Linux Plex Server - 1.18.2.2058-e67a4e892 - Permissions problem?

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Been using Plex for quite awhile but I’m at a total loss here.

Running the above version of Plex Media Server (DEB) on Ubuntu 19.10.
Have an external USB HUB on which 6 NTFS external drives are attached.
The hub is attached to the laptop.
Ubuntu’s file manager can see all 6 drives with no issue - read/write/copy.
Plex, for whatever reason, can see all 6 but Plex can only see the files on 4 of them.
I’ve already detached the two problematic drives and attached them to a Windows system to check for any errors - none found.

There’s nothing special about the other 2 drives - they’re the same as the other 4 but yet Plex can’t see the folders or files - it’s just blank. That’s indicitive of a permission problem but I can’t narrow it down.

Any ideas on what I could check?

Thanks in advance!

Jandus

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Hey ChuckPA,

Thanks for linking the information. I’ve already tried using /etc/fstab to mount the drives that way and it makes no difference. The drives mount fine whether they’re just plugged in (and auto-mounted) or using fstab - the results are the same: no folder/directory information for those two drives.

I did go over the material you linked me to make sure everthing was correct. No issues.

Still at a loss.

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How me your mounts please ?
This includes permissions before the mount and after you’ve mounted the file systems as well as /etc/fstab entries

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Actually, it DID work. Weird.

When I went to add a source in Plex it showed my TVSHOWS3 as a sort of ‘ghost’ in the listing but when I manually went to the appropriate directory (/disks/TVSHOWS3) then it showed the contents correctly. So, it worked. :slight_smile:

Question though - Why do 4 of my drives work being automounted in /media/(username) though? You’d think that all 6 wouldn’t show any content if the Plex user is being severely restricted as you mentioned in that link?

Jandus

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Are you running Plex as your username?
It’s the only scenario where it’s known to work.

By default /media/x is mounted as exclusive access to your username when you log in by the automounter

For that reason, user plex has no access whatsoever

The How-To takes the automounter-caused problems into account.
Also, it takes the transient nature of USB devices into account (the device names can change from system boot up to the next)

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Hey Chuck,

I think I understand what you’re saying but it doesn’t explain why the 4 out of 6 drives work perfectly.

Also, user ‘plex’ is running the plex program - not my own username.

In any case, much appreciate for the help! I know what to do if it starts acting up again. :slight_smile:

Thank you very much!

Jandus

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Jandus,
NTFS drives? If so, NTFS formatted drives don’t have Linux permission support.
Which Distro and version are you using? Also, do you know the Gnome version?

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Chuck,

Yes, NTFS drives - all of them. Distro is Ubuntu 19.10 - 3.34.1 Gnome Version.

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Thanks. I need look into the change log.

I am running 3.32.3 here.

I’ll amend the How-To if they’ve finally smarted up :slight_smile:

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