Trying to Move from Windows 10 to Ubuntu Desktop

[tomcrable]

Server Version#: Plex 1.41.5.9522-a96edc606. Ubuntu 20.04
Player Version#: Web from Server

I was running Plex Media Server for many years on a Dell Desktop with an Intel I7 6700 and loved it. The machine will not run Windows 11 due to the lack of TPM and I am not willing to run unsupported on Win 10 or install a hacked version of Win 11. I am just using this machine as a Plex Server and file server in an always on configuration. I have approximately 30TB of storage on the Dell that I share with a Ryzen 9 desktop. I made the decision to Move to Ubuntu as many reviews indicate they are pleased with Plex on Linux.

The OS is installed and Plex Server is installed and looks to be running according to the web client. My problem is that when I try to add libraries the NTFS drives show up and but the subfolders and files aren’t available to the Plex Server. According to the Disks utility the partitions are mounted and I set the permissions for the partitions to full access for everyone.

I admit that I am a Linux idiot so any direction or advice would be appreciated. My next challenge is going to be getting Samba shares set up so my Window PC can see and manage them

[Menel]

This probably is not your issue… however the process will solve it.

When I did your transition many moons ago, NTFS worked under ubuntu, it seemed to work fine at face value. But there was always quirks and oddness and interrupted transfers etc. Swapping to ext4 smoothed it allllll out.

I would convert one drive at a time to ext4.

[pshanew]

@tomcrable

My problem is that when I try to add libraries the NTFS drives show up and but the subfolders and files aren’t available to the Plex Server.

Are you using static mount points (manually added by you to /etc/fstab) or are you allowing Ubuntu to dynamically mount them under /media?

If the latter, you’ll have a better time if you create/use static mount points as described in this how-to post:

Linux Tips

Using other hard drives (Windows or Linux) with PMS This How-To is written to help with Internal and External drives. It also is written to demonstrate how to cope with NTFS and EXT4 formatted drives. By logical extension, any format supported by Linux can be handled using the technique shown here. In all cases, the goal is to give user plex permission to read your media files which Linux doesn’t allow by default due to its strict security model. We will walk through the steps needed …

But I agree with @Menel that it would be a good idea to move to a Linux-native filesystem such as EXT4, if possible. Or, if you’re going to be moving the drives between Windows and Linux systems, the exFAT filesystem might be a good compromise.

[ChuckPa]

Here are several tips & How-To’s.

Linux Tips

Tips & Tricks of the Linux trade. Below, you’ll find a collection of tips, tricks, and how-to’s to help make setting up, administrating, and using Plex Media Server on Linux a little easier. Reporting problems Using other hard drives (Windows or Linux) with PMS Customizing your Plex configuration on systemd based systems Using other EXT4, NTFS, or other drives (internal or USB) Mounting CIFS + SMB network shares for Plex use Mounting NFS network shares for Plex use Movin…

Of interest:

Linux Tips

Migration from another OS to Linux Cross OS migration is a multi-level process. Copy the PMS databases and metadata Update all the media locations to point to their new locations. Prerequisites - On the originating host Settings - Server - Library Turn off: Scan my library automatically Run a partial scan when changes are detected Include music libraries in automatic scans Scan library periodically Empty trash automatically after every scan Stop Plex ZIP up the “Plex Media Server”…

Linux Tips

Using other hard drives (Windows or Linux) with PMS This How-To is written to help with Internal and External drives. It also is written to demonstrate how to cope with NTFS and EXT4 formatted drives. By logical extension, any format supported by Linux can be handled using the technique shown here. In all cases, the goal is to give user plex permission to read your media files which Linux doesn’t allow by default due to its strict security model. We will walk through the steps needed …

[tomcrable]

@menel. Thanks for the reply. I considered that as I understand ext4 is superior to NTFS but I also need to be able to move the data back and forth between Ubuntu and Windows. Unfortunately MS does not yet support EXT4 (as far as I know).

[tomcrable]

@pshanew. I was using the automatic mounts created by Ubuntu. I give the static mount points a try. Thanks

[tomcrable]

@chuckpa. Thanks for the link

[ChuckPa]

@tomcrable

was using the automatic mounts created by Ubuntu. I give the static mount points a try

The automounter creates mounts which are exclusive access to YOUR username alone.

Username plex has no access.

[DrSmith]

Welcome to Linux. I made the same transition many years ago and have never regretted it. Windows is great for some stuff; Linux for everything else. But mixing NTFS under Linux is just oil and water. @Menel is correct, if you can afford it, get a new disk (even an external USB) format as EXT4 and copy all your libraries over to it. Then let Plex/Linux do its thing with native content. Then reformat your old NTFS drive as a backup. Samba is also excellent. Your WIndows machines will see all the content just fine.