For the past couple of weeks my ubuntu system will suddenly stop recognizing the file system. When I click on "Places" at the top of the screen, all the file folders are displayed but clicking on them does nothing - no folder opens. (For a half-minute or so, the bottom of the screen shows the usual icon indicating that it's trying to open a folder, but then the icon disappears and nothing else happens.) The mouse still works, and any work I have open is still usable. But if I save my work to the desktop so I can move it to the proper folder later, after restarting, that file's icon does not appear on the desktop, and clicking other icons on the desktop produces no result - as if the desktop is frozen or unrecognizable. Once I restart the computer, everything returns to normal and everything works normally - at least for a while. My saved files now appear and I can then move them as needed.

I haven't installed or downloaded any new software, other than software updates, so I don't think there should be any conflicts or malware. I do accept ubuntu's software updates whenever the system notifies me that updates are ready. Ubuntu has worked flawlessly for me for the eight years I've been using it, and this is the first time I've ever had a problem like this.

Any one have any ideas?

Hello,

thank you for your question.

Have you considered, that the issue might not be Linux but your hard-disk?
From what you are explaining, especially since you did not make any changes to your system, it sounds like a HDD error. You can use Linux internal tools such as the command:

to get various information about your hard-drive and any issues. Please replace /dev/sda with the proper designation of your HDD.

Cheers,

Ben

2 members found this post helpful.

pyrotoyyot,

Just to add to bbuske’s suggestion, you first need to install smartmontools:

Further info:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Smartmontools

2 members found this post helpful.

bbuske and beachboy2: Thank you both for your guidance. Per your notes, I installed smartmontools and ran it. I received the following report:

Looks like the hard drive is ok, but as this was my first use of smartmontools, so I don't know how to interpret all the information that came back. Please advise.

Thanks.

pyrotoyyot,

The problem could be something to do with nautilus, the file manager.

One example here:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/31301...er-not-working

http://askubuntu.com/questions/77013...t-launch-16-04

Thanks. So far, everything seems to be working normally again. Hopefully due to your suggestions re smartmontools. Much appreciated.