How to Fix code 13 Error – Unable to mount hard disk : Error mounting: mount exited with exit code 13
Error mounting NTFS partition due to corrupt boot sector and hardware fault.
📋 Table of Contents
The error 'Unable to mount hard disk: Error mounting: mount exited with exit code 13' affects users who are trying to access their NTFS partition, which was previously experiencing issues due to a corrupt boot sector. This issue has been observed on Linux Mint operating system and is frustrating for users who need to access their external hard drive.
This error can be challenging to resolve, especially when the device is not recognized by Windows. In such cases, running chkdsk /f on the affected device may not yield the desired results.
⚠️ Common Causes
- The primary reason for this error is a corrupt boot sector on the NTFS partition. This corruption can be caused by various factors such as power failures, physical damage, or software issues. When the boot sector is corrupted, it cannot be read correctly by the operating system, resulting in an error when trying to mount the drive.
- Another possible reason for this error is a hardware issue with the device. In some cases, SoftRAID/FakeRAID configurations can cause errors like this. If the device is a SoftRAID/FakeRAID, it may require specific steps to be taken before attempting to mount the drive.
🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
Using chkdsk /f on Windows
- Step 1: First, connect the external hard drive to your computer and ensure that Windows can recognize it. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type the command `chkdsk /f G:` (replace `G:` with the actual drive letter). This will start a disk check and may take some time to complete.
- Step 2: After the disk check is completed, restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del during boot-up) to change the boot order. Ensure that the external hard drive is set as the first device to be detected by the computer.
- Step 3: Once you've saved the changes in the BIOS settings, save and exit. Then, restart your computer normally and enter Windows. The external hard drive should now be recognized and accessible.
Using a different mount point
- Step 1: If the above method does not work, try mounting the device under a different directory using the `mount` command. For example, you can try mounting it as `/mnt/ntfs`: `sudo mount /dev/sdxG /mnt/ntfs -t ntfs-3g`. Replace `/dev/sdxG` with the actual device name of your external hard drive.
- Step 2: After mounting the device, ensure that all necessary permissions and configuration are in place. You may need to install additional packages or configure the `fstab` file to make this work.
🎯 Final Words
If you're experiencing issues with an NTFS partition due to a corrupt boot sector or hardware issue, try using the primary fix method of running chkdsk /f on Windows and changing the boot order. If this doesn't work, consider mounting the device under a different directory using the `mount` command. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'Unable to mount hard disk: Error mounting: mount exited with exit code 13' error and access your external hard drive.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
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