single thread in the most relevant forum will make it easier for members to help you and will keep the discussion in one place. This thread is being closed because it is a duplicate.

Follow-ups to the original, please...

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...-linux-611479/