Thinkpads Forum

Hi:

I have a dual boot setup with Kubuntu (Hardy Heron) and WinXP on my T41. When I boot either OS I am invited to check the disk for errors (perhaps because each file system detects the other (?). I am reluctant to do this because I am concerned that Scandisk may damage the Linux partition and vice-versa.

A search of the forum shows no messages from someone who has BTDT. Does anyone have some advice for me on this?

TIA.

You say you're invited to run scandisk for either OS, do you mean scandisk for Windows and fsck for Linux? There shouldn't be a problem of the partitions "detecting each other" as Linux would only mount an NTFS partition if you have it in your /etc/fstab and have the appropriate drivers. Similarly for Windows, unless you have the ext3 drivers it won't see your Linux partitions.

Did you recently repartition your drive? I know that after I shrink a Windows partition to install Linux it asks to run scandisk, and I do and everything is fine. Also, Linux will run fsck on a regular basis (e.g., after X number of mounts or Y number of days), unless you have disabled this in fstab (it would have two zeroes at the end of the line for each ext3 partition, which is not the default).

In general I'd say let scandisk and fsck run, but to be on the safe side give a little more info about your setup (particularly your /etc/fstab).

You could always make a backup and then run scandisk/fsck. At least then you'd be covering your butt .

Thanks Superego:

<<Did you recently repartition your drive?>>

I only did the automated Linux install which obviously repartitioned the drive.

<<Linux would only mount an NTFS partition if you have it in your /etc/fstab and have the appropriate drivers.>>

I did install drivers to access the NTFS partition from Linux.

I think I have enough information here to proceed. Clearly I can safely run Win Scandisk. I think I am proficient enough to check /etc/fstab for the NTFS partition. If it's not there I should be safe to let Linux run its diskcheck utility.

I appreciate your help!

Greg

Sounds good. I'm pretty sure it's standard for Windows to run scandisk after repartitioning, so that will be fine. Regarding Linux, here's a good link about understanding fstab:

http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/fstab.html.

Good luck.