unable to fsck

[Mike_866]

Hi there , just recently , I changed my Linux server's root password . After a reboot , i was unable to login with the same password again . It can't even take any previous password also . I have tried logging in as Linux single , to change the password .But the system is asking for root password again , for a maintenance . During the boot process , it says your /var/ folder is having problem and run fsck manually . Do the fsck , I typed the root password , but unable to accept any password , I am stuck there .

During the boot process , there was a message saying " change root = old root has d_count=1 "
Any help is appeciated .

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

boot from rescue CD and then run fsck on /var partition

[Mike_866]

hi , i tried that , but it gave any error " /etc/fstab " not found .

[Mike_866]

it says " couldn't open /etc/fstab " no such folder or directories

[Sergejs Svitnevs]

After booting from RESCUE mode you will get a shell prompt. In the shell prompt enter "chroot /mnt/sysimage" and next enter "passwd". This will ask for your new password. Enter new password.

Exit from the shell by entering "exit". Eject your CD1 now. Now booting starts from hard drive.

Regards,
Sergejs

[Mike_866]

Thanks for your reply , I did that it says
" chroot failed : no such file or directory " . I checked the mnt folder , there's source and runtime files

I tried chroot /mnt/runtime , the same result comes out .

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

try to run fsck /var in form:
fsck /dev/hda?

where /dev/hda? is the actual /var partition...

[Mike_866]

Thanks Alex , but I tried fsck /dev/hda1 and all the partitions , but the same result .
it gave a " warning message could not open " /etc/fstab "

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

As a workaround I can suggest you to remove the hard drive from this machine and to connect it as second hard drive on another machine with Linux installed on it.
Then you definitely should be able to fsck it's partitions from anothe Linux system.

[Mike_866]

I have a Fedora server running . I will try on that . Will it cause any problem ?

[Alexander Chuzhoy · Accepted solution]

unless you have virus on your fedora server, it shouldn't cause any problems.
In fact sometimes I do it at my work.

[Mike_866]

Hi , I will try , and let you know what's the result

Thanks

[Cuitlahuac]

Did you tried with a "live CD" like Gentoo Live CD, you are able to login as root in Gentoo and do any fsck of any partition.

[Mike_866]

Hi Alex , I can't do from another Fedora server, because my Linux server is using SCSI controller and my Fedora server is running under IDE . I can't do an fsck by swapping the hard disk .

[Mike_866]

Hi cuitlahuac , thanks for replying .
I tried the Gentoo software , but after donwloaded into my CD , the CD is not bootable . I think because my CD-writer is unable to " Record CD from CD Image". try to save the ISO file . My CD software is unable to do that .
Any other options

[Cuitlahuac]

But allmost all can do that,Wich software are you using? in console commands 1 As root, type: cdrecord -scanbus ... in order to determine the device. It will be something like '0,0,0'2 Next type: cdrecord -dummy dev=0,0,0 sample.iso

[Cuitlahuac]

But allmost all can do that,

Wich software are you using?

in console commands

1 As root, type:

cdrecord -scanbus

... in order to determine the device. It will be something like '0,0,0'

2 Next type:

cdrecord -dummy dev=0,0,0 sample.iso

... in order to perform a test run. Remove the -dummy flag (but keep -dev) to do it for real.

[Mike_866]

Actually , I have downloaded in Windows based system and try to burn it . My CD-Writer is a HP CD-W . The software is HP-CD software .

Any other website , that I can download this software ..

[Cuitlahuac]

You may use this software 2 or 5 times without buy it, I guess is very useful

http://www.slysoft.com/en/clonecd.html

[Cuitlahuac]

Also this one is good

http://www.cdburnerxp.se/index.php

(and it is free )Burn and create ISO-files

[Mike_866]

thanks guys , I have resolved the problem with using the Redhat installation CD . But I used , a higher version 7.3 .

I was able to boot up , and I went to boot prompt and fsck , on the paritions as /dev/hda1 .It did not ask for password , later I login in as single user and change the password .

Thanks for time and effort . You guys are helpful