Ubuntu 6.06 Read-only filesystem? HELP!

Curse my Linux inabilities!

Have a Dapper Drake box that started giving errors citing a read-only filesystem. (I was trying to write files to /usr/local/var). I tried changing permissions, but that failed with the same error. I restarted the machine, and it now won't boot, failing on loading GRUB.

Research is telling me that I should be running FSCK.
So, I've booted to the live OS, and am trying to run it, but I'm not so confident in my knowledge of the filesystem and partitions.

I do believe that my root partition is on /dev/hda1, but that's not in fstab. Therefore, it's causing problems running FSCK... either it says the device isn't listed, or I get a mount: operation not implemented error.

Can anyone advise?

 

UPDATE:

I am currently downloading the alternate install CD for Dapper Drake, in order to try restoring GRUB

 

Scratch it... the HDD is just toast.

Dammit Maxtor! They're batting 1000 for HDD failures around here... I haven't seen ANY other brand fail since starting to work here.

 

Why install Drake, when Edgy is stable with over 6 months behind it now?

 

Machine was built months ago.

Also:

 

I forgot about LTS-

did you solve the read only side of your HD?

 

Yup! Gave 'er the old re and re.

Removed and Replaced, that is...with a shiny new seagate drive.

 

I can tell you from my experience Feisty is NOT ready to be installed. Breezy or Edgy for sure is the option here to recommend. :major

Takes about 20 mins to install.