How do you transfer files between Linux and WinXP?

jacatone · 01-21-2009, 03:58 AM

I've got a computer running Linux Mint 6 (Ubuntu 8.10) and another running WinXP. Been transfering files between them using flash drives which are formatted in FAT32. Transfering from XP to Linux seems to work OK, but not Linux to the flash drive. Is there some trick or hybrid format that will work for both? Thanks.

markush · 01-21-2009, 04:11 AM

Hi jacatone,

please explaine what exactly doesn't work.
Normally the only problem with fat32 is, that there are no permissions supported by this file-format. The result is, that every file you transfer from fat32 to linux is executable.
And (maybe) you musst be root to get writepermissions on fat32 with linux.

Markus

eco · 01-21-2009, 04:11 AM

Hi,

Linux does support FAT32 so you should have no problems using your flashdrive. Is the drive mounted before you try transfering data?

You can check if your drive is mounted by typing the following in the console after inserting the flashdisk:

Code:

$ df -Th

The above will show you the mounted partitions and the filesystem type. Look for fat or fat32 or vfat

You could also type the following:

Code:

$ mount

either one will show you if the flashdisk is mounted and where it is mounted.

In case it is not. look at the end of dmesg for the flashdisk and mount it yourself. Do this right after inserting the flashdisk

Code:

# dmesg|tail

you should see something like sdb1

Now mount it:

Code:

# mount -t vfat /dev/sdb1 /mnt

Now you can go to /mnt and find your data.

You can also try and install samba and get a windows share on your linux.

Best of luck.

Lee_Ball · 01-21-2009, 06:22 AM

It would be worth ensuring that you are unmounting the device when you have finished copying data to it. I had a problem where the data wasn't there even though Fedora thought it was and it hadn't updated the flash on the drive.

Worth a shot.