Missing /etc/fstab in Ubuntu. How to rescue?

[Dynapen]

---

I am running Ubuntu Dapper Drake and in doing some work with the fstab file the other night, apparently either moved or deleted the file. As a result when my machine tries to boot, the startup process goes through and is able to mount the filesystems, but immediately after that it tries to start ACPI and hits an error (I don't have in front of me because I am at work). In the errors that show on the screen, there are repeated messages about not being able to find /etc/fstab, so I am guessing that is the main problem.

Specifically, i was working to mount my NTFS partition on my box (It's a laptop that dual boots with WinXP). I know that I backedup the fstab file into /etc/fstab.bak, but I am starting to think that I did a mv /etc/fstab /etc/fstab.bak instead of using a cp /etc/fstab /etc/fstab.bak

Either way, I know that I have a backup of the correct file, but I can't figure out how to get Ubuntu to boot into resuce mode so I can gain root access and copy the old fstab file back into place.

I do have copies of the install disk, but I couldn't figure out how to get into rescue mode.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[devils casper]

Hi !

Ubuntu Installation CD is LiveCD... boot from it... LiveCD will mount all partitions. locate backup copy of fstab and rename it.



casper

[Dynapen]

I tried that, and was able to get the live CD to come up. The problem that I has was that while it did find the individual partitions that existed, it wouldn't let me mount any of them, so I couldn't mount the / partiton and change the file from there.
There was an error message displayed when I tried that, but beings I don't have the machine with me (I am at work), I will have to wait until tonight to get the exact text of the error.


I also tried Knoppix to see if it would allow me to have access to the drive, but no luck.

Is there anyway to use the live CD as more of a true Rescue CD?

[devils casper]

Hi !

for fstab file recovery, Ubuntu LiveCd is best option. you dont need to mount partitions manually. Ubuntu LiveCD mounts all partitions...
in case, it dont mount, use 'sudo' to mount manually.

sudo mount -t ext3 /dev/partiton /mountpoint



casper

[Dynapen]

I will try that once I get home and see what happens. Then at least if it doesn't work, I will be able to post the error message I am getting, which hopefully will help clarify the situation.

I will post back on what happens.

Thanks

[rcgreen]

When you try to mount a partition, it's probably failing
because it wants to read /etc/fstab to determine
the filesystem and mount point. You will need to explicitly
supply this info to the mount command.

http://www.die.net/doc/linux/man/man8/mount.8.html

[devils casper]

When you try to mount a partition, it's probably failing
because it wants to read /etc/fstab to determine
the filesystem and mount point. You will need to explicitly
supply this info to the mount command.

Hi !

i dont think LiveCd will look into installed System's /etc/fstab file. may be i am wrong but if i have 5 OS installed, then whose fstab will be used by LiveCD?



casper

[src2206]

Hi casper,
In my Ubuntu the FC5 partition is mounting automatically but in a read only and limited access mode. I checked the fstab file, and the line is there but I'm not sure what changes to bring to the line to make the FC5 partition from Ubuntu completely accessible.
So could you please help me out?
Thank you

[src2206]

Hi !

i dont think LiveCd will look into installed System's /etc/fstab file. may be i am wrong but if i have 5 OS installed, then whose fstab will be used by LiveCD?

I tried the which fstab command using live CD but ut saud that the file can not be found though in normal hdd installation it is at usual /etc. I think Live CDs load a temporary ver of it in the RAM thats whay it may not be found.

[devils casper]

I checked the fstab file, and the line is there but I'm not sure what changes to bring to the line to make the FC5 partition from Ubuntu completely accessible

.

for write/complete access, umask should be 0

/dev/<partition> /<mountpoint> <file System> defaults,rw,umask=0 0 0




casper