get vista to recognize a linux usb hdd

l5cygx · 12-08-2008, 08:45 PM

I have a dvr that uses a usb hdd wich it formats to linux. i want to copy the programs i have recorded to my laptop (vista or xp, i have both) but when i plug in the linux usb hdd (80 gb) it does not show up in my computer. i was under the impression i could use ultraiso to mount the files on a virtual drive but i am obviously missing some steps or have been misslead. is there a simple way to get vista/xp to recognize a linux usb hdd? thanks for looking.

tommylovell · 12-08-2008, 09:18 PM

If the usb drive is formatted with an ext2 or ext3 file system, you would need something like "IFS Drives" (See http://www.fs-driver.org/ ).

I just plugged an 8GB sb drive formatted with ext2 into an XP system with "IFS Drives" installed, and it mounted just fine. It says that it works on Vista, but I don't have Vista. So, YMMV.

It has a bunch of restrictions -- like it doesn't understand LVM, for one -- but it is a nice piece of code, and freeware.
(I've made my donation, as it works nicely for me.)