Auto Mount Partitions at Linux Startup - A Simple Guide

Automating Partition Mounting on Ubuntu Startup

Traditionally, configuring Ubuntu to mount a partition during startup involved editing the “fstab” file, a process often considered complex. This article details a simpler method for achieving automatic partition mounting each time your computer is powered on.

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Installing Storage Device Manager

The key to streamlining this process is a program called “Storage Device Manager”. Installation can be performed directly from the terminal using the following command:

sudo apt-get install pysdm

Alternatively, the application can be located and installed through the Ubuntu Software Center.

Configuring Automatic Mounting

Launch Storage Device Manager by navigating to System > Administration > Storage Device Manager. From the left-hand panel, select the partition you wish to mount automatically at startup. You may first need to expand the list of hard drives to view all available partitions.

Once the partition is selected, click the “Assistant” button located on the right side of the application window.

Mount Options

A window presenting various options will appear. Ensure that the “The file system is mounted at boot time” checkbox is selected. Conversely, deselect the “Mount file system in read-only mode” checkbox.

The remaining options can be adjusted if desired, but caution is advised as incorrect modifications could potentially compromise system stability.

Applying Changes and Restarting

After configuring the desired settings, click the “OK” button and then select “Apply”. Close the Storage Device Manager application.

Finally, restart your computer to observe the changes and confirm that the partition is now automatically mounted upon system startup. This completes the process!