Any linux bods out there??

Pauls

Mondez wrote: »

Try mounting it without specifying -t ext3 and see if that makes a difference. You could also try running fsck.ext3 on it if it still won't mount to ensure it has a valid ext3 filesystem on it.

Trying the to mount without the -t option I'm getting this...

mount: Mounting /dev/sda4 on /media/temp failed: Device or resource busy

and the fsck ....

e2fsck 1.38 (30-Jun-2005)
fsck.ext3: while trying to open /dev/sda4
Could this be a zero-length partition?

QuackQuack_2

Silly question - what happens if you issue:

mount -l

Also - ignoring the fact it's not mounted, what happens if you try and issue an umount on it?

AFAIK Device or resource busy usually fires off if something else is trying to access or use the device. It can be something simple like a file browser 'parked' in it, a network share trying to access it, or some software service. Failing that the RAID/DEVICE could just fall into that good ole' fashioned 'borked' category.

They can be a bit of an abrasive bunch, but it may be worth asking this question over at: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/ possibly in the 'hardware' sub forum.

Mr_Toad

QuackQuack wrote: »

They can be a bit of an abrasive bunch, but it may be worth asking this question over at: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/ possibly in the 'hardware' sub forum.

Ah yes, Linux forums, something of a hobby horse of mine. I use Linux every day at work, 99% of our Oracle databases run on Linux or *nix servers.

I have endless tales of over complicated command line advice to fix problems that could be done by a few clicks of the mouse using the GUI.

Some Linux bods are very scornful of anyone who use the GUI. Why do it the easy way when you can do it by writing a 30 line script

I've never been able to work out if they really do only ever use the command line or if they just like to show of they expertise. Perhaps they think of themselves as members of some elite, or should that be l33t, club.

When you do find a friendly type the search is usually well worth it. So, if you do go to the forums don't let them get you down or feel like you know nothing, we're not all like that.

QuackQuack_2

There is some great help to be had there, but the problem with that forum can be narrowed down to 2 moderates and, in particular, one of them that has a name similar to fish laying eggs. It's one of the reasons I won't ever use the place. I did hear a tale that he upset someone quite powerful and it got pretty ugly for him - but I've just looked at the site and he's still there and as rude as ever.

Personally, I prefer to use the command line for most of my work with *nix, but GUI's have their place and I'm certainly not religious about it. I'm certianly not going to sit and use forums, and the web, with Lynx - or write my posts in Vi just for the hell of it! Give me a nice GUI for that, it's what they are for.

It's got to be worth asking the question over there just in case some of the sensible posters who have not vanished up themselves has a useful answer.:D

Mondez

Pauls wrote: »

Trying the to mount without the -t option I'm getting this...

mount: Mounting /dev/sda4 on /media/temp failed: Device or resource busy

and the fsck ....

e2fsck 1.38 (30-Jun-2005)
fsck.ext3: while trying to open /dev/sda4
Could this be a zero-length partition?

I meant /dev/md2 again, /dev/sda4 is being used as part of the /dev/md2 raid device so you can work on that.

@QuackQuack

What would mount -l show that mount on its own didn't which he already posted the output from?

/dev/sda4 is probably reporting busy because it is part of /dev/md2. I don't think umount will really help in freeing it up.

@masonn
GUI is fine for something you only need to do once and don't need to explain to someone. If you need to do something repetitive, that 30 line script saves you hours of pointing and clicking and that "complicated" command line is something someone will be able to reproduce accurately compared to something like "click the little pen button near the padlock" where the other guy doesn't recognize an icon looking like a padlock or has a different version of the OS you are trying to explain from where the padlock is now a safe and the pen is a stylized quill... just IMO anyhow

Mr_Toad

Mondez wrote: »

@masonn
GUI is fine for something you only need to do once and don't need to explain to someone. If you need to do something repetitive, that 30 line script saves you hours of pointing and clicking and that "complicated" command line is something someone will be able to reproduce accurately compared to something like "click the little pen button near the padlock" where the other guy doesn't recognize an icon looking like a padlock or has a different version of the OS you are trying to explain from where the padlock is now a safe and the pen is a stylized quill... just IMO anyhow

I agree to some extent but..... I like to introduce people to Linux, to show them that they don't have to go down the Windows route to get a useful PC experience.

I've converted many friends and family to the cause but we have to remember that for the majority of these people the PC is simply a tool. Something to edit photos on, send a few emails and do their shopping and banking on-line with.

Just like most Windows users they will probably never open a terminal window and use the command line. As long as they can write a document or spreadsheet they're happy.

Every so often one of these people may need to do something a little out of the ordinary, something that can be done from the GUI, but if they venture into the Linux forums, as I encourage them to do, they are sometimes ridiculed as noobs and idiots by people who consider themselves hardcore Linux users. Those same users that in many cases loath Microsoft and all its products seem to be doing their best to drive recent converts away from the very OS that they support so strongly.

How can we ever get Linux into the mainstream if the people who can help are doing their best to put new users off. Some will become competent terminal users but most will never need or want to open a terminal window.

If I had my way Linux would be used and taught in schools, and adopted by government. Think of the savings they could make by using open source and not buying MS products and licenses.