cannot write to /etc/fstab under File Recovery mode

centguy · 07-17-2009, 09:08 AM

Hi,

Because I forgot to bring a portable hard drive, I cannot boot
to a linux OS. The reason is that the /etc/fstab has a line
that is

Quote:

LABEL=ext3-datadisk /ext3-datadisk ext3 defaults 1 2

and ext3-datadisk is on the portable hard drive.

The booting process stopped when it prompts for a root passwd or
Ctl-D to reboot.

I keyed in the root passwd, and a (File Recovery) prompt appeared.
I tried to vi /etc/fstab but I cannot save the edited /etc/fstab.

How can I boot successfully in this case ?

Thanks !!

centguy · 07-17-2009, 09:16 AM

I meant without a live CD, but just booting with the single-user mode. Is that possible at all ?

rayfordj · 07-17-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centguy

I keyed in the root passwd, and a (File Recovery) prompt appeared.
I tried to vi /etc/fstab but I cannot save the edited /etc/fstab.

How can I boot successfully in this case ?

once at the file recovery prompt

Code:

mount -o remount,rw /

then proceed with what you need to correct.

the root filesystem is still mounted read-only when dropped to file recovery ? to protect its integrity ? so you'll need to mount it read-write. since you are using it at this point you are not able to simply umount and then mount with appropriate options... this is where the remount option to mount comes in

centguy · 07-17-2009, 11:41 AM

rayfordj:

Exactly the solution I was looking for. Thanks a million !!
You rock!