Problem with hdb1

I think i had that problem once. I've learned to use a fat32 file system instead of ext3. try using qtparted to change from ext3 to fat32 and see if you have any problems. it also can be used to swap files between linux and windows and store windows files as well. i use mine for windows xp backup and i also keep a copy of my user file from the home file in mepis.i also put my pics and documents there so i can access them no matter what OS i'm using, it saves me from having to switch back and fourth between OS's. GOOD LUCK!

That aside, I do not recommend that you use FAT32 unless you want to share files between Windows and Linux systems.

It may be that /dev/hdb1 is not clean - i.e. the system crashed or was turned off while it is mounted. In this case, it may only mount "read only". You should get a "read only filesystem" message when you try to write to it.

Anyway, here's what I suggest:

umount /dev/hdb1 [this is important!]
fsck -y /dev/hdb1
mount /dev/hdb1

Then see if you can access it read/write.

if its currently read only copy the files there to a new folder and then move them back afters. even on read only you should be able to copy because its just reading. in fat32 you don't get permission problems there just kept as normal files,like in windows.

This may help you.
I have a partition on hdb that I use for music/video and it can be accessed by all users.
My fstab has this:
# Static entries below, do not use 'users' option in this area
/dev/hdb9 / ext3 defaults,noatime 1 1
none /proc proc defaults 0 0
none /proc/bus/usb usbfs devmode=0666 0 0
none /dev/pts devpts mode=0622 0 0
none /sys sysfs defaults 0 0
/dev/hdb6 /home ext3 defaults,noatime 1 2
/dev/hdb7 /mnt/hdb7 ext3 auto,users,exec 0 0
/dev/hda5 /mnt/hda5 vfat auto,users,exec,umask=000,shortname=mixed,quiet 0 0
# Dynamic entries below, identified by 'users' option
/dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1 ntfs noauto,users,exec,ro,umask=0222 0 0
/dev/hdb1 /mnt/hdb1 reiserfs noauto,users,exec,noatime,notail 0 0
/dev/hdb2 swap swap sw,pri=1 0 0
/dev/hdb3 /mnt/hdb3 reiserfs noauto,users,exec,noatime,notail 0 0
/dev/hdb5 /mnt/hdb5 ext3 noauto,users,exec 0 0
/dev/hdb8 /mnt/hdb8 reiserfs noauto,users,exec,noatime,notail 0 0
/dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom udf,iso9660 noauto,users,dev,ro 0 0
/dev/cdrom1 /mnt/cdrom1 udf,iso9660 noauto,users,dev,ro 0 0
/dev/floppy /mnt/floppy vfat,ext2,hfsplus noauto,users,dev 0 0
The key one is hdb7 that is in the static entry.
Whether this is "safe or correct" I don't know, but you will be able to access the partition as user and any other user too.
So you would have to put your hdb1 into the static section and make the other changes ie noauto to auto

anticapitalista

Philosophers have interpreted the world in many ways; the point is to change it.