I am using Linux for the first time tonight. I figured formatting and only installing RH9 would force me to learn Linux.

I can't get this USB Hard Drive to mount... I don't even fully understand what [mount] does or how it works. I read [man 8 mount] and just confused me more.

Using Hardware Browser, I see my FugiFilm USB Drive listed as /dev/sda so I try this:

[cameron@pcp04030052pcs cameron]$ mount /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: only root can do that
[cameron@pcp04030052pcs cameron]$ mount /dev/sda sda1
mount: only root can do that
[cameron@pcp04030052pcs cameron]$ mount /dev/sda1 fugi
mount: only root can do that

Am I trying to mount it correctly?
Plus, why do I have to be root to mount a stupid drive?
Can I gain root access without logging off my [cameron] username?

Thank you so much in advance for any help offered!!

~ Cameron

Yes you can do 'su -l' that will make you root. When you logout from that
you'll go right back to your own user account.
'mount /dev/sda /mnt/sda' looks like the right command. Does the directory
/mnt/sda exist? If not do 'mkdir /mnt/sda' then run your mount command.
If you need more help let us know.

Michael

P.S. Welcome to Linux.

yes

type su

then when it prompts for password, enter root password

(do this in terminal window)

Thank you so much for the fast reply!

su -l worked great... Here's what I tried:

mount /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: you must specify the filesystem type

>> to learn about types:
man 8 mount

mount -t vfat /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sda,
or too many mounted file systems

>> Hardware Browser lists type on device as fat16:
mount -t fat16 /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: fs type fat16 not supported by kernel

So, I guess I just can't uses that drive on RH9....

~ Cameron

You need to specify a partition number.

Try

mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/sda

He's right. I did forget about the partition number. Also, concerning the
filesystem, has your USB drive been formated yet. If not, or if there is no
data on it, try 'fdisk /dev/sda'. Create a partition on the drive. Then try
'mkfs.ext3 /dev/sda1'. In the command I said partition 1, but
use what ever partition number you need should you make more than 1
partition.
If you need more help let me know.

$ mkdir /flash
$ mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /flash


^ I have a USB Key, and that is how I mount it in RH9.

Grr.... More trouble...

# mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/sda
mount: special device /dev/sda1 does not exist
# mount -t vfat /dev/sda /mnt/sda
mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sda,
or too many mounted file systems

Hardware Browser Image:
http://gocameron.com/public/Screenshot.png

This is so frustrating. I feel dumb because I can answer virtually any Windows question & here I can't even use a USB key. There is an active partition. This USB Key works fine on my WinXP PC and has files on it, so I don't want to format.

Are there any resources to aquaint Windows users with the [mount]ing procedures in Linux?
Is there a program that will automatically mount/unmount via GUI?

Thanks so much in advance!

~ Cameron

Hey cameron, What I am thinking is that you will need to change the filesystem from Fat16 if you want to use it with linux. I have done the same thing as you, I have removed windows and all NTFS filesystems from my computers. I am tryign to force myself to do linux also.

ANyways, my understanding of what Mount does is basicly "Link" a device to a 'Folder" on your HD.

This linux stuff is not as easy as Windows, i am still having a hard time understanding what Installing RPMs actually does and how to compile programs that I download.

PS. Cameron, do you have AIM, MSN, or Yahoo?

thanks

It might be just formated as FAT.
try:
mount -t auto /dev/sda1 /mnt/sda