Read-only hard drive - FTP on Freebox HD
depal
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Hello,
I hesitated to post my question in the network forum.
I connected an external hard drive to my Freebox HD via USB. Everything is fine for reading during FTP and when using it on the TV. However, I can only write to the internal hard drive of the Freebox. The external hard drive is write-protected. I used Total Commander to try to change the attributes and allow writing, but it's denied remotely. I can't find any function to manage access rights on the Freebox. Has anyone ever wondered about this? And found a solution? Thank you in advance.
I hesitated to post my question in the network forum.
I connected an external hard drive to my Freebox HD via USB. Everything is fine for reading during FTP and when using it on the TV. However, I can only write to the internal hard drive of the Freebox. The external hard drive is write-protected. I used Total Commander to try to change the attributes and allow writing, but it's denied remotely. I can't find any function to manage access rights on the Freebox. Has anyone ever wondered about this? And found a solution? Thank you in advance.
Configuration: Windows XP Firefox 2.0.0.4
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Good evening,
To answer several questions:
- The Freebox uses a Unix system. So, unfortunately, it cannot write to NTFS. However, it can read it. (This is because Microsoft has never wanted to publish the exact structure of NTFS file systems)
- Unix systems can write to FAT32, so, as mentioned above, the Freebox can also write in FAT32.
- And as mentioned above, one cannot exceed 4GB in FAT32. One solution would be to try formatting the disk in ext3, the file system most commonly used by Linux, which supports files larger than 4GB.
- Contrary to what was mentioned above, Windows can format to FAT32. But it will never offer to format an empty partition to FAT32 because Microsoft wants to impose the use of NTFS. If you have a FAT32 partition containing data, Windows will either offer to format it to FAT32 to erase it, or to NTFS. But it will only suggest NTFS for an empty or NTFS partition.
For ext3 formatting, any Linux live CD can do it.
Hoping that this information will be helpful...
++
To answer several questions:
- The Freebox uses a Unix system. So, unfortunately, it cannot write to NTFS. However, it can read it. (This is because Microsoft has never wanted to publish the exact structure of NTFS file systems)
- Unix systems can write to FAT32, so, as mentioned above, the Freebox can also write in FAT32.
- And as mentioned above, one cannot exceed 4GB in FAT32. One solution would be to try formatting the disk in ext3, the file system most commonly used by Linux, which supports files larger than 4GB.
- Contrary to what was mentioned above, Windows can format to FAT32. But it will never offer to format an empty partition to FAT32 because Microsoft wants to impose the use of NTFS. If you have a FAT32 partition containing data, Windows will either offer to format it to FAT32 to erase it, or to NTFS. But it will only suggest NTFS for an empty or NTFS partition.
For ext3 formatting, any Linux live CD can do it.
Hoping that this information will be helpful...
++
Good evening
I apologize for the question, but what extra security do multiple partitions provide me?
Furthermore, I'm not sure I understand your sentence "in FTP, there is no problem writing to NTFS." This has been my issue from the beginning (just like Depal, the original poster of this discussion) and I had thought you confirmed that the Freebox could only write to FAT32; did I misunderstand you?
To summarize my situation if I haven't been clear: from my PC, via WIFI
- I can do FTP in reading AND writing without issues with the Freebox hard drive
- I can do FTP in reading without issues with the external NTFS hard drive connected via USB to the back of the Freebox
- I cannot write via FTP to the external NTFS hard drive
- the Freebox reads the NTFS external hard drive (and the movies I've saved on it) without issues
- the 40 GB of the Freebox internal hard drive is more than enough for my recordings since I hardly make any
So my goal is not to allow the Freebox to record to the external hard drive (which requires a FAT32 partition as you specified) but rather to access it in writing from my PC via FTP/WIFI.
Like Depal, I have a writing permission issue on the external hard drive (at least that's what FTP tells me when it refuses my transfer to the external hard drive)
I hope I have been clearer and thank you for your help!
I apologize for the question, but what extra security do multiple partitions provide me?
Furthermore, I'm not sure I understand your sentence "in FTP, there is no problem writing to NTFS." This has been my issue from the beginning (just like Depal, the original poster of this discussion) and I had thought you confirmed that the Freebox could only write to FAT32; did I misunderstand you?
To summarize my situation if I haven't been clear: from my PC, via WIFI
- I can do FTP in reading AND writing without issues with the Freebox hard drive
- I can do FTP in reading without issues with the external NTFS hard drive connected via USB to the back of the Freebox
- I cannot write via FTP to the external NTFS hard drive
- the Freebox reads the NTFS external hard drive (and the movies I've saved on it) without issues
- the 40 GB of the Freebox internal hard drive is more than enough for my recordings since I hardly make any
So my goal is not to allow the Freebox to record to the external hard drive (which requires a FAT32 partition as you specified) but rather to access it in writing from my PC via FTP/WIFI.
