Raw Partition Type on EXT4 File system

[Xplorer4x4]

Wasn't sure where to post this so move if need be.

I am using Ext2FSD in Windows 8 to access my EXT partitions and it works great with the exception of deleting files(known bug when working with EXT3/4). I won't be spending much time in Windows but for deleting files from EXT partitions I need another alternative. I have tried a few EXT explorer apps, but it only recognizes 2 out of 4 drives as EXT partitions. I suspect this is because they partition type is "raw.(see here)" Could this be something to do with the drive since the two drives not being recognize by apps like Disk Internal Linux Explorer are both the exact same model/revision 3TB drives?

[james147]

What is the output of sudo parted -l (lowercase L)?

Also, windows support for ext is horrible, I would recommend not using it and using a windows friendly filesystem instead like vfat or ntfs.

[Xplorer4x4]

I may look in to going back to NTFS. Not sure why but I found NTFS performed much much better in linux then EXT4 on the exact same HDD. However, I have to say EXT support is pretty sufficient in my opinion. Mostly I just need to read my music drive, organize music occasionally, and download some torrents on even fewer occasions.

[Xplorer4x4]

This is in parted magic:

Welcome - Parted Magic (Linux 3.6.10-pmagic)

root@partedmagic:~# parted -l
Model: ATA INTEL SSDSC2CT18 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 180GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos
Disk Flags: 

Number  Start   End     Size    Type     File system  Flags
 1      1049kB  368MB   367MB   primary  ntfs         boot
 2      368MB   90.9GB  90.6GB  primary  ntfs
 3      90.9GB  180GB   89.1GB  primary  ext4


Model: ATA WDC WD20EARX-00P (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 2000GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: msdos
Disk Flags: 

Number  Start   End     Size    Type     File system  Flags
 1      32.3kB  1829GB  1829GB  primary  ext4
 3      1829GB  1914GB  85.9GB  primary  ntfs
 2      1914GB  2000GB  85.9GB  primary  ntfs


Model: ATA WDC WD30EZRX-00D (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdc: 3001GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags: 

Number  Start   End     Size    File system  Name  Flags
 1      1049kB  3001GB  3001GB  ext4


Model: ATA WDC WD30EZRX-00D (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdd: 3001GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags: 

Number  Start   End     Size    File system  Name  Flags
 1      1049kB  3001GB  3001GB  ext4


Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr0 read-write (Read-only file system).  /dev/sr0
has been opened read-only.
Error: Invalid partition table - recursive partition on /dev/sr0.

[james147]

As far as I know windows is fussy with gpt partition tables on non eufi systems.

[Xplorer4x4]

You mean UEFI? If so, my mobo does have a UEFI.

[SteveRiley]

In BIOS mode, Windows will boot only from an MBR disk. Non-boot disks can be either MBR or GPT.

In UEFI mode, Windows will boot only from a GPT disk. Non-boot disks can be either GPT or MBR.

[Xplorer4x4]

Ok, I understand exactly what you are saying here. However, I do not quite understand the relevance in this thread. I boot Kubuntu and win 8 from a 180GB SSD. Due to the small size, I see no reason to set it as GPT. The disks in question are 3TB storage disks using GPT. My 2TB HDD is EXT4/GPT and Ext2FSD recognizes it as a "linux" partition type. I forgot to attach the screen shot in the OP, so here it is: http://i.imgur.com/poYupbi.png I can grab another screen showing other drives if it makes any difference.

[SteveRiley]

If I'm reading the image and your parted output correctly, it would appear that the utility can see and manage your EXT partitions on the MBR disks, but it's having trouble fully understanding the EXT partitions on your GPT disks. Does the utility show "RAW" partition types for your K: and J: volumes?

[Xplorer4x4]

Model: ATA WDC WD20EARX-00P (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 2000GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: msdos
Disk Flags:

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 32.3kB 1829GB 1829GB primary ext4
3 1829GB 1914GB 85.9GB primary ntfs
2 1914GB 2000GB 85.9GB primary ntfs

The 2TB listed in quotes is Disk 1. It is not MBR, as I can tell but indeed it is not GPT(like I thought). As you can see, the other EXT partitions are recognized as "Linux."

[SteveRiley]

Actually, it is MBR. That's what Partition Table: msdos means. And yes, that utility seems able to detect the EXT partition on the disk and display it as "Linux." Same thing appears to occur with the EXT partition on Disk 0 (that is, /dev/sda). But the other two disks in your system are GPT according to your earlier post.

If we try to get back to your original problem, I think I'm reading two issues:

* You can't delete files from any of the EXT partitions while booted into Windows, and this is a known bug
* Various explorer-type apps can otherwise see the EXT partitions on the MBR disks, but can't make any sense of the EXT partitions on the GPT disks

Is that an accurate restatement?

[Xplorer4x4]

1. You can't delete files from any of the EXT partitions while booted into Windows, and this is a known bug
2. Various explorer-type apps can otherwise see the EXT partitions on the MBR disks, but can't make any sense of the EXT partitions on the GPT disks

Is that an accurate restatement?

1. Yes, as I mentioned in the OP, 1 is a known bug of EXT2Fsd so not much can be done in this regard.

2. Yes, I have tried disk Internals Linux reader and EXT2Explore(the later of which is from the same dev as Ext2Fsd I believe) and they only recognize the MBR partitions/drives.