[Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

blampars · 2009-02-19 01:57:38

Got my new 500gb Calvary external drive today!

I booted my gparted live cd and formated the drive ext3 and with a small 30gb ntfs partition, the only problem is that while both partitions mount with no problems, I have no write capability to the ext3 partition. I've checked my permissions and everything is ok there. Meanwhile, I can read and write to my ntfs partition with no problems at all.

The other thing I noticed that was quite odd was when checking the ext3 partitions properties, it states that 22.0gb is used. I don't understand that as there is not a single byte of data on the drive yet...

any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated,
-b

Last edited by blampars (2009-02-19 11:01:33)

Ranguvar · 2009-02-19 01:59:13

Odd. Can you write to the ext3 drive as root? Can you post a log of commands you used to make the filesystem, mount it, etc?
And what's the error you get (none?)?

blampars · 2009-02-19 02:17:27

Ranguvar wrote:

Odd. Can you write to the ext3 drive as root? Can you post a log of commands you used to make the filesystem, mount it, etc?
And what's the error you get (none?)?

Didn't think to try writing to the partition as root. As it turns out, I can.
Unfortunately I didn't save the log file from gparted live cd when I formated the drive for the ext3 and ntfs partitions.
As normal user, I get the basic:

cp: cannot create regular file `/media/external/.conkyrc': Permission denied

And as far as mounting goes, it's auto mounted at startup with gnome.

-b

Last edited by blampars (2009-02-19 02:18:25)

ataraxia · 2009-02-19 03:35:27

You probably just need to change the permissions on the top level of the ext3 filesystem with an ordinary chown and/or chmod so your regular user can write to it.

Ranguvar · 2009-02-19 04:06:53

This may also be if your user is not in the storage group (try this after ataraxia's suggestion, I don't know what the symptoms of not being in the storage group are, it's a guess).

blampars · 2009-02-19 11:00:35

fixed it with chown

any ideas though why a fresh format would state there is 22.0gb in use? I don't understand that at all.
-b

ataraxia · 2009-02-19 16:32:16

22 GB used seems weird to me. Why not just do another mkfs from inside Arch since there's nothing on it yet, and see if it comes out better this time?

blampars · 2009-02-19 16:38:08

you know I didnt think about using mkfs from arch to be honest. My first thought has always been the gparted cd i've got.

i'll try that out over the weekend and let you all know how it works out

thanks for the help all, its always greatly appreciated
-b

Nezmer · 2009-02-19 17:41:09

blampars wrote:

you know I didnt think about using mkfs from arch to be honest. My first thought has always been the gparted cd i've got.
i'll try that out over the weekend and let you all know how it works out
thanks for the help all, its always greatly appreciated
-b

EXT filesystems preserve 5% for the super user by default . If you're not planning to install an OS in the partition , just set the preserved percentage to zero .

 tune2fs -m 0 /dev/sdaX

blampars · 2009-02-19 18:36:47

EXT filesystems preserve 5% for the super user by default . If you're not planning to install an OS in the partition , just set the preserved percentage to zero .
 tune2fs -m 0 /dev/sdaX

And I learn something more every day, cool.

I assume then that i should run 'tune2fs -m 0 /dev/sdax' after I format the drive? I'm thinking running this would remove the reservation of 22.0gb I'm seeing after the format, right? Or would I run this first in preparation of formating?

Nezmer · 2009-02-19 23:19:27

blampars wrote:

I assume then that i should run 'tune2fs -m 0 /dev/sdax' after I format the drive? I'm thinking running this would remove the reservation of 22.0gb I'm seeing after the format, right? Or would I run this first in preparation of formating?

tune2fs is used with existing ext2/3/4 partitions . You can tune your filesystem without reformat .

Note that some space is reserved for the journal in ext3/4 so there is no way you'll end up with 100% free space .

Arch Linux

#1 2009-02-19 01:57:38

[Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#2 2009-02-19 01:59:13

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#3 2009-02-19 02:17:27

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#4 2009-02-19 03:35:27

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#5 2009-02-19 04:06:53

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#6 2009-02-19 11:00:35

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#7 2009-02-19 16:32:16

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#8 2009-02-19 16:38:08

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#9 2009-02-19 17:41:09

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#10 2009-02-19 18:36:47

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

#11 2009-02-19 23:19:27

Re: [Solved] Can't write to ext3 external drive partition

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