Accessing files on another disk partition from Linux

[Joe W]

Hello, I am new to the boards along with Linux. I am hoping that Linux will become a large part of my computer expierence and time. I have been doing some rather interesting things with it but I came into my first large problem that I have not been able to solve for days, Here goes... :)

I have a proftpd server running for a personal hobby and noticed that a large amount of files I needed were on my windows side partition(ME). I got this tutoriol from from LinuxNewbie.Org about how to do this, but I am new as I said before and cannot find this information...For one...I am not aware of what the term ABSOLUTE PATH means, as well as what it does...

The directions told me to add the line:

/dev/hda1/mnt/windows auto user,defaults 0 0

Into the file, and I did so using the VI text editor. I also had to create a folder in my /mnt dir. called Windows (by my choice). Now when I click RESCAN DEVICES on my GNOME desktop, a new disk appears as DISK 0...However when I click on it an error message dialog comes up stating:

mount: /dev/hda already mounted or /mnt/windows busy


If there is something I could have done wrong in the process, all replys are most appreciated. Thank you and I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the Linux society.

Joe W
Fresno, CA

[DaMasta]

What happens when you just type (as root): mount -t vfat /dev/hda1 /mnt/Windows?

[bdg1983]

Yes, try as DaMasta suggested using the commandline/xterm.

Already mounted? Also try

cd /mnt/windows
ls -l

if nothing, then

cd /
mount /mnt/windows
cd /mnt/windows
ls -l

[Joe W]

Alright, well when i try both the suggested steps you give me, i get the same message about it being already mounted or busy...In the fstab file it looks like it should, and the last line reads:

/dev/hda1 mnt/windows auto user,defaults 0 0

But what makes me curious and I could be wrong, but the first line in there reads:

#LOOP1: /dev/hda1 vfat /redhat.img

Is it saying it's busy because Linux is useing it already?

[Joe W]

Also, another error I saw was:

line 8 in /etc/fstab is bad mount: can't find /mnt/windows in /etc/stab or /etc/mtab

[bdg1983]

Post line 8 in /etc/fstab so we can have a look. Better still, post the whole fstab.

#LOOP1: /dev/hda1 vfat /redhat.img

'#' is commented out.