I've searched the prior posts regarding File Permissions and couldn't get a solution. This dispite having tried what was logical as the solutions.

Configuration: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, Boot from flash drive. recently installed hardrive in Laptop. Only flash has operating system on it. The problem does not seem to manifest coping to the Laptops internal drive.

Occassionaly I use a Toshiba 1Tb USB Backup Drive and this is where the problem is.

Copied folder with files from the flash drive to the Toshiba.

The copy process resulted in the creation of a folder on the Toshiba with files in it. Can play video files located there but unable to open .pdf files.

Error is: You don't have permission to open this file. (I believe that is what it says.) The .pdf file came from over the Internet so I'm not the author.


Tried to use the file system interface, (I use the default that comes with Ubuntu- Nautilus?), tried to use the system to change permissions and ownership through- Properties, permissions. When I change the owner, group, or access property it simply changes back to what it was. I am the admin on this system.

I've downloaded the User Guide for Slackware and started reading Permissions but so far can't change the properties of a file so that I can open it after copying to the Toshiba.

I have not tried the command line method from >terminal. Don't understand the structure.

For explanation purposes the location parameters would be: "drivename", "folder", "filename.pdf"

I have a simiar problem with an iPod. I get the- don't have permission to place audio files on the device type error. The Amarok interface finds the device but I can't place files on it.

On a personal basis I'm running out of "process creation-execution resources" and wonder if installing a different file manager would make sense.

Thanks for the assistance and if your into Tube Amp builds try el34world.com forum. They are as good at that as you guys are with Linux.

Fusionstate.

fusionstate wrote:
II'd suggest learning the rudiments of using the command line. Most folks here that can help you out will need you to enter commands from said command line. I say that because of this other item you wrote:

My first response would be to have you look at the permissions with the command. Without knowing what the operating system has for perms on a file, not much can be done. Even having the proper permissions, the .pdf file might be one of those that are signed and needs to have some sort of password before you can open it. You can retrieve this file:
http://www.tldp.org/LDP/Bash-Beginne...ners-Guide.pdf. That might be of use.

Do you by chance know what kind of file system is on the Toshiba drive? If it's FAT or NTFS, those don't support Linux permissions natively and may require special mount options to allow your user access to the files contaiend within.