Like Depal, I have a writing permission issue on the external hard drive (at least that's what FTP tells me when it refuses my transfer to the external hard drive)
I hope I have been clearer and thank you for your help!
Good evening, what's up?
My bad, everything was clear on your part. Before unblocking the disk sharing, I had the "no entry" sign when dragging/dropping, and after unblocking it, the "+" sign. I stopped there, thinking I had won, without waiting for the error message to appear: permission problem to place files on the server.
Conclusion: you cannot write to NTFS partitions. I will try to look for solutions... if they exist.
As for several partitions, the advantage is being able to format one without touching the other while keeping space to move files.
Thank you for bringing me back to the harsh reality.
My bad, everything was clear on your part. Before unblocking the disk sharing, I had the "no entry" sign when dragging/dropping, and after unblocking it, the "+" sign. I stopped there, thinking I had won, without waiting for the error message to appear: permission problem to place files on the server.
Conclusion: you cannot write to NTFS partitions. I will try to look for solutions... if they exist.
As for several partitions, the advantage is being able to format one without touching the other while keeping space to move files.
Thank you for bringing me back to the harsh reality.
Well, I did some research and it turns out that ext3 or ext2 is not recognized
on the other hand, XFS works really well :d and there are no issues with large files over 4GB
on the other hand, XFS works really well :d and there are no issues with large files over 4GB
Good evening,
I have a Maxtor One Touch Mini 250 GB hard drive formatted in NTFS that I connected to my Freebox HD via USB.
The Freebox recognizes the Maxtor drive and the content of the video files stored on the Maxtor hard drive.
The Freebox plays 720P mkv video files that are 4GB or smaller, but it seems unable to play files larger than 4GB.
On the TV, for files larger than 4GB, I get a black screen and the duration of the movie displayed is 0 seconds.
I thought the Freebox HD could read HD files larger than 4GB from a hard drive formatted in NTFS (and not FAT32) (based on forum messages).
Do you have the same problem? Do you see a solution to my issue?
Thank you in advance.
I have a Maxtor One Touch Mini 250 GB hard drive formatted in NTFS that I connected to my Freebox HD via USB.
The Freebox recognizes the Maxtor drive and the content of the video files stored on the Maxtor hard drive.
The Freebox plays 720P mkv video files that are 4GB or smaller, but it seems unable to play files larger than 4GB.
On the TV, for files larger than 4GB, I get a black screen and the duration of the movie displayed is 0 seconds.
I thought the Freebox HD could read HD files larger than 4GB from a hard drive formatted in NTFS (and not FAT32) (based on forum messages).
Do you have the same problem? Do you see a solution to my issue?
Thank you in advance.
I have the same problem. I have a 500 GB disk (initially formatted in FAT 32) that I reformatted to NTFS to be able to manage files larger than 4 GB. While researching, I read that the Freebox system was based on UNIX and therefore did not manage NTFS in write mode. That said, I would like to have confirmation from someone experienced, even if it means reverting to FAT 32 to solve the problem.
Welcome to the club. I also have a 500GB external hard drive, factory formatted in NTFS. Despite some hesitations at first and all the forums repeating that the Freebox can only read FAT32, mine reads the NTFS external hard drive just fine. However, I still have the same issue; I cannot upload to the external hard drive via FTP. I can download to the PC without any problem, but the reverse apparently causes issues with write permissions.
Normal or not? That is the question!
Thanks to anyone who knows and can share their knowledge!
Normal or not? That is the question!
Thanks to anyone who knows and can share their knowledge!
Good evening,
It is true that the Freebox reads NTFS well but writing (in the case of recordings) is impossible: I solved the problem by dividing the disk into 3 partitions, 2 in NTFS and 1 in FAT 32.
XP can only format in NTFS so I used "SwissKnife V3", very easy to use and free:
https://download.cnet.com/s/compuapps-swissknife-v3/
For transfers, FileZilla poses no access issue to the disk, in either direction (permissions can be modified by right-clicking on the relevant directory).
Hoping to have been helpful.
It is true that the Freebox reads NTFS well but writing (in the case of recordings) is impossible: I solved the problem by dividing the disk into 3 partitions, 2 in NTFS and 1 in FAT 32.
XP can only format in NTFS so I used "SwissKnife V3", very easy to use and free:
https://download.cnet.com/s/compuapps-swissknife-v3/
For transfers, FileZilla poses no access issue to the disk, in either direction (permissions can be modified by right-clicking on the relevant directory).
Hoping to have been helpful.
