Modify files on HDD using live USB

[Yora0]

I just removed the graphics driver from my Fedora 17 installation but forgot to restore the backup copy of xorg.conf.

Using a LiveUSB drive, I can access the hard drive as a mounted drive. However, I can not modify files since I lack writing rights. How do I identify myself to the hard drive as root from a console opened on the LiveUSB drive?
su - only makes me the root user for the USB drive.

Right now I could just look up the rename command and then use it in repair mode, but having console access at the same time with an internet browser makes these things so much easier, so I'd like to learn how to do this.

[nonamedotc]

Originally Posted by Yora0

How do I identify myself to the hard drive as root from a console opened on the LiveUSB drive?
su - only makes me the root user for the USB drive.

In the live environment, once you become root, you should be able to access any HDD that is connected to that system. I have backed up whole hard disks to external HDDs in this way. Are you getting "Permission denied" error or is it something else?

[Yora0]

*doublecheck*

*eyes rub*

Do I see it correctly that by using any LiveUSB device and entering su - makes every mounted hard drive recognize me as root even though I never provided the root password?

[nonamedotc]

Yes. That's my understanding (and experience). That's probably another reason to encrypt hard drives. Again, as I said, this is my understanding/interpretation. Might be flawed ....

Try to mount it from command line and see if it works.

---------- Post added at 11:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 AM ----------

In fact, I have accessed my encrypted Fedora partition from a Live USB. In that case, I had to provide the passkey to decrypt the drive first.

[Yora0]

I also found out that in recovery mode, you are also root and not asked for the password.

So on a standard installation the root password really seems to be just to prevent your old dad and your litter sister from playing around with the settings. It does not actually keep anyone out.

[nonamedotc]

Typically, yes. The real protection is using things like encryption, boot master password and such. If your HDD is encrypted (and only you know the password) - that's a entirely different story (in my opinion).