when i installed debian i accidently set the mounts for /var and / backwords. i had an extra partition so i tried to switch them (not nearly enough room on the partition / is mount to). i did:

cp -ax / /store (partition for backup)

switched the mount points for /store and / in fstab with the idea that then i would cp /var to where / was {now /store} and make the appropriate changes in fstab. the problem is that after i switched / and /store and rebooted, linux tried to mount both the old / partition and the new / partition as root. so i chickened out and switched it back in fstab and rebooted.

now...i am determined to do this. i dont care what happens to it. so can anyone give me any pointer on this little challenge i have so that it might go smoothly?

TIA

You have to tell the kernel where the root partition is.

Unfortunately I forgot the name of the command, sorry.

Alternative: Change fstab again and mount with the option
root=/dev/xxx

isn't the root partition information in the /etc/lilo.conf ?
i would try that, if i were u,
but i can't gaurantee because i 've never done that before =)

You need to edit your fstab file and your boot loader. If you have lilo as your boot loader, then edit your /etc/lilo.conf file. Look for the root= line and make it point to the new root ' / ' partition and then run /sbin/lilo.

If you use grub, it could be a little more complicated. Post a copy of it ( either /boot/grub/menu.lst or /boot/grub/grub.conf ) and also what your new root ' / ' partition is ( hd?? ).

boot from install cd (ie rh73)
chroot /mnt/sysimage
adjust /etc/fstab and reboot

Ahhh. of course. In lilo.conf. i had forgot about that. instead of booting from install cd i prefer to telinit 1 and umount all but the partitions i'm copying. too bad i'm at work. i'd like to work on it right now. time to fire up ssh i guess. thanks all for the help.

You're welcome.