Need desperate help immediately!!!!

oudent · 07-20-2002, 12:35 AM

Entry in fstab is wrong due to damaged file. Can't use the fstab file to boot, because the / entry is not LABELed as /1 and I can only access it in the Repair Filesystem thing which prevents me from writing!!!

All I need to do is erase the "1"

How do I write to my fstab file?

I boot from a disk, and I tried boot: linux rescue as well as other things.

Help!

tundra · 07-20-2002, 02:07 AM

boot from the installation disk, but don't type linux rescue. just boot normally as if you were going to install. then cancel the installation. i think this should let you out to the command line (depending on the distro). mount /dev/hda (or your relevant hard drive with linux in it). you should then be able to find your /etc/fstab file and edit it.

i'm sure there are some other magical sophisticated solutions around somewhere, but this is what i know for now. hope it helps.

MasterC · 07-20-2002, 02:36 AM

With Mandrake 8.2 you can do the 'rescue' thing, and it will get you to a command prompt. Then all your files are listed under /mnt directory

In Slack8.1, you do just like tundra said, boot with CD, start install, then choose "exit" and you will be at a command prompt. Then the same, go to /mnt/etc and edit fstab that way.

So I am guessing something similar to one of those would be how they do it in RH.

aliensub · 07-20-2002, 05:17 AM

Another thing you can do is to start the installer and then press Alt+F2 to get to the commando prompt. Then type if you root is hda1
cd /
mkdir rescue
mount /dev/hda1 /rescue -t ext2 (if you use ext2, otherwise ext3 or ReiserFS)

then you should be abtle to locate vi in i think it´s in usr/bin, so it will be:
usr/bin/vim /rescue/etc/fstab

I´m on a win comp. so i can´t cross check it, but give it a try

tundra · 07-20-2002, 05:30 AM

commando prompt?

now there's another way to put it...

aliensub · 07-20-2002, 05:45 AM

As i told you i am sitting on a win comp. right now, and was actually trying to fix some errors (what a surprise) in the... commando prompt.

AARRGGHHH Bill has brainwashed me, I miss my little debian box!!

aliensub · 07-20-2002, 05:47 AM

I think i will go to sleep, commando = command = i just keep quiet for now...

linuxcool · 07-20-2002, 10:18 PM

Guys, oudent has already fixed his problem. He cross posted. So, I guess he is ignoring this thread.

All he needed to do to solve the problem was to enter:

mount -n -o remount,rw /dev/hdb1

at a prompt and then edit the fstab file.

tundra · 07-20-2002, 10:29 PM

ok thanks