[SOLVED] linux doesn't start.

muggie · 02-09-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredegar

... Because your installation is broken (you probably powered it down badly, the filesystem is corrupted, so it will not work even in "recovery mode").

Then download and burn one (on a different computer, if necessary).

You need a "live CD distro" to hand, in case of future problems. My knoppix CD from years ago (?2006) still rescues me from problems.

Otherwise, download and burn the current 'buntu, it'll run from "live CD" - and it will not use your HDD unless asked to do so. So you can probably use it to correct the fault(s) on your current installation.

Download a "live CD", burn it, boot from it, and we'll probably be able to help you.

Here is your answer :-)

evo2 · 02-09-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elishac

Ok, I'm downloading it at the moment. But it sounds weird to me that I have to download the whole thing.

No there are other ways to fix your system, but this is probably the easiest way.

Quote:

I won't lose my personal data and personal system settings, will I ?

When you boot the cd there will be an option to install or to use as a live system. As long ans you do not choose the install option your settings/data will be untouched.

Evo2.

elishac · 02-09-2010, 08:25 PM

So, I downloaded the file and put it in my dvd using cdburnerxp.
Is it normal that windows explorer can see the contents of the file (directories and files), or did I do the burning wrong and the file should only be seen as a