Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 23914 2002-08-29 04:41:00 URGENT: Accessing a windows partition from Linux. nz_liam (845) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
74779 2002-08-29 04:41:00 I recently installed a new program on my win ME partition which causes windows to crash at startup, I can boot into safe mode and start system restore but that crashes too!

I need to backup my files so I can reload windows, however I can't access my network in safe-mode or use my laplink cable as all the com ports are disabled in safe-mode, I can't back up to cd either as safe-mode doesn't load my cd writer's drivers.

What I need to do I access my windows partition from linux, so I can move some files to my linux partition and then reload windows.

I run RedHat 7.3, how can I access my windows partition?


Thanks for the help

Liam. 		nz_liam (845)
74780 2002-08-29 05:04:00 Did you select access to the windows partition when you installed? If you don't remember, in a terminal window, do cat /etc/fstab which should tell you.

If you have an entry for it, you ought to be able to mount it (and it should be automatically mounted unless there is an option "noauto" in its fstab entry). If there is an entry, type "mount" and that will show you if it is mounted already.

Assuming it isn't listed, still in the terminal window, do fdisk
Just type "p" for a table of all the partitions. The MS one will be in the low numbers --- (linux will be partitions 5 and 5, most likely) so note down what hda partition it is, and its file type. Then type "q" to exit fdisk.
You should su to root. Then
mkdir /winME
chmod 755 /winME
mount -t FSTYPE -o ro /dev/hdaXX /winME
(XX is the partition number , FSTYPE is the filesystem type fdisk gave you, most likely be "vfat" )
And you should be there. After the first time, just use the mount command ... (you might want to add a line in /etc/fstab --- just copy the format of other partitions). 		Graham L (2)
74781 2002-08-29 05:14:00 I tried 'fdisk' and got : Usage: [-l] [-ssz] [-u] device
Then I tried 'fdsik p' and got: Unable to open p

I am logged into KDE as root, any suggestions?


Thanks

Liam 		nz_liam (845)
74782 2002-08-29 05:19:00 got it, typed fdisk /dev/hda

thanks 		nz_liam (845)
74783 2002-08-29 05:20:00 Aha -- try "fdisk /dev/hda". I assume you have only one HD, which is IDE interface ... Graham L (2)
74784 2002-08-29 05:21:00 oops saw the first and answered it ... Graham L (2)
74785 2002-08-29 05:28:00 THANKS heaps, you just saved my life (life without my files ain't worth living!).

I am copping my the files over now.

Again thanks for the prompt reply.


Cheers

Liam. 		nz_liam (845)
74786 2002-08-29 05:38:00 And while the files copy, work out how you would do the reverse operation in that fine, intuitive, Microsoft system. :D (Of course, Linux wouldn't lock you out so throroughly that you would need to). Graham L (2)
74787 2002-08-29 09:48:00 Cut me a bit of slack here. I like windows as much as you do :-) , that's why I brought a copy of RedHat 7.3

I am using Linux for most of my work now, but unfortunately I have to do things like my accounts on windows because they aren't yet supported by wine (maybe crossover office?).

While I'm tapping into you infinite linux wisdom I have a few more questions:
1. How do I change the names in the boot loader, I originally had "Windows Millennium" but want to shorten it to "Windows"?
2. Do you know of any 'Dreamweaver Like' web site apps for Linux?
3. Do you know of anyone running MYOB on linux?
4. Do you know if you can permanently set the text zoom on Mozilla 1.0 to 120% because at 100% its just too small on my monitor?


Thanks for your help.

Liam. 		nz_liam (845)
74788 2002-08-29 21:36:00 To change LILO go to System then Preferences. LILO or Boot Manager should be in there. Save the existing file for your Windows as .bak and then alter it to your new configuration.

Make sure you .bak the existing link to Windows! If something goes wrong you can still at least continue working with the old setting. 		Gorela (901)
1 2 3