Quickfix: Recovering files from a broken Fedora install

If your Fedora system was installed using default settings,  the partition and volume management is unlike that of other Linux distributions.  If a user wants to access files from a damaged Fedora system, even Knoppix will not be able to recognize the file structure without additional disk utilities. 

After a failed removal of Xfce from a Fedora 15, I decided to opt out of heading off to the Terminal to repair Fedora.  Rather, I decided to backup my files and replace the OS with openSUSE.  I only had LiveCDs of Ubuntu 11.10, openSUSE 12.1 and LiveUSB Knoppix handy - all of which failed to "find" the Home and Root directory which Fedora had set up. 

To recover files from a broken Fedora 15 install, use a Fedora LiveCD instead.  As expected, it takes a Fedora system to access a Fedora install.  A user can now copy files from the damaged system.

**If a user boots into LiveCD Ubuntu 11.10 for installation, the setup will actually offer to write over Fedora 15 rather than install it side-by-side.  Like openSUSE 12.1, it fails to recognize that there is a Fedora install on the hard drive.