Macbook Pro won't detect linux partitioned external HD. HELP!

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Macbook Pro won't detect linux partitioned external HD. HELP!

I have a Seagate external HD. The external HD is running linux. My brand new Macbook Pro is running Mountain Lion. On my previous mac, I was running an older operating system. Snow Leopard I believe. When I plugged in the external linux HD, it would be detected and mount. When I plug in the HD to my new computer, a popup reads "The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer. I have the option to initiatize, ignore, or eject. If I choose initialize or ignore, nothing happens and the disc won't mount. It is detected by the disk utility app, but it won't allow me to repair or verify disk permissions or mount the disk. I've already tried resetting PRAM and SMC. Is there any other way for this linux HD to be detected? I've heard that Mountain Lion doesn't have natice support for linux. Is there anything I can do? I just have to transfer some files from my mac to the linux partitioned drive. THanks.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Dec 4, 2012 9:57 PM

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Answer 1

Courcoul

Level 6

18,558 points

Dec 4, 2012 11:07 PM in response to Turpulus

What format does the drive has? (and no, "linux" is not a format. Ext-3, ext-4, ufs, are examples)

It seems that ML supports a lot less disk formats than previous cats.

One solution would be to install Oracle VirtualBox, then create a Linux virtual machine, mount the drive so the VM sees it and copy over to a shared folder seen by ML.

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Answer 2

Turpulus Author

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Dec 5, 2012 9:15 AM in response to Courcoul

I believe the hard drive was partitioned into Ext-3. I'll go ahead and set up virtual box. Is there an in depth tutorial? Do I have to know how to use linux? I have never really used linux before so I don't know the first thing about it. Basically, all I need to do is take a file from my mac and dump it into my partitioned external HD. Thanks again!

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Answer 3

Courcoul

Level 6

18,558 points

Dec 5, 2012 11:23 AM in response to Turpulus

I'll experiment to see how best to get this done when I have a bit of time this afternoon. Since you won't be wanting to keep the Linux VM, maybe the quickest way would be just downloading Knoppix and runnng off the .iso diskimage; will also let you savor that very traditional (and first) Live Disk. See here:http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix704-en.html Can choose the lightweight CD or the fullblown DVD with all the bells & whistles. Once you have the corresponding ISO, create a new VM in VBox, set it not to have a hard disk and attach the ISO to the optical drive device. Then just start up the VM and you will be running a fullblown Debian-based Linux. Rest of the details to follow....

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Answer 4

ds store

Level 7

30,695 points

Dec 5, 2012 11:31 AM in response to Turpulus

maybe the quickest way would be just downloading Knoppix and runnng off the .iso diskimage

Likely won't have the drivers for the newer Mac hardware, it takes time and some programmer to care to get them into the public to use.

Linux and Open Source software support for Mac has dropped off substancially lately because of Apple's refusal to allow Open Source software on the AppStore free of copy protection which inhibits people from further enhacing the code.

VirtualBox + Linux Mint might be the better way to go as it's easiest for newbies.

I'll see if I have a spare drive around I can format EXT 3 in VirtualBox/Linux.

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Answer 5

ds store

Level 7

30,695 points

Dec 5, 2012 11:49 AM in response to Turpulus

Ok try fuse-ext2 (also does ext 3) and see if that works.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/fuse-ext2/?source=directory

Supposedly a trial of this works too, last updated for Snow Leopard though, that's all the info I have on ext 3 compatability and OS X.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/extfs-mac/release.html

When 10.7 Lion and AppStore came out, that spelled the end.

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Answer 6

Courcoul

Level 6

18,558 points

Dec 5, 2012 11:50 AM in response to ds store

Too bad Google's MacFuse project went kaput shortly after that SummerOfCode.

BTW, Turpulus, when downloading the fuse-ext2, pay NO HEED to the obnoxious MacKeeper ads. Do NOT install that insufferable bit of crapware.

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Answer 7

ds store

Level 7

30,695 points

Dec 5, 2012 11:55 AM in response to Courcoul

You need to install Ad Block Plus and perhaps even make a Hosts File addition. 🙂

I see nothing....think it's been a few years since I've seen a online ad at all. 😉

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Answer 8

g_wolfman

Level 4

1,137 points

Dec 5, 2012 12:10 PM in response to Courcoul

It's been succeeded (or is it superceded...) by OSXFuse, whose core file system engine was written by the "rebel" FUSE team at Tuxera.

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Answer 9

ds store

Level 7

30,695 points

Dec 5, 2012 12:38 PM in response to g_wolfman

So it's OSXFuse + fuse-ext2 then?

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Answer 10

Turpulus Author

Level 1

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Dec 5, 2012 8:43 PM in response to ds store

I have to be honest, I'm completely lost in this conversation. I'm a complete newbie. Can someone give me really basic instructions on what I need to do? I took a look at Oracle virutal box and it costs $50. Is there a free way to do this?

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Answer 11

Turpulus Author

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Dec 5, 2012 8:51 PM in response to ds store

So am I supposed to get OSXfuse or Oracle Virtual box?

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Answer 12

Turpulus Author

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Dec 5, 2012 9:01 PM in response to Turpulus

Ok I"m definitely not using Virtual Box right. WHen I start up the linux VB in Debian I get a message that says Fatal!No Bootable medium found. I made the virtual box run Debian. Should I make it run Debian 64 bit? Do I need to download anything else to get it to work? Do I actually have to download debian onto my mac or does debian come with the virtual box? Step by step instructions would help immensely.

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Answer 13

g_wolfman

Level 4

1,137 points

Dec 6, 2012 9:08 AM in response to Turpulus

An answer (with instructions) is available here, explaining how to use MacFuse (or OSXFuse) and fuse-ext2:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4043564?answerId=18703075022#18703075022

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Answer 14

ds store

Level 7

30,695 points

Dec 6, 2012 9:23 AM in response to Turpulus

Turpulus wrote:

I took a look at Oracle virutal box and it costs $50. Is there a free way to do this?

Virtualbox is free, you must have downloaded the commercial version or something.

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Turpulus wrote:

I have to be honest, I'm completely lost in this conversation. I'm a complete newbie. Can someone give me really basic instructions on what I need to do?

Really can't, it's a learning curve involved that's too long to go into greath lenghts here, you'll need ot pick up a few books on computers, operating systems etc.,

If you can't install OSXFuse and fuse-ext2 then there is no way your going to "get" Virtualbox and running alternate operating system of Linux (especially Debian which is not newbie friendly), your just going to have to experiment on your own time with virtual machines. (Linux Mint is the easiest)

In the meanwhile, why the heck is it so important for you to write a file to a ext3 drive anyway?

Your not using Linux at all, so why do you need to write to that format? Doesn't make any sense.

If your having issues, just find a Linux geek to assist you to transfer between formats.

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Answer 15

Courcoul

Level 6

18,558 points

Dec 6, 2012 9:33 AM in response to ds store

I agree that the shortest and least-effort path to getting the Mac to access the Ext-3 filesystem is thru the OSXFuse solution. Using a virtualized Linux instance thru VBox is vastly more complicated (althoug vastly more interesting to a redblooded geek...).

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