debian-6 boot broken_ how to find install area /root

I have debian-6 installed on a partition... can no longer boot into
this, and, there is lots of other stuff on the partition.
(note - I tried both methods of restoring log in but neither worked for me)

So, the problem is, I can't find the install area or root directory on the
partition... what should I look for so I can copy old files and start over ?

if its possible, Id just fix the log in

suggestions ?

Use a live CD/DVD to boot from, so without installing (Debian/Knoppix/Ubuntu or other) to save/backup your stuff first to eg a usb stick or drive...
Can you approach your hard disk through this live CD/DVD?
Ready?
Then come back with what exactly you see upon booting..

/ is a mount point relative to the OS booting. You can look for file structure if it is still available to determine what is a common mount of /.

As above you either use a live media boot to the area and try to repair or recover off to some other place.

It's unlikely that you need the entire disk. Generally you are only concerned with unique files that you have saved.

/home is a usual place to look for your user data.

Many other places are common for saved data depending on what it is.

thanks to those who answered... I just wasn't seeing what was there. I have a full home directory
on the mounted drive... it is, as mentioned originally, so cluttered with other files I never
saw the /home /root /bin... the familiar directory structure we're used to seeing when
logging in to a debian install, but its all there !

Now the issue becomes - where can I find the booting part of the install ? What files would
need to be replaced to make it bootable again ? As it is, I never get past root name... it
never accepts this, and never gets to password... just a long pause after failed root name
entry, and back to try that again. (possibly, someone has changed root/pass ? Possibly,
I might have done it(!). It isn't working.

Im perfectly willing to just save all my files, and do a total reinstall_ BUT_ if there
is a chance of fixing login, I'd prefer that.

thanks for all your help

NOTE: I'll mention again having tried two methods for replacing/recovering login info
but none worked for me.

Check this out
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...el-4175437864/
It may be as simple as reinstalling grub.
As far as root password

passwd root

If your system is fully updated you can also upgrade to wheezy.