Hi Ricardo,
I can't help you but I can offer sympathy. I have almost precisely the same problem as you and have hunted hi and low for a resolution without success. I am using Mandrake 8.0 and have even gone so far as to reload the whole system but still with the same problem. I thought it might have something to do with the auto mounting facility (supermount) but can't find anything that supports that theory either. I am interested to note Adam's comments and will have a look this evening to see if I can change the owner of my devices. I am literally at the point of changing back to Suse (you're right, I don't have any patience) as I know I can at least use that without fundamental problems like this. I wonder how many other people experienced the same problem. Mandrakes web site doesn't seem to make any mention of it or even tell you what a locked directory is! I suppose I may have changed something inadvertently but as a 'newbie' I tend to be very careful when 'tinkering' as I know I won't be able to rectify the result if I do screw up. I am saving my requests for help from the list until I really can't get my head round something (read- I'm afraid of making myself look a pratt!)!!!!!!!!!!! :<))
I'd be grateful to know if you do 'sort' the problem.
Cheers
Kevvy