Problem with 64 bit 11.2 on new system

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

Have just assembled a new computer and thought I would install the 64 bit version of openSUSE 11.2 in a “Windows free zone”. After a hiccup or two I have managed to get a system of sorts running but on trying to copy files from my old computer(via a memory stick) it tells me that Vfat is an unknown file system.
On my old computer I am running 32 bit openSUSE 11.2 as a dual boot system with Windows XP and have no problems moving files between the two different file systems.
Is it possible to get a 64 bit file system to read 32 bit file system drives and if so how do I do it?
All help gratefully received.
merkland.

#2

It’s not a word size issue, just the way you are mounting the memory stick. Were you trying to mount it by adding a line to /etc/fstab? If you just plug it in, you should be able to see it in the device notifier and mount it by opening up a file browser on it.

#3

I use Dolphin File Manager and it sees the memory stick but does not read it, error message says Vfat is an unknown file system. Same thing happens with an external Hdd.

#4

Something is missing from your system then. Maybe the module for FAT support. Have you done a kernel update or something like that recently? Or done a kernel update and not rebooted?

#5

This was the first install on a brand new system so no kernel updates involved. I also suspected some modules were missing but no knowing which specific ones I need it is difficult to resolve.

#6

Mounting a FAT filesystem requires the fat and vfat modules. See if you can load them manually. If they can’t be found, that’s not good.

modprobe vfat

which should pull in fat.

#7

Seem to have solved the problem by loading dosfstools
Thanks for your help.

#8

Something is wrong with your install. Vfat should be readable for any linux distro. Did you verify the install media, MD5sum checked and OK? No hickups during install?

Or could this be a failed mkinitrd ? Try this, reboot and see if things get better:

su -c mkinitrd
Enter root password when asked for.

This rebuilds the initial ramdisk, loaded at boot. Seen this during kernel-updates from bleeding edge.