Ubuntu Freezes When Copying Data from External NTFS Disks

Ubuntu Freezes when Copying Data from External NTFS Disks: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're using Ubuntu and you've experienced a freeze while copying data from an external NTFS disk, you're not alone. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the issue and offer potential solutions to help you avoid this problem in the future.

Understanding the Issue

The issue arises when Ubuntu is copying a large amount of data (in this case, 300GB) from an external NTFS disk. The system may become unresponsive, causing a freeze that can last for several minutes. This problem is not limited to Ubuntu and can occur with other Linux distributions as well.

Why Does this Happen?

The root cause of this issue is the way that Linux handles NTFS formatted disks. Linux uses a kernel module called ntfs-3g to read and write to NTFS formatted disks. This module is not as optimized as the native NTFS driver used by Windows, which can lead to performance issues when copying large amounts of data.

Potential Solutions

There are several potential solutions to this issue. Here are a few options:

• Use a different file system: If possible, format the external disk using a file system that is better supported by Linux, such as ext4 or exFAT. This will likely result in better performance and a more stable experience.
• Disable journaling: Journaling is a feature of NTFS that is designed to improve the reliability and performance of the file system. However, it can also cause issues with Linux. To disable journaling, you can use the ntfs-3g command with the -o discard option. This will disable journaling and may improve performance.
• Use a different copying tool: The default copying tool in Ubuntu may not be optimized for large file transfers. Consider using a different tool, such as rsync or dd, which may offer better performance and stability.
• Keep a backup: If you're copying a large amount of data, it's always a good idea to keep a backup. This will ensure that you don't lose any data if the copying process fails or if your system freezes.

Copying large amounts of data from external NTFS disks can be a challenge in Ubuntu. However, by understanding the root cause of the issue and implementing potential solutions, you can improve the stability and performance of your system. Remember to keep a backup and consider using a different file system or copying tool if you continue to experience issues.

References

• NTFS-3G - ArchWiki
• How to copy large files from an NTFS drive without freezing Ubuntu? - Super User
• What's a good way to copy large files from one drive to another? - Ask Ubuntu

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