a 2nd HDD on linux?

setlec_seta · 08-27-2007, 10:50 PM

Hello there,

i would like to know how could i make my user be able to write on my 2 HDD that will host some videos and music files?

I've edited the mtab like that:

Code:

/dev/sdb5 /media/multimedia ext3 rw 0 0

but i can only write on it with root acces how to make it writable with a non root account?

thanks

kilgoretrout · 08-28-2007, 12:12 AM

With the sdb5 partition mounted, run as root:

# chmod -R 777 /media/multimedia

That will give all users rwx permissions on sdb5.

binary_y2k2 · 08-28-2007, 07:45 AM

I would just create a group (say "users) and then, once mounted, run

Code:

chgrp users /media/multimedia
chmod -R 775

then add all the users you want to have access to the "users" group. Rather than just allowing all to read/write without restriction.
Both these solutions will work for you, just pick the one with the "best fit" for you.

pixellany · 08-28-2007, 08:05 AM

You don't want to edit /etc/mtab---that is the file that shows--post-facto--how things actually got mounted. Edit /etc/fstab to control mounting.

setlec_seta · 08-28-2007, 10:26 AM

i've a new problem related with this topic... when i try to mount the /media/multimedia, i got this message:

Code:

setlec@ruthlessearth:~$ sudo mount /media/multimedia/
Cannot create link /etc/mtab~
Perhaps there is a stale lock file?

what is going on? i can't figure it aout...

cheer

pixellany · 08-28-2007, 02:43 PM

HMMM---why would "mount" be trying to create a link?

Do you already have an entry in /etc/fstab for /media/multimedia? If so, please post it here. Also, before trying to mount, just issue the "mount" command with no arguments to be sure the thing is not already mounted.

setlec_seta · 08-28-2007, 03:07 PM

well i edited the fstab and deleted the entry from mtab, that have solved my problem...

thanks anyway

WAJEDUR REHMAN · 08-28-2007, 03:12 PM

Hi setlec seta
Edit /etc/fstab Try
/dev/sdb5 /media/multimedia ext3 auto,umask=0 0 0

setlec_seta · 08-30-2007, 11:50 AM

small question what does the umask do?

kilgoretrout · 08-30-2007, 12:39 PM

In general, umask sets the default permissions on newly created files. It has particular relevance for setting the rw permissions on FAT32 or vfat filesystems. Unlike native linux filesystems, FAT32 has no native rwx permission structure. However, everything in linux must have rwx permissions. In order to get around this problem, linux grafts or superimposes rwx permissions onto FAT32 filesystems when they are mounted. The internally set umask default rwx perms for FAT32 are generally set to read only. To get around that, you have to reset the umask value in the fstab entry for a FAT32 filesystem. It's the only way to change permissions on FAT32.
For native linux filesystems, umask options inserted fstab are not used or needed. You change the rwx permissions on a native linux partitions by using the chmod command to reset the permissions on the partition mount point which must be done with the partition mounted. This method will not work with FAT32 due to the limitations of that filesystem.