he doesn't know how to use chmod.  when he tries to mount/dev/hdcfix (which is the partition with red hat on it)  it says cannot read /etc/stab it says no such file or directory.  he also tried to mouth / boot, which did not work. 
sorry if we're confusing the hades out of you.  he tells me the terms over the phone and i can't always hear exaclty what he's saying.