Cannot read external hard disk folders created in Ubuntu

Question

I am experiencing a problem. I tried to plug in my external hard disk on Ubuntu. I copied in to it some folders (created on Ubuntu) with files in them.

Then, I plugged it on Windows and I wasn't able to copy or modify any of the copies folders or sub-folders. I could access my files (and modify them), but I couldn't modify or copy any of the folders or sub-folders.

I tried formatting my computer's and the external hard disk, that did not make a difference.

What should I do?

wimvds --> Thanks for your answer, first of all :) Yes! I did. I always use "Unmount" on linux as well as on windows...

Misery --> No errors are promoted during the copy process. What do you mean by saying "attributions"?? :/

Answer 1

As others have said this is file permissions.

Use Microsoft's "xcacls" (a downloadable tool by Microsoft for Windows sysadmins) because I believe it's a Windows issue. I used to see this on Windows Servers sometimes when the ACL (Access Control List) is borked.

Take ownership of everything (important) and then assign 'full control' access level.

You shouldn't have to do it each time.

Answer 2

There might be a problem with file permissions. Right click on the folder and choose "Properties" (in Windows) and see if you have permission to access it. If not, change the file permissions in Ubuntu.

Answer 3

What types of files are you trying to access from the windows machine? Have you tried copying those files using the windows cmd window? Try using chmod -r 777 on the folder in the hard drive. Also, have you tried zipping the folder on Ubuntu, then copying that file over to the external HDD? Also, have you done anything to the external HDD since you bought it? Maybe it has some type of copy protection mechanism.

Answer 4

On the Ubuntu machine, make sure you don't have it set to encrypt your home folder, and as to the Windows side, if you are admin, you shouldn't have any problems.

Answer 5

Ok, This most likely was your problem. When the USB was created it was made to only be compatible with Ubuntu (ext 2, ext 4, or encrypted). What you need to to to fix this problem is format the USB as 'FAT' compatible with all systems. This should solve you problem. I had this very dame problem.

Answer 6

It sounds like the NTFS read-only attribute has been set. Check in Windows that the files do not have the read-only attribute set. I've never seen this happen with an NTFS filesystem used under Ubuntu.

If it's ext2 or ext4, what ext driver have you installed to access the ext partition?

Answer 7

The file you copied might be encrypted or it could be what @Shannon_VanWagner posted...