Cannot boot system after changing fstab
 

I'm a complete newbie to Linux (recent Windows convert) so please forgive me if this is simple.

I've installed RH 9 on a system as a file server (no GUI). It's been running great until I made a change to the /etc/fstab. I read (on another message board) that you could improve disk performance by using the option "data=writeback". I changed /etc/fstab using the vi editor. After making this change I restarted the system (shutdown now -r).

When the system restarted I got a bunch of "FAILED" messages. Then it stops with "INIT: no more processes left in this runlevel". I can't get the console login!

I have a boot disk and I have the rescue cd but I don't know how to use them! I use the rescue cd and get the prompt "boot:" I need to access my original fstab so I can undo my changes and bring our system back online.

Thanks in advance for the help, it's greatly appreciated.

" I need to access my original fstab so I can undo my changes and bring our system back online."

Boot your rescue CD.
make a temporay directory
mkdir /canary
Then mount your / partition on /canary
mount /dev/hdxx /canary (where hdxx is your / partition)
Then use vi (any command line editor will do) to edit /canary/etc/fstab

umount /canary before you reboot or you will have to fsck your / partition when you boot.


___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html

Steve Stites

Thanks for the help Steve!