Cannot load passwd file [Solved]

[amoccia]

I've been using PCLOS since 2007 and have never been able to totally destroy the system until maybe now. I've noticed for months now that no updates were being provided for my current install so I changed my repo from 2007 to 2010. not realizing the implications, I then did an upgrade. It seemed to upgrade ok. I logged out and pressed ctrl+alt+del as instructed and now it is stuck in a continuous reboot sequence since it cannot access the passwd file. Any ideas on how to recover from this or will this serve as a cautionary tale not to upgrade, but to start fresh with 2010.

[menotu]

I've been using PCLOS since 2007 and have never been able to totally destroy the system until maybe now. I've noticed for months now that no updates were being provided for my current install so I changed my repo from 2007 to 2010. not realizing the implications, I then did an upgrade. It seemed to upgrade ok. I logged out and pressed ctrl+alt+del as instructed and now it is stuck in a continuous reboot sequence since it cannot access the passwd file. Any ideas on how to recover from this or will this serve as a cautionary tale not to upgrade, but to start fresh with 2010.

Can I suggest that if you have any important data on this system that you consider loading a LiveCD and boot into that and retrieve any data that you want to keep - maybe copy it to a USB stick.

I think your system is probably "broken" from doing that - I'd be surprised if you can use your system in a "usable" way.

Were you using KDE 3.5 or KDE 4?

When was the last time you updated your system? (The KDE 3.5 repos have frozen for months - see this link http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,65202.msg528216.html#msg528216

since it cannot access the passwd file

What password file is this?

When booting, is your system going through the Grub boot menu ? If so, what happens after that?

[muungwana]

There is no recovery, you can not switch from 2007 to 2010 repository, update and then continue using your system.

2010 repository only works with pclinuxos2010 systems and the only way to get this system at the moment is by installing 2010beta2.

you will have to reinstall to get your system functional again. Be advised that you will have to install the final version of 2010 if you install beta2 now

[amoccia]

I was using xfce4 since KDE4 wasn't performing well on this old computer. I created an xfce phoenix LiveCD to grab anything that wasn't already backed up and then installed it to the hdd. I almost have it configured the way I want it and I'm happy with it so far. The only gripe is that the image on the main website is so outdated. Synaptic practically downloaded every package during the first update. Waiting an hour and half for the iso to download only to wait another hour and a half for the update is no fun.

[amoccia]

Any suggestions as to what to mark this as?

[muungwana]

you can change the title and add "solved" if you are happy with the responses, feel free to inquire more if you do not understand anything.

repositories have an updated version of KDE and i suspect that is where most of the update came from. They will be in the final image and updates then wont be as massive and the one you experienced

[Texstar]

I broke it?

[Rudge]

I broke it?

That ain't nice.

[Texstar]

I broke it?

That ain't nice.

I made a boo boo?

[Rudge]

I broke it?

That ain't nice.

I made a boo boo?

well, he did break it. so hummm 

[menotu]

Waiting an hour and half for the iso to download only to wait another hour and a half for the update is no fun.

You may want try testing the download sites for speed  - its normally suggested to use a mirror close to your actual physical location, which quite often works, but depending on how busy the actual server is that can also have a big hit on download speeds.

I'm in the UK and I always find Heanet.ie is very good for both speed and reliability.

Providing your using a download app that can resume a download it pays to try other download mirrors as you can always "pick up" where you left off.

I find Filezilla very good for this, and I always find it faster than using Firefox.

This above also holds true for repo updates - pick a site close to you and try that (you can always download just a few updates and see how that progresses before doing a major update) if its slow try another.....

Note: if this post needs no further questions/answers you can mark it "SOLVED"