Good evening Kinaros
thank you for the advice; I will test it right away! One additional question: you mention 3 partitions. Is this a real need or is it for your own purpose? I understand that the Freebox can write on FAT32 and not on NTFS, so I deduce that 2 partitions are sufficient, right?
Thank you.
thank you for the advice; I will test it right away! One additional question: you mention 3 partitions. Is this a real need or is it for your own purpose? I understand that the Freebox can write on FAT32 and not on NTFS, so I deduce that 2 partitions are sufficient, right?
Thank you.
Good evening
Since I want to do everything in one (backup of my PC but via FTP over Wi-Fi to the external hard drive hidden behind the Freebox, storage and TV recordings), I only need to make a single FAT32 partition of 500GB with Partition Magic or SwissKnife.
Thank you again
Since I want to do everything in one (backup of my PC but via FTP over Wi-Fi to the external hard drive hidden behind the Freebox, storage and TV recordings), I only need to make a single FAT32 partition of 500GB with Partition Magic or SwissKnife.
Thank you again
Good evening,
Creating multiple partitions is a guarantee of security, and just to clarify: there is no problem writing to NTFS over FTP. Furthermore, file management by the system is much better with NTFS. The only advantage of the FAT 32 partition is for recording TV. Don't forget that with FAT 32, files cannot exceed 4 GB, and HD DVXs already exceed 4 GB... plan for the future.
Thank you for reading.
Creating multiple partitions is a guarantee of security, and just to clarify: there is no problem writing to NTFS over FTP. Furthermore, file management by the system is much better with NTFS. The only advantage of the FAT 32 partition is for recording TV. Don't forget that with FAT 32, files cannot exceed 4 GB, and HD DVXs already exceed 4 GB... plan for the future.
Thank you for reading.
Good evening Kinaros
Hallelujah, solutions exist, and it's the same reason: NTFS. By following your advice and creating a FAT32 partition, FTP worked immediately. FTPzilla also clearly indicates that the permissions of the NTFS partition are read and that those of the FAT32 are write.
Thank you again for this discussion.
Hallelujah, solutions exist, and it's the same reason: NTFS. By following your advice and creating a FAT32 partition, FTP worked immediately. FTPzilla also clearly indicates that the permissions of the NTFS partition are read and that those of the FAT32 are write.
Thank you again for this discussion.
Maybe we should format the Linux hard drive partitions in EXT3 or EXT2
so writing to the external hard drive via FTP becomes possible and at the same time, the use of this external hard drive for recordings too :))
so writing to the external hard drive via FTP becomes possible and at the same time, the use of this external hard drive for recordings too :))
Thanks for the info!
Actually, my problem has just been resolved.
I hadn't noticed that my drive had two jumper settings for Master: 32Gd and 16Head.
I simply chose the wrong one, and that was limiting the size of the drive.
Then, I formatted the 500Go in 20 seconds with "swissknife."
Thanks for your help
yoag
Actually, my problem has just been resolved.
I hadn't noticed that my drive had two jumper settings for Master: 32Gd and 16Head.
I simply chose the wrong one, and that was limiting the size of the drive.
Then, I formatted the 500Go in 20 seconds with "swissknife."
Thanks for your help
yoag
And does XFS allow the disk to be read on a Mac?
Because that's the reason for my choice of the Fat32 format.
It's true that if XFS is recognized by a Mac and doesn't limit files to 4GB, it could be interesting.
Still, 4GB is enough if I don't record TV on the disk.
My DVDs, even encoded at 4.5GB, don't have any files larger than 1.1GB.
See you later.
Because that's the reason for my choice of the Fat32 format.
It's true that if XFS is recognized by a Mac and doesn't limit files to 4GB, it could be interesting.
Still, 4GB is enough if I don't record TV on the disk.
My DVDs, even encoded at 4.5GB, don't have any files larger than 1.1GB.
See you later.
I don't understand what you're saying because I can transfer files of 6 Go from my Freebox via FTP to my NTFS hard drive without any problem! However, I can't put this file onto an 8 Go USB stick! Is there a possibility to change the format of my USB stick to transfer up to 6 or 7 Go?
Good evening Revilo56
In my setup, there is nothing in FAT32.
The FreeBox has an internal disk, which is formatted in Unix (but that’s not the issue). This internal FreeBox file can save files larger than 4GB. For now, I have a test file of 4.6GB.
My PC is formatted in NTFS, so if I understand correctly, the 4GB file size limit no longer exists.
Well, even then, I cannot completely retrieve the 4.6GB file on my PC using FTP. The number of bytes I’m able to retrieve is 4,194,304 bytes (exactly 4GB).
My Windows XP is the original version (not SP1, not SP2).
