Access (and write to) ntfs partition via samba

[SubVert]

I tried to post this in another thread, but it looks like the thread
is locked from replies, and I think I sent it someones email instead,
many apologies.

After much fiddling, I finally got this to work, and now have read and
write access to the ntfs partition over samba.

I have the newer Ultimate firmware, with a fat32 partition for
recorded files, and an ntfs partition for stored stuff.
The ntfs is read-only, unless you plug the box into a pc via the usb
lead.

I installed the debian/chroot using the quick method from the blog,
and disabled all bar samba and ssh.

First we edit the smb.conf file to set a new folder for the ntfs
partition.
So, telnet into the box, and at the venus prompt, type 'root' and
enter.
We now need to get into the chroot area, so enter
'cd /usr/local/etc./hdd/volumes/HDD1/chroot/samba'.
This puts us in the samba folder, where we can edit smb.conf. I use
vi for editing.

We should have an entry for the fat32 partition, accessed at /mnt/
hda.
I'm using /mnt/auto to mount the ntfs partition. As I recall, /mnt/
auto was created by the samba install, or else I created it manually
following the instructions.
Anyhow, it is located at /usr/local/etc/hdd/volumes/HDD1/chroot/mnt/
auto
If you don't have it, create it :
cd /usr/local/etc/hdd/volumes/HDD1/chroot/mnt/
mkdir auto

Now, we add this to smb.conf, by simply adding a new section :
[ME1 HDD2]
comment = Storage partition of HDD
path = /mnt/auto
read only = no
public = yes

Add that and save, then reboot, by typing reboot at the prompt.
ME1 will now reboot, and once running, you should now see the 'ME1
HDD2' folder when you browse to the ME1, as well as your previous
fat32 partition folder. The folder will currently be empty.

Now, we need to mount the ntfs partition to /mnt/auto, and to make it
more useful, we can set it read and write.
For this, we first dismount the partition, then re-mount it read/
write, then map it to /mnt/auto.

We can do this by telnet, but to do it automatically, the easy way is
to add it to the auto script in /usr/local/etc, that is created to run
the samba installation.
Telnet into ME1 again, and cd to the /usr/local/etc folder, and use vi
or whatever to add the following (I added it right at the end, just
before the 'exit 0' line) :

# added section
umount /usr/local/etc/hdd/volumes/HDD2
mount -o umask=0000 /dev/ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part5 /usr/local/
etc/hdd/volumes/HDD2
mount /tmp/hdd/volumes/HDD2 /tmp/hdd/volumes/HDD1/chroot/mnt/auto
# end of added section

First line dismounts the ntfs partition. We need to use the /usr/local/
etc address for this to dismount.
Next line remounts the partition. The umask option sets it as read and
write for everyone. To check the address of the partition, do a df -m
from the venus prompt, and look for the /dev/ide device attached to /
tmp/hdd/volumes/HDD2. I'm guessing it will be the same as mine, but
check anyhow.
Last line mounts HDD2 on auto. Here the /tmp addresses work fine.

You can try these from the venus prompt in telnet first to make sure
they work ok before adding them to the auto script.
If you do it from the prompt, you should now have read and write
access to the ntfs partition.
If you changed the script, reboot the ME1 first, and all should be
good.

So far it seems reasonably OK, if a little slow, and occasionally
flaky, I've had a copy attempt fail part way through, and a lock up
trying to access the failed folder, but a reboot and re-copy, and all
was well again.
For copying big files or large amounts, it still may be best to use
the usb lead to avoid issues.