I just learned that you can't write to NTFS from Linux. I'm wondering what M$ did that makes it difficult for the Linux developers to get around this problem.....

the newest kernel 2.6.* allows full read/write support to NTFS

Linux can write to ntfs, you just need the right ntfs for linux.

try http://linux-ntfs.sourceforge.net/

then check out

http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=linu...9008129720&w=2

for full instructions

How can you say NTFS is fully supported? It is possible to change existing files only if their length doesn't change. So you cannot even delete a file on NTFS. I wouldn't call this write access (maybe overwrite access). The only 'real' write access to my knowledge is with the captive-ntfs driver.

But I would be happy, if you prove I am wrong

I'm not sure how you want me to prove you wrong...all i know is that I compiled the 2.6.(8 i think) kernel on my laptop(arch linux) with read/write support built-in....its a feature in the kernel, and i was able to write files to my win2000 setup on partition1. I'm not sure what other information you want or that I can provide.

I think if you recompile your kernel(2.6.*) and enable this feature you will be able to do the same...give it a try.
I know it wasnt available in the 2.4.* kernel...thats the reason I used the 2.6.* kernel.

That's only a bit true. Actually you can only overwrite files with the exact same size. You can't delete or create files on an NTFS-disc. Though, I have tested captive and it can write to ntfs. But I heard some people having problem with it and that it's not too stable. So it still seems to be hard to fully control NTFS from Linux.

Then I could be wrong...I seem to remember after compiling a new kernel I was able to create a directory and a text file on my win2000 partition(ntfs). This stands out in my mind because it eliminated my need for an extra fat32 partition that was just used for transferring files between the 2. I guess it could have been one of those "I can finally completely migrate to Linux" dreams, I tend to have a lot of those...well anyway, good luck in finding your answer, I no longer have the arch linux setup with new kernel to test my theory, so I leave it in the hands of others.
-cheers

I just learned that you can't write to NTFS from Linux. I'm wondering what M$ did that makes it difficult for the Linux developers to get around this problem.....

All Microsoft did was write proprietary closed source code. That makes it really difficult for someone to reverse engineer the code and create support for Linux users. Just imagine how long and how much money MS spent writing this filesystem. Then imagine someone (working on their own time) trying to write the same code.

Think about how long reiserfs4 has been in development.

Also there is FULL r/w support for NTFS in Linux but you have to pay for it. I don't have the link but doing a google and you should be able to find it.

Its going to get worse when WINFS - the new M$ file system comes out - are we all doomed?

regards
Shelton.

Im just a noob here, but I havn't seen any problems with reading/writing from my NTFS partition on my dual boot system. I didn't do anything special, just mounted the partition and put a link on the Desktop like all the HOWTOs explain.

hehehe. Why are the newbs inadvertantly solving our problems?

Noobs rock, at least as long as I'm one.