Is there a 4GB file size limit on Windows XP NTFS before SP1?
Do you have any idea, as it seems to be working for you?
Best regards
In my setup, there is nothing in FAT32.
The FreeBox has an internal disk, which is formatted in Unix (but that’s not the issue). This internal FreeBox file can save files larger than 4GB. For now, I have a test file of 4.6GB.
My PC is formatted in NTFS, so if I understand correctly, the 4GB file size limit no longer exists.
Well, even then, I cannot completely retrieve the 4.6GB file on my PC using FTP. The number of bytes I’m able to retrieve is 4,194,304 bytes (exactly 4GB).
My Windows XP is the original version (not SP1, not SP2).
Is there a 4GB file size limit on Windows XP NTFS before SP1?
Do you have any idea, as it seems to be working for you?
Best regards
Hello,
Your drive needs to be formatted to NTFS to support files larger than 4GB (FAT32 limit).
When I did it on my 8GB drive, Windows did not offer "NTFS" as a file system (only FAT or FAT32).
The solution is to convert your drive from FAT32 to NTFS using the DOS command (Start/Run...: cmd):
convert D: /fs:ntfs
(replace D with the letter of your drive)
Cheers
Your drive needs to be formatted to NTFS to support files larger than 4GB (FAT32 limit).
When I did it on my 8GB drive, Windows did not offer "NTFS" as a file system (only FAT or FAT32).
The solution is to convert your drive from FAT32 to NTFS using the DOS command (Start/Run...: cmd):
convert D: /fs:ntfs
(replace D with the letter of your drive)
Cheers
Maybe some of you can help me. I tried to connect a 320GB LaCie external hard drive, but when I plug it into the Freebox, it doesn't recognize it. So I tried it on a friend's Freebox, same problem. Is it a brand issue? What external hard drives do you have, or do I need to format it, or change something in the settings? Note that my USB stick is read correctly.
Thank you for your responses.
Thank you for your responses.
Good evening Tigrou,
I'm not sure anymore because I'm saying this from memory, but there should be a setting to adjust on the Freebox HD to activate the USB.
--
Always try, may give in, but never give up.
I'm not sure anymore because I'm saying this from memory, but there should be a setting to adjust on the Freebox HD to activate the USB.
--
Always try, may give in, but never give up.
Hello,
I found an answer. My external HD was in "OK" status, formatted in HFS+ (MAC), but after a power outage, it switched to "Read-only." This is a problem since I only have a PC with WinXP. No MAC...
My solution only works if, like me, you have formatted the HD in HFS+ (MAC). This is possible on PC with MacDrive.
1. Disconnect the HD from the Freebox.
2. Connect it to the PC.
3. Install and launch MacDrive (https://www.macdrive.com/support/macdrive9standard/
4. Choose the option 'Format Or Repair Mac Disks.'
5. Select 'Check Mac Volumes.'
6. It will find errors; ask it to repair. If there are no errors, that's fine, it works.
7. You're done, disconnect the USB drive and reconnect it to the Freebox. It's back to 'OK' status again.
P.S: For those who will use the external HD for the first time, I advise them to format in HFS+ (MAC). The most powerful format on FreeboxHD (Read, write, file size without limit...) It's the most suitable format. This can be done on a MAC directly or on a PC with MacDrive.
I found an answer. My external HD was in "OK" status, formatted in HFS+ (MAC), but after a power outage, it switched to "Read-only." This is a problem since I only have a PC with WinXP. No MAC...
My solution only works if, like me, you have formatted the HD in HFS+ (MAC). This is possible on PC with MacDrive.
1. Disconnect the HD from the Freebox.
2. Connect it to the PC.
3. Install and launch MacDrive (https://www.macdrive.com/support/macdrive9standard/
4. Choose the option 'Format Or Repair Mac Disks.'
5. Select 'Check Mac Volumes.'
6. It will find errors; ask it to repair. If there are no errors, that's fine, it works.
7. You're done, disconnect the USB drive and reconnect it to the Freebox. It's back to 'OK' status again.
P.S: For those who will use the external HD for the first time, I advise them to format in HFS+ (MAC). The most powerful format on FreeboxHD (Read, write, file size without limit...) It's the most suitable format. This can be done on a MAC directly or on a PC with MacDrive.
I just bought and connected my 3100 box to my PC.
Convinced that it had to be formatted in fat32, I tried to do it with XP (before knowing it was a problem).
It formatted it in Fat32 but only for 32GB, while the hard drive installed in the 3100 is a 500GB Hitachi.
Since then, I've learned that you can use the 3100 in ntfs just fine.
Anyway, I'm stuck because my drive seems to be recognized now only for 32GB.
How can I restore its original 500GB?
Thanks!