I have been using Linux mint for a couple of years and Ubuntu before that. Never and problems. Has always worked flawlessly. Upon starting my computer up recently after going into the grub menu and choosing Mint as usual I got this message. How can I fix this or at least get into my files to save them

Thanking you all

Ken

Attached Thumbnails

   

If/when you get left in busybox something is broke - usually a filesystem.

On the Mint I just looked at there is an "advanced" entry on the boot menu - select that. Then pick the topmost "Recovery" entry - and use that to boot. Should take you to a ncurses menu. Select the fsck entry (reply yes/ok throughout) - when the messages stop, hit <Enter>; will take you back to the menu, then select "Resume boot".

Hopefully that will fix it - if not we can try something else.

I trust this will only reinforce your belief in valid backups.

Thank you for helping me. I HAVE learned a lesson about backup here.

I tried doing as you described

The attached pictures show what the result is

Attached Thumbnails

   

according to the first screenshot, you did NOT choose recovery mode.
you have to highlight the recovery entry (by means of up/down cursor keys), then press enter.
please try again everything posted in post #2

(btw, the quip about backups is syg00's signature, it's under ALL their posts)

Here is the correct picture. I did curser down to the 2nd option. I ran it all again to be sure. Still same result. That's a good way to end all his messages. Keeps us thinking

Thanks

Attached Thumbnails

 

That's unfortunate. It's too hard to walk through recovery from busybox - too limited.

If you have a liveCD/USB - say the Mint install USB - boot that and see if you can mount your disk partitions. If so back up your data.
If not you can fsck them from a terminal from the liveCD.

Are you using an encrypted home partition ?.

It may be a failed kernel upgrade, can't you boot Mint with an older kernel?

I do have a live usb with mint installed. I will try that !

Thank you for that tip. I'll be back later with results.