On Thu, 2008-09-11 at 17:03 -0700, Robert Holtzman wrote: > Running "sudo chgrp mail" on a directory on a usb stick gives > > "chgrp: changing group of `mail': Operation not permitted" > > This is true for any file or directory on the stick, and yes, I entered > the password. I can't figure out how to copy to the stick without the > group being changed to root or how to change it after the fact. > cp -p test1 /media/disk doesn't do it and > > cp -preserve=mode,ownership,group,timestamp test1 /media/disk gives > > "cp: invalid option -- e" > > I have to be doing something wrong but I'm not sure what. Google and > Ubuntu forums were no help but I may be searching on the wrong terms. > > Any help appreciated. Thanks. ---- a lot of details are missing but presuming that this USB disk is vfat filesystem, then there would nothing like POSIX users/groups and all files/folders are owned by the user mounting the filesystem and cannot be changed because a vfat system wouldn't support it. If what you are trying to do is to copy files from one system to another and preserve those things (owner/group/timestamps), tar the file, copy the tar file onto the USB 'stick', copy the tar file onto your next Linux host and untar it there and the those attributes should be preserved. If my assumption about vfat filesystem is not correct, more details would probably help drive a solution. Craig --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss