Ubuntu system will not mount, but defaults to bash

boot to live CD and run:

sudo blkid

You can then mount the partition you use for / and read the etc/fstab file on the partition, make sure the UUIDs for each match up

If not run: gksudo nautilus

Then open the fstab file again (it will open with admin access and will be editable)

If it matches then you can read the line above the UUID and switch to /dev/sdXY instead of the UUID, save the new file and reboot to the hard drive to see f it boots

e.g.

# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=643d819d-b7cd-4f26-9f2e-e4f0ce78c4e3 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1

would become:

# / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
/dev/sda5 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1

Thank you for your answer and help. I have a couple
additional questions for clarification below, in *BOLD
*if you don't mind:

On Tue, Dec 22, 2009 at 11:06 PM, actionparsnip <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #94904 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/94904
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> actionparsnip proposed the following answer:
> boot to live CD and run:
>
> sudo blkid
>
> You can then mount the partition you use for / and read the etc/fstab
> file on the partition, make sure the UUIDs for each match up
> *How does one mount the partition? And how does he read the etc/fstab* *?
> Would the UUIDs match for the mounted / and the swap space or ?*
>

> If not run: gksudo nautilus
> *Is gksudo a standard command (I have used sudo but not gksudo)*?
> Then open the fstab file again (it will open with admin access and will
> be editable)
>
> If it matches then you can read the line above the UUID and switch to
> /dev/sdXY instead of the UUID, save the new file and reboot to the hard
> drive to see f it boots
>
> e.g.
>
> # / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
> UUID=643d819d-b7cd-4f26-9f2e-e4f0ce78c4e3 / ext4
> errors=remount-ro 0 1
>
> would become:
>
> # / was on /dev/sda5 during installation
> /dev/sda5 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
> Thank you, Daniel
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
>
> https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/94904/+confirm?answer_id=0
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/94904
>
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> subscriber of the question.
>

Sure, place them here and we can advise

How does one mount the partition?
How does he read etc/fstab?
What would he compare the UUIDs to ? from the / in question?
Where would he find gksudo (Have used sudo but not gksudo?

On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 12:51 AM, actionparsnip <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #94904 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/94904
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> actionparsnip requested for more information:
> Sure, place them here and we can advise
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/94904
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.