partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

geotri314 · 2010-06-08 20:49:00

Hi guys. i am quite new to linux and i wanna do this thing: i wanna install on my pc both windows and arch linux but i also want to have a partition in which both the operational systems can have read/write access. ie: i wanna have 60 GBs for windows, 60 Gbs for Arch linux (both / and /home) and another 120 GBs for something where i can store things that i can handle regardless the os, so as to avoid buying an external hdd. is something like this possible, and if yes what should i be doing during the installation? i ve already googled it in various ways, but i havent found something explanatory enough. i am sorry for bothering you and thank you for your time.

anonymous_user · 2010-06-08 20:57:33

Just format the partition you want to share as NTFS. Or what are you asking exactly?

geotri314 · 2010-06-08 21:02:38

wow, that was big time foolishness of me! havent thought of that. thanks. i will go and and kill myself with a hammer now...

fsckd · 2010-06-08 21:04:13

pics or it didn't happen

ewaller · 2010-06-08 21:06:21

This is an easy one -- sort of.

Create a partition on the drive that is in a format that is recognized by both file systems (generally NTFS or FAT) .
Windows will find and mount the partition automatically.
Linux can mount the volume in a variety of ways. The easiest is to create an /etc/fstab entry. Alternately, hal and any of the GUI partition mount tools will do the trick.
I assume you intend to boot one OS or the other, not through some sort of Virtualization where both OSs are running and volume is shared
Traditionally, FAT32 has been the most compatible with both OSs. FAT32 has a problem with file permissions on Linux, so it is best to to create a huge shared disk. I prefer a smaller disk that the world can share.

NTFS has diminishing problems with Linux compatibility. Read access is stable. Write access is getting pretty good -- but I wouldn't trust it with critical data.

One can get ext2/3/4 drivers for Windows so that it can mount Linux partitions. I don't like this solution because it exposes my Linux files to the whims of whatever infectious things have infested Windows. I prefer that Windows remain in ignorant bliss as to the existence of files on my Linux file system.

If you are running a virtual machine (say XP under VMplayer), it is best to set up a virtual network and share via Windows Shares / Samba.

geotri314 · 2010-06-08 21:09:26

so, ntfs have write problems and fat32 permission problems? which one should i choose?

fsckd · 2010-06-08 21:10:23

@ewaller

What ext4 drivers exist for windows?* My previous comment is now retroactively redirected to you.

* This is a serious question.

Last edited by fsckd (2010-06-08 21:10:46)

anonymous_user · 2010-06-08 21:18:39

@geotri314 - I've had no problems with NTFS on Linux using the ntfs-3g driver. Also if it helps you decide, FAT32 has a file size limit of ~4GB.

@ewaller - Even if you can get Windows to read a ext4 partition, what about writes? Perhaps the OP wants to transfer files from Windows to Linux.

geotri314 · 2010-06-08 21:23:10

ok the 4GB issue made me positive for NTFS. thank you guys.

ewaller · 2010-06-08 22:46:18

fsckd wrote:

@ewaller
What ext4 drivers exist for windows?* My previous comment is now retroactively redirected to you.

I may be mistaken on ext4. My notes are at home. I am at $DAYJOB right now. Let me get back to you.

Arch Linux

#1 2010-06-08 20:49:00

partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#2 2010-06-08 20:57:33

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#3 2010-06-08 21:02:38

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#4 2010-06-08 21:04:13

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#5 2010-06-08 21:06:21

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#6 2010-06-08 21:09:26

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#7 2010-06-08 21:10:23

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#8 2010-06-08 21:18:39

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#9 2010-06-08 21:23:10

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

#10 2010-06-08 22:46:18

Re: partition accessed by both arch and windows...?

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