Why do I have to reboot to use the USB ports?

[Tyrannocaster]

It does appear that as long as I keep that Admin window open I can copy files to the drive, even if I can't copy them via a non-admin window. So for me, that seems like a workable solution.

Thanks!

[minesheep]

It does appear that as long as I keep that Admin window open I can copy files to the drive, even if I can't copy them via a non-admin window. So for me, that seems like a workable solution.

Thanks!

Why to not fix it permanently via the administrator window

If you can access the drive with root account in thunar right click it again and select "Properties..." and allow write and read permissions from "Permissions" tab. Now it should work until you format it again.

[Tyrannocaster]

Yes, that seems to work, although it requires an admin window, and it seems just as easy to just keep the admin window open (I have four virtual desktops, so it's not in the way). But it's an easy thing to do. What I wonder is why do the permissions get changed each time I unplug the USB drive? Should that happen?

[bitsnpcs]

Freedom isn't free.

+1 very deep, and wise words 

[Tyrannocaster]

Because that isn't a permanent fix; it will only last until I reboot. I've tried it.

Why to not fix it permanently via the administrator window

If you can access the drive with root account in thunar right click it again and select "Properties..." and allow write and read permissions from "Permissions" tab. Now it should work until you format it again.

[torreydale]

@Tyrannocaster ,


When you remove the USB, are you right clicking on the USB's icon via the file manager (Thunar) and selecting Unmount or Safely Remove/Eject?

[Tyrannocaster]

Yes. (To Safely Remove/Eject, I mean.) That is, when it lets me. It doesn't always let me, and sometimes when that happens, it NEVER tells me it's been released. I also try using the eject triangle next to the drive's name, which I assume does the same thing. I like Lite a lot but honestly, the problems I've had with using USB drives have been pretty much constant.

@Tyrannocaster ,


When you remove the USB, are you right clicking on the USB's icon via the file manager (Thunar) and selecting Unmount or Safely Remove/Eject?

EDIT: I've been searching and reading and it really seems like this is a Linux issue and not a Linux Lite issue - there are so many people who have problems with USB drives and Linux. The Ubuntu forums have lots of threads but it goes beyond Ubuntu based distros, too. 

For those of you who don't have these problems, consider yourself lucky!