LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
An administrator runs `mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt/data` and receives the error "mount: /mnt/data: unknown filesystem type 'ntfs'." The partition contains an NTFS volume that must be mounted read-write on a Linux server. Which action resolves the issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming the legacy in-kernel ntfs module is sufficient, when it offers at best limited read support and not the reliable read-write access the scenario demands.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install the ntfs-3g package and mount with -t ntfs-3g
The unknown filesystem type message means no driver is registered for NTFS. Modern Linux systems rely on the userspace ntfs-3g driver from the package of the same name for dependable read-write access; installing it and mounting with -t ntfs-3g supplies that support. Reformatting destroys data, loading a limited legacy module does not grant write access, and loop mounting is irrelevant to a real partition.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Mount with the -o loop option to force filesystem detection
Why it's wrong here
The loop option is used to mount a file as if it were a block device, which is unrelated to a missing filesystem driver. Applying it to a real partition does not teach the kernel how to read NTFS and may produce a different error. It cannot resolve an unknown filesystem type and does not provide read-write NTFS support.
- ✓
Install the ntfs-3g package and mount with -t ntfs-3g
Why this is correct
The error indicates the kernel has no in-kernel driver registered for the ntfs type. The ntfs-3g package provides a FUSE-based userspace driver that supports reliable read-write access, and mounting explicitly with -t ntfs-3g selects it. This directly supplies the missing filesystem support and satisfies the read-write requirement without altering the volume.
- ✗
Run mkfs.ntfs on /dev/sdc1 to initialize NTFS support
Why it's wrong here
mkfs.ntfs creates a new NTFS filesystem, destroying the existing data on the partition. The volume already contains an NTFS filesystem; the problem is that Linux cannot mount it, not that it is unformatted. Reformatting would irreversibly erase the content and does not install the driver needed to read it, so this action is both destructive and ineffective.
- ✗
Add the ntfs module to /etc/modules and reboot
Why it's wrong here
The kernel's legacy ntfs module provides only limited read support and no dependable read-write capability, and it is not present in many modern kernels. Adding it to /etc/modules assumes the module exists and would still not deliver the required write access. Rebooting to load a module also does not address the missing userspace driver that the error reflects.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every LPIC-1 question from scratch — 402 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official LPI exam blueprint
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-1 exam.