Fstab Problem on boot

English Install/Boot/Login
1

Hi,

I have been using linux for a while, specifically suse and have just upgraded to 11.3, but have really got to grips with command line activities. I only allowed the install to mount my boot, root and swap partitions so I could configure the rest manually later. I then mounted two older drives (previously being accessed from windows via a utility) probably formatted with ext 3 or maybe reiserfs, and an nfs entry for my NAS. On rebooting, the system found errors on the two drives and proceeds to check them, except it gets stuck before it’s complete. If I try to remove the drives, the system goes to the command line because fstab now contains invalid entries.

Is there a way either via the command line to edit fstab or, via the install cd?

Grateful for any help.

Thanks

2

I always use Parted Magic because you get root powers right off
Mount your root partition and navigate to /etc/fstab

out the offending line/s

reboot

You can use the SUSE CD though

3

Have mounted root, but don’t know how to invoke an editor at the command line

4

I presume you don’t know vi. So try nano.

5

I don’t think I can walk you thru CLI edit (vi)

Are you not using a Live CD then. You can boot to the live desktop and mount the partition - But hence I said Parted Magic

6

Yeh, I discovered vi, but I have no idea how to use it. Nano command not recognised, so assume it is not installed. Tried mounting the partition from Live CD, but kept getting error messages. Don’t know what parted magic is either, so have decided the path of least resistance is go via the install cd.

When I eventually add the two disks back in, a check will be forced on reboot and I will be in the same boat… is there a way to scan and repair disks from the desktop or shell?

7

If its an ext(2,3,4) or reiserfs volume, you can do

e2fsck /dev/<whatever> or
reiserfsck /dev/<whatever>

from any console as root (make sure the partitions are NOT mounted).

This won’t check for bad sectors (ie physical problems with the disc surface) only filesystem (software) errors

8

On 2010-09-20 13:06, sebb65 wrote:
>
> Have mounted root, but don’t know how to invoke an editor at the command
> line

There are several editors in text mode:

· There is the “classsical” and powerful vi, quite difficult to start with, but necessary to learn
a bit because is the only editor guaranteed to work and exist on any linux (or unix) system.

· There is the “classsical” and powerful emacs, with also its difficulties.

Also the flamewars vi vs emacs are classical :slight_smile:

· Far simpler, you have “joe”, in a few guises: joe, jstar, jmacs, rjoe, jpico. Use any flavour you
like. This editor should be available in any recent suse install (even in rescue mode).

· Also simple and easy, mcedit (part of Midnight Commander, mc).

· pico: it is the editor internal to the “Alpine” mail client.

· nano: “Pico Editor Clone with Enhancements”

Also, try the file browser “mc”, it makes life easier.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.2 x86_64 “Emerald” GM (Elessar))

9

Try joe I dont think nano is installed be defulat anymore.

10

It doesn’t hurt to say it twice. So I second this recommendation.

11

Hi Sebb65;

Please give us a listing of your partition table

su fdisk -l

Also, how did you mount the two partitions (ie; what command and options did you use)? When you tried to invoke nano did you use the fully qualified path name?

What was the utility you used in windows to access the two drives?

I’m sure you are finding out why knowledge of the command line is important when doing “custom” installs. In windows you’re stuck with the barely acceptable tools for admin or calling tech support and paying for it.:wink:

Tom