problems with fstab
 

Want to mount a disk so that all users can access it i.e. write to it
but when i put it in /etc/fstab it only lets root write to the disk how can i get around this so that any user can write to it, as I specify

You should only need to add this: umask=000
For example I had a windows partition on a dual boot with a stanza like this:
/dev/hda1 /windows vfat defaults,umask=000 1 0

The umask=000 tells it to give 777 permissions for files on that partition. This not wise for the root system. The 777 should be a separate place for "common" items. Otherwise it's a real security hazard. Windows is a security hazard so it gets 777 permissions ;)

" chown myusr:mygroup", "chmod g+w"
 

Hi -

You mount your disk (e.g. "/dev/hda4") to some "mount point" (e.g. "/mnt/mystuff").

Make sure your mount point has user, group and access permissions set for read/write ("chown" and "chmod" commands).

It's probably a Bad Idea to give universal read/write access to your root ("/") directory: the "/" directory should ONLY be writeable by the "root" user.

'Hope that helps .. PSM