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Old 12-09-2010, 07:10 AM   #1
denbarton
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Question Boot up failed (Activating swap-devices in/etc/fstab..)


Hi All, I have just been given a HP Mini running Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop 10, it was working perfectly but now it will no boot up. When booting it stops at a screen with loads of data showing what has been loaded but shows failed on (Activating swap-devices in/etc/fstab..)it also asks for the root password that I do not know and will not allow me to enter anything in the required space anyway. Can anyone help with this problem?
Many Thanks.
Den Barton.
 
Old 12-09-2010, 07:30 AM   #2
TobiSGD
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No, even if we are determining the error in your fstab, you will not be able to correct it, if you don't know the root password.
You are running an Enterprise Linux, so I would assume that the netbook was given to you by your employer. Ask your tech guy for help, he should know the password, and he should also be able to help you with your problem.
 
Old 12-09-2010, 07:35 AM   #3
tizzef
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Hi,

Seems that something or someone (more probably) has broken the /etc/fstab or/and a FS was deleted.
You Linux box boot in a'repair mode' (single I think) and ask you the root passwd. If you had the passwd you can login and check the /etc/fstab file and your filesystems. If you do not have the passwd...it's worst but you can dig the web for 'single mode' for your distro.

Cheers.
 
Old 12-10-2010, 05:33 AM   #4
denbarton
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Question Linux boot up failed

Hi,
I may sound dull but I have not had anything to do with the Linux operating system until I was given this HP Mini so could you please explain to me what a 'single mode' and a 'distro' are.
Many Thanks.
Den Barton.
 
Old 12-10-2010, 06:00 AM   #5
TobiSGD
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Single mode is the same as Safe Mode in Windows, only without the GUI. A distro (short of distribution) is the flavor of the Linux OS you are using, in your case Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop, others are Red Hat, Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, Slackware, and, and, and... . To get an overview about the different distros you may want to look at Distrowatch.
 
Old 12-11-2010, 04:24 AM   #6
denbarton
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Unhappy Boot up failed (Activating swap-devices in/etc/fstab..)

Hi,
it's me again. I have now been given the password for the root directory but I find that it will not let me enter it, no matter what I try it will not show anything when pressing the key pad. Any ideas?
Many Thanks
Den Barton.
 
Old 12-11-2010, 11:39 AM   #7
TobiSGD
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The password will not show up, when you type it in. That is normal in Linux, just type it in and press Enter.
 
  


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