LinuxQuestions.org - Will remote Debian 6 boot ok (after a '/*' mv) what can I do to ensure?

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Will remote Debian 6 boot ok (after a '/*' mv) what can I do to ensure?

Hello I was working as root on a Debian 6.0.4 Linux 2.6.32-5-amd64 Server (over ssh)

I accidentally moved the entire '/*' filesystem into a subdirectory I was in, leaving the system quite unusable (no commands worked, even with new absoloute path given). (Yes, I learnt a big lesson here, don't use root all the time and be VERY careful with mv & rm etc).

Now after a fix found here (listed below), the system seems ok, sshd, apache2/php5, ls, mv, cp, cron, mount etc.
I have not rebooted it yet.

I just want to know what I can do/check to ensure it will boot (if it ever needs to) with at least working ssh access, becuase I don't have physical access if it does not boot.

This is what I did wrong and the fix:

Code:

srv:/home/username# mv ftproot /* ./

(one accidental space after the 'ftproot')

Command used to fixed it was something like:

Code:

srv:/home/username# /home/username/lib/ld-2.11.3.so --library-path /home/username/lib /home/username/bin/mv /home/username/* /

Thanks!

Hi, welcome to LQ!

I can't guarantee that it will work, but it looks sane enough,
apart from the fact that a few files/directories that actually belong
in your home will have ended up in / ...

If this is a remote server: does your hoster provide any backup/restore
facilities?

Cheers,
Tink

Nice.
Note the title of the person that (originally) provided that answer ...
I would expect that ftproot (at least) will also be in the wrong place.

Edit: just noticed the OP used ld.so rather than ld-linux.so; any particular reason ?.

Hi thanks it's good to be here!

@both repliers: Yes sorry I ommitted that the home dir files ended up in / but I just moved them back (no filename conflicts with original /* stuff).

@Tinkster: it seemed to work, in that it moved everything from that folder back into /, I could see that with an ls -lA.

My issue is just I am scared that if I reboot it (soon or in the far future) it may not come back up becuase of something I overlooked/do not know about like proc files etc I have no idea really which is why I asked here where I consider there are some people who know a lot more than me about Linux files and the boot process/ssh requirements etc.

The host does not back up this machine automatically, that's down to us really (it is backed up, I would just rather it not have downtime).

@syg00 LOL.
I think I executed ld-2.11.3.so because the original fix command I found on the forum did not work, becuase the executable was a symlink:

Code:

/lib/ld-linux.so.2 -> /lib32/ld-linux.so.2

It gave me an error and I shat myself becuase I did not know what it would be called, I had no working ls.
So in desperation and thinking the system is dead for sure, why not try:

Code:

srv:/home/username# /home/username/lib/ld-*.so --library-path /home/username/lib /home/username/bin/mv /home/username/* /

Which seemed to work (I am not assuming of course, hence this original post).

So overall, any tips to make sure it will boot and run net & sssh etc?
I know that's vague but is there like a checklist or a command I can run to test bootup files/scripts etc or anything?

If not I'll probably reboot it & prepare for the worst at the weekend when there's less load on it to see/fix.

Cheers.

Fair enough - I should have checked first, before asking.

Can't comment on the general commands, but you'd hope they'd be o.k. As for booting, depends on the loader - presuming (either) grub, you should be o.k. Go get bootinfoscript to see if everything can be found o.k.