Every time I format my computer and reinstall UBUNTU, I just tend to forget a too easy process of auto mounting the extra partitions created during the installation. So for my own sake I am logging this down but you are also free to use it when you are stuck too.
PROCESS ONE (Short)
This is the process I use to auto mount a partition in ubuntu. Open terminal and type the following terminal codes as mentioned below.
Step1: To create the folder mount point DATA →
Terminal Code:
sudo mkdir /media/DATAStep2: To get all permission of your folder (here username will be your username) →
Terminal Code:
sudo chown -R username:username /media/DATA/Step3: Now open Disk Utility. Suppose you are in ubuntu 11.04 (Natty) or 11.10 (Oneiric) search for “Disk Utility” in the applications. Here you will find your partition details which are required in the next step. Like I now know that I need to mount (a)/dev/sda5 and file system is (b)ext4 as per below pic.
Step4: Again paste following code and press enter →
Terminal Code:
sudo gedit /etc/fstabStep5: Your Fstab file will be open now. Add in Fstab the following code in the last line →
Fstab Code:
/dev/sda5 /media/DATA ext4 defaults 0 0For additional information regarding “defaults“*, “0 0“** & “Fstab“+ syntax see post info below.
Step6: Save file and close.
Step7: You can now use →
Terminal Code:
sudo mount -aOR just restart your computer.
PROCESS TWO (With backup)
The above process suits me, but there are many other processes, another common process is this one.
Step1: Open your terminal, paste and press enter →
Terminal Code:
sudo mkdir /media/DATAStep2: Enter the next code to get all permission of your folder →
Terminal Code:
sudo chown -R username:username /media/DATA/Step3: Additional step for permission issues of your folder →
Terminal Code:
sudo chmod -R 755 /media/DATAStep4: Now find your partition name* →
Terminal Code:
sudo fdisk -l
Step5: To get the file system-type open application Gparted and view the details, like if it is ext3, ext4 etc. If you do not have it installed use following command →
Terminal Code:
sudo apt-get install gpartedStep6: Paste following command to keep a backup of your fstab file →
Terminal Code:
sudo cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab.backupStep7: Paste following command →
Terminal Code:
sudo gedit /etc/fstabStep8: In the open Fstab file, add the following code in the end →
Fstab Code:
/dev/sda5 /media/DATA ext4 defaults 0 0Step9: Save & close file.
Step10: Use this command →
Terminal Code:
sudo mount -aYour partition should be mounted now.
PROCESS THREE (GUI)
Those who love graphical user interface or is afraid of using the terminal and don’t want to manually edit the system files just go for this gui tool to manage your partitions, try Pysdm.
Option1: Search for “pysdm” in the ubuntu software center. It is there in the name “Storage Device Manager”. Just hit the install button. Now use the application.
Option2: Or you can also install “pysdm” from terminal directly with this command →
Terminal Code:
sudo apt-get install pysdmPROCESS FOUR (For windows ntfs)
Suppose case1> you are dual booting with windows and you need to mount a windows partition or case2> you just have a windows NTFS partition that you did not format during installation.
Step1: First install ntfs-3g driver →
Terminal Code:
sudo apt-get install ntfs-3gStep2: Then, create the mount point for that device like in the above processes →
Terminal Code:
sudo mkdir /media/winstoreStep3: Not going into details about finding the partition informations. Please check PROCESS 1 > Step3 or PROCESS 2 > Step4 above which you will now require in the next step.
Step4: Open /etc/fstab file for editing →
Terminal Code:
sudo gedit /etc/fstabStep5: Add the following code below the last part of the file →
Fstab Code:
/dev/sda7 /media/winstore ntfs-3g defaults 0 0Step6: Save and close file.
Step7: Open terminal and issue this command →
Terminal Code:
sudo mount -aPOST INFO:
* Fstab “defaults“: You can also use rw,exec,auto,nouser,async in place of it. And tweak the Fstab configurations as required by you.
** Fstab “0 0“: You can use “0 2” to display disk errors while booting up.
*** You can also use partition identifier instead of partition name for specific reasons, i.e the UUID in /etc/fstab. If you need this process just check this link.
+ Syntax of a fstab entry:
[Device] [Mount Point] [File System Type] [Options] [Dump] [Pass]
MORE INFO
If you are interested to learn more and want to go deep into this, visit these links for more detail in the ubuntuforums and help.ubuntu.com
One Comment
If navigating to a partition’s mount point seems inconvenient, even with the links on the left of Gnome’s file browser, a link can be placed on the desktop, or anywhere else, for that matter.