Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 13:56:17 -0500 From: Charles Howse <chowse@charter.net> To: "freebsd-questions@freebsd.org" <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org> Subject: Re: Need to boot from CD and delete a file on the hard drive Message-ID: <BF83EA01.18EA%chowse@charter.net> In-Reply-To: <BF83E4C0.18E2%chowse@charter.net>
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>> Hello All -- >> >> SUMMARY: >> I changed a configuration file and now I can no longer boot from my hard >> drive >> (but I can still >> boot from the CD). I would like to boot from the CD and undo my change to >> the >> configuration >> file -- but when I boot from the CD it automatically launches the install >> program. Is there a way >> to boot from the boot CD and get a shell and make a change to a file on the >> hard drive? (I got >> an "emergency shell" after booting from the CD -- but I can't figure out how >> to access my hard >> drive filesystem from it.) >> >> DETAILS: >> I was trying to set up a serial console using the instructions here: >> >> http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/serialconsole-setup>>; . >> html >> >> I typed the following at the prompt: >> >> # echo 'console="comconsole"' >> /boot/loader.conf >> >> then unplugged my regular keyboard and tried to reboot -- but the machine now >> freezes on >> bootup. >> >> I now want to boot from a CD and remove the file /boot/loader.conf from the >> hard drive. Then I >> should be able to boot normally again from the hard drive. >> >> I went into the BIOS and booted from the CD and this put me in the install >> program. I don't >> want to install everything again -- I just want to boot up from the CD and >> execute the following >> command at the prompt: >> >> # rm /boot/loader.conf >> >> After booting from the CD, I found a command in the install program to enter >> an "emergency >> shell" and accessed this shell by hitting ALT-F4 -- but if I do an "rm" >> command in this >> emergency shell, it doesn't apply to the filesystem on the hard drive -- it >> applies to the CD. I >> need to delete the file /boot/loader.conf while booting from the CD. >> >> Is there any way to fix this without installing FreeBSD all over again? > > I've never done this...but... > Reboot the computer from the CD, > Look for the message: > > Hit [Enter] to boot immediately, or any other key for command prompt. > Booting [kernel] in 9 seconds... > > At that point press "any other key". > You should then be able to mount your /boot partition and delete the file, > however, you may have to look around on the CD for the appropriate commands. Apologies for replying to my own msg, but I just 'had' to try what I told you, and there are no tools such as 'mount', or 'rm' available when booting to a command prompt as I said. I tried the Emergency Shell from the CD, same thing. Sorry I sent you on a wild goose chase, but I'm sure you'll get the correct answer soon.
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