Server Version#: 1.15.3.876
Hello. I’m setting up an in-house wireless media server using an old PC running Ubuntu 18.10, and I’ve hit a problem. Plex absolutely will not add my media to the library. I am using a USB hard drive to hold onto the media. Ubuntu can see and run the media just fine, but Plex will not add the folders to the library.
I am a complete idiot newbie when it comes to Linux, so please keep in mind that your information may need to be dumbed down to help my idiot brain understand it.
Now, obviously I do know a few things about computers despite my self-depreciating manner of presenting my issues, but in the past I’ve only used Linux for simple troubleshooting(mainly ascertaining if an issue I’m having is hardware or OS related). I’m not very well-versed in terminal usage as a result, so the clearest possible help is necessary should I need to access the terminal.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
That guide is useless to me. At step D I find myself completely lost, unable to find any of the needed things to continue.
Maybe you should consider an OS you’re more familiar with.
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I have no other options. The only OS I know better is Windows. I am NOT spending money on a Windows license for this.
Okay, editing the file system table by loading it in the text editor won’t work because it won’t let me save the changes. Entering the text in the terminal to try and open it just causes the terminal to lock up. What do I do from here?
@FormulaFox1
You state you are using USB drives.
At step D:
For the USB drives:
Create lines for your system like the lines below, pasting UUID= value and TYPE (ntfs or ext4) from above, plus the directory locations just created where the external drives will always be found.
Best practice for USB drives is to use the UUID= method. USB drives will change physical device name from use to use. UUID= guarantees they always are mounted in the same location.
Use caution editing /etc/fstab. Mistakes can force you to take manual recovery/editing steps in command line mode ONLY** comment out the erred line(s) during recovery**
If this isn’t clear enough, your choices are either MacOS or Windows.
I am sorry but this is Linux.
Okay, I apologize if I sound like I’m getting irritated, but please allow me to restate the problem with some added emphasis since you seem to have to have missed the problem…
It WILL NOT let me save the edits.
You skipped the part
# sudo su
or
# su
These steps are required to elevate to administrator (root) privilege level which is required to modify system files. Linux is extremely strict on permissions.
I did not miss those parts. Like I also said, entering the required line in the terminal causes it to lock up.
JUST the terminal, everything else keeps running fine.
sudo gedit /etc/fstab
That’s the graphical editor.
If you don’t have it installed, get it. it’s like WordPad
If I use the graphical editor, it won’t let me save the edits.
If you type as I tell you: sudo gedit /etc/fstab
and it will not let you save the edits, your installation is serious broken.
Alright, just to be sure I’ll do that one last time. I will get back to you in a bit. (got to boot up the system again - didn’t expect to be back to it this fast)
Okay, so it looks like the system just didn’t boot right before, as putting in that command, the exact one I’d been using, finally did open the editor. However, after entering the information directed, The following appeared in the terminal:
Set document metadata failed: Setting attribute metadata;;gedit-spell-language not supported
Set document metadata failed: Setting attribute metadata;;gedit-encoding not supported
And the terminal is now locked up again.
The terminal window will stay “locked” until you close the editor and exit.
In windows, graphical programs launch and run independently.
In Linux, they do not unless you tell them too.
Exit (X) from the upper right corner and your command prompt will return.
Okay, I will attempt again.
As a suggestion, it would have been helpful if the guide had noted things like this.
Our job and the guide is to help with Plex on Linux.
Our job is not to teach Linux.
Sorry,
That suggestion isn’t even “teaching Linux.” It’s a reminder of an easily overlooked detail. Keep in mind that someone using your guide is probably doing work this deep into Ubuntu for the first time - if details like that were easily remembered by the user, he probably wouldn’t need your guide.
In any case, the changes saved, but nothing changed. Though I think I already may know what went wrong this time - To enter in the data I copy.pasted wherever I could to avoid typos, and I think I accidentally deleted the wrong extraneous portion of the line to be entered.
Specifically, at UUID= value and TYPE I accidentally deleted the UUID instead of the server name(result of a bad habit of editing text I have, where I accidentally move my mouse right before right-clicking and don’t notice it changed the selected text - the Undo command and I are very good friends). But I wanted to doublecheck on something before I get to the editing again(I’m doing it all over from the top including creating new folders to keep me from losing track of what step I’m on). I ONLY need the UUID, not the drive name, correct?
