Seeing Linux as a "Drive" from Windows OS on a dual boot System

teclipse · 09-29-2003, 09:21 AM

I need some help... I am in the process of migrating a Linux Server with Qmail to another Server. I want to Backup everything onto a USB Busslink Drive Prior to making the move.

Here is the Question.

How can I see the Linux information in Windows so that I may use the Backup software to copy the Data to the USB Drive?

Is there any Freeware install that will allow me to see the linux data as a Drive?

Toker · 09-29-2003, 09:32 AM

I asked this question over at MandrakeExpert when I was partitioning new drives. Although it won't help you too much with drives that are already formatted in a different filesystem, you could (with enough room,) format a new drive and move all the stuff in a "three-point" move. (Old drive -> Middle drive -> New drive)

Here's what I was told:

If you store your data on NTFS, you can read them from Linux, but not write to
them (the option is present in the kernel configuration, but that's still
experimental (= very dangerous)).

If you store your data on ext2, you can read them from MS using for example
the free ltool software (don't expect Microsoft to provide you with something
that would admit that there are other OS's in this world). There is a write
option, but I wouldn't take a chance using it (too dangerous).

If you had a FAT32 partition, you could read/write from both Microsoft and
Linux. However, I did try that in the past but finally got rid of the
partition because I was spending all my time trying defragmenting it.

I would suggest you to put your data on NTFS. You will have full read access
from Linux, much better that ltool can provide for reading ext2 from NTFS.

david_ross · 09-29-2003, 09:35 AM

Welcome to LQ.

Take a look at:
http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/explore2fs.htm

snerfu · 09-29-2003, 10:05 AM

I agree that explore2fs would be the best way to do this. However when I used it two years ago or so it was prone to locking the desktop up randomly. Just be patient with it.

david_ross · 09-29-2003, 10:19 AM

teclipse, In response to your mail - I assume it will perform the task as advertised. If you are unsure then the safest way would be to create a vfat/fat32 parititon which can be read/wrriten to by either OS. If you are on a large scale network -I find it funny htat you don't have a forma of backup that would suffice in the meantime.