I recently switched to Linux Mint, and while I prefer it over Windows, I'm struggling with file transfers. I've got about 500GB of data in various folders that I need to move to an external hard drive formatted in NTFS, but every time I try to transfer even 5GB, it freezes. I also tried using a FAT-formatted USB drive with the same result. I've attempted a terminal-based file manager as well, but that didn't work either. I'm looking for reliable methods to transfer files quickly between computers without using the internet, as my other laptop doesn't have a direct connection and Wi-Fi is weak. Any tips?
5 Answers
Honestly, copying files to an external drive should work smoothly even with NTFS. If you notice it slowing down dramatically during transfers, it's possible you're experiencing buffer issues with your HDD. This happens when the read/write speeds between your drives are mismatched. Just be patient during the process!
It sounds like there might be some issues at play if it's freezing during transfers. Have you considered checking if the disks are healthy using commands like `dmesg -w` while copying? Also, remember, if your USB stick or HDD is formatted as FAT32, the 4GB file size limit could cause problems. Try using `rsync` for your file transfers—it's very reliable for large amounts of data.
A USB Ethernet adapter could help your situation if you’re looking to connect both computers directly. It allows for faster data transfer than protocols like Wi-Fi.
I would also suggest you check for any punctuation issues in your file names. Sometimes characters like colons can cause issues with NTFS and FAT32. Another point is, using exFAT for pendrives might be better since it’s more modern and supports larger file sizes.
That's interesting! I hadn't thought about the file names causing problems. I'll check that out.
For quick transfers, consider getting an external SSD to use via USB 3.0. This speeds things up dramatically compared to an HDD. If using the terminal, remember to break larger transfers into smaller batches to avoid overwhelming your system.
I've tried rsync before, but it freezes too. I'm transferring smaller folders, around 1-2GB, but it still gets stuck after a bit.