Could I restore my system ... ?
 

Hello,
I was using Ubuntu 11.10 on my laptop for about month. It worked perfect , no issues. Yesterday I realized that my screen got frozen and I can't navigate anymore. The only option for me was to push button. After that all my problems started :). First it didn't boot but gave me the list of options:
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-16-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-16-generic ( recovery mode )
Previous Linux versions
Memory test (memtest86+)
Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)
I tried all options but none of it restore my environment.
Then someone on Ubuntu forum recommended me to use Boot-Repair-Disk utility. I burned the disk, used it and clicked on the option 'Recommended Repair'. It did something ... and after that stated that now I could reboot the system. When I rebooted system it failed to boot but rather I've got a screen with this message:
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM.
Operating System not found

What does it mean? Am I dead with my Ubuntu or something else could be done to try to restore my system?
I just hate to think that I'll have to do everything from scratch.
Would highly appreciate any help.
Regards,
susja

Get the system rescue CD and
test your h/w first.

memtest
Gsmartctl


Did you install any proprietary driver? (like Nvidia or fglrx ... those can cause display problems)?

Try to get the output of

lspci -v

dmesg

hi amani,
I did not install any propriety drivers.
By rescue CD you mean Ubunty live CD, right? I don't have other than that. And that live has only 2 options: try or install.
As I mentioned before currently I can't get to command line i.e. I have only 1 option to run live CD. How can I run memtest and Gsmartctl? I had that option initially ... before I ran Boot-Repair-Disk.
Thanks for reply.

Your bios is set to pxe boot(network boot).
If it's not suppoesed to be set that way, change the bios to boot from hdd.

Follow EDDY1's instructions and if problem persists, then boot with the Ubuntu live CD and check.

Memtest option will be in the boot menu.

# smartctl -a /dev/sda

(for testing 1st hdd)

well ... I could boot directly from CD. Live CD does not have option to run memtest or get to command line and run smartctl
I'm about to try to re-install it over existing one without reformatting. I don't want to loose my data and config.
Not sure if live CD will allow me to do that but it's what I'm going to try now.
Regards,

Check bios settings to make sure they are set to boot hdd

-EDDY1,
I checked that my bios has this order of booting:
1. CD/DVD
2. HDD
3. floppy
4. network

I tried to use live CD and do install over existing one. It gave me 3 options 1. install aside 2. erase 3. something else. My goal is not to install aside and not to erase but rather keep existing data and restore.
Could you direct me which install option should I pick for that goal?
Appreciate your help,
susja

You may have a damaged drive which caused the original problems. Trying to fix it may have resulted in changes to how your system tries to boot. First make sure that your hard drive is used to boot in bios. You can also select it in your computer's quick boot menu. If your drive has errors over the /boot partition alone, it should be easy to back up your /home directory before fixing or reinstalling the problem.

did u try to install over existing? Of the options presented, which did you choose?
Use gparted-live resize partition, save /home then reinstall to unallocated space

sorry jschiwal ... I didn't get this one " First make sure that your hard drive is used to boot in bios", how should I check it or fix it? I checked in bios that quick boot is enabled. I can't get to command line and I can't run any diagnostic. The only thing that I could do is install from live CD
susja

well option 1 and 3 didn't work ... it complained about corrupted partition.
It looks that the only choice I have is option 2 i.e. erase everything.
Very sad ... but it looks that nothing could be done.
Thanks

well ... still continue to fight ...
I figured out that I could start option 3. It asked me which file system I want to use ( previous one was ext4 journaling file system ) ... so I choose the same it started to go ahead but then at step "saving installed packages" it looks that it stopped or looping inside because for hours it does not go ahead. Could I choose other than ext4 file system, could it make a difference?
Thanks,
susja

Selecting the hard drive as the boot device is done in BIOS, before the OS boots. From the live CD you can first see if your partitions exist. It's easier to solve a problem if you know what the problem is. In the leas, back up your home directory. After a fresh install, you can restore it, keeping your old data and settings.
t ojiihuf x:-) a

- jschiwal,
I'd like to do what you say ... but it's not clear to me still ...
I'd like to backup my /home directory to keep my data before I reimage my system and then restore it.
The problem for me is that when I use live CD I can't see any partitions or get to command line.
Thanks