I have not read this whole thread so if this has been answered oh-well

Linux is Linux, you can re-compile your kernel to support read and write to a ntfs partition..but not good to have write enabled..it can screw things up.

With that said. Mandrake by default cannot read nor mount it. But yes you can make linux mount and read ntfs partition, actually linux can read any partition as long as you tell the kernel to or get third party apps...

now if you dont want to compile the kernel you can get a module that will work

like for redhat
http://linux-ntfs.sourceforge.net/info/redhat.html

im sure there are others.... hehe no time to search, I ahd that bookmarked..