I can see my HDD but can't open it

Hi, i used to have ubuntu on my pc but as a gamer i allways use windows too,i have 2 maxtor 250gb and one 500gb WD which i want to use only for data,so first i installed ubuntu 10.04LTS on one maxtor i formated the WD as "FAT(Visible to windows)" - that's what ubuntu said.. and then i installed windows 7 to the other maxtor. when i logged in windows i couldn't see the drive in "Computer" folder but i can on device manager as well on disk management but can't open it either way please help me thank you!!

Pigimon said:

Hi, i used to have ubuntu on my pc but as a gamer i allways use windows too,i have 2 maxtor 250gb and one 500gb WD which i want to use only for data,so first i installed ubuntu 10.04LTS on one maxtor i formated the WD as "FAT(Visible to windows)" - that's what ubuntu said.. and then i installed windows 7 to the other maxtor. when i logged in windows i couldn't see the drive in "Computer" folder but i can on device manager as well on disk management but can't open it either way please help me thank you!!

Is there data on the FAT volume? IS IT fat32, OR fat? Does it have a drive letter?

i have attached the print screen from my disk management! hmm no i think it hasn't a letter...

oh! plus the disk has data in it... sorry i forgot

Hopefully the experts here will get you all straightened out. But, if I may be so bold as to offer you some advice for next time:

1. Install Windows 7 on its drive first.
2. Then format your data drive, NTFS or FAT32. Ubuntu can handle both. I'd pick NTFS.
3. Then install Ubuntu on its own drive. Let Ubuntu format it.

When you're done, Windows and Ubuntu will both be able to see your data drive.

yeah i know,i do it like this all the time but i bought Windows 7 after a month that i already used my pc with Ubuntu.. :s

if you want to access the FAT partition in explorer, all that is required is for you to right click on the partition from disk management and select "change drive letter and paths" then assign a drive letter to it

yea i don't have that option... i only have convert to dynamic disc / offline / delete.... useless i think i don't have an option other than transfer to linux and then format it as ntfs, if you guys have any suggestions tho i'll try them all..

Ubuntu actually works fine with NTFS partitions if they're present in the system when you install linux while connected to the internet.. otherwise you have to install ntfsprogs afterwards

yeah i know they work fine with ntfs i just dont want to make this huge transfer and stuff
its ok..