How to make read-only file system writable?

Question

I am not sure since when the filesystem on my digital audio player has been changed to be read-only. I cannot copy files into it or remove files on it.

Are there some possible reasons for the player's file system to change the permission of its file system?
I tried chmod:
```
$ sudo chmod a+rw SGTL\ MSCN/ 
chomd: changing permissions of `SGTL MSCN/': Read-only file system
```
where "SGTL MSCN" is the mounted point of the digital audio player.

I was wondering how to make it writable?

Thanks and regards!

Thanks! I already tried that, and same output. I will add this to my post.
Could you also add brand of the player? :) searching 'SGTL MSN' actually ONLY brings up this topic :D If you are really unlucky it's the device that's bugged: as a last(!) resort reset the player. But only when you do not get any good anwsers soon(ish) :)

Lekensteyn · Answer 1 · 2011-06-07 20:28:41Z

If a filesystem has been mounted read-only, chmod will not work since it's a write operation too.

Try remounting it read-write:

sudo mount -o remount,rw '/media/SGTL MSCN'

If the device has a write lock on it (like SD memory cards), you need to turn it off. Hardware locks cannot be disabled by software.

Tarun · Answer 2 · 2011-06-07 23:14:56Z

And in case it is a fixed drive and not a removable drive add the entry permanently.

sudo vi /etc/fstab

add an entry in the form of
<file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>

mount -a

2 Answers