Why can't I change ownership of files/directories in Debian Linux?
 

When I try to execute chown on files/directories, I am treated to the error message 'Operation not permitted'. This occurs regardless of whether I am logged on as root. I am attempting to do this on a drive that is used as a Samba share, if that makes any difference.

Hmm, how do you mount the drive? Also, the drive is on your computer or on another? And, what distro/OS you use in the box that has the drive?

I think remount your drive with Read/Write permissions........

Actually, it depends on the server of the filesystem. Root may be denied access by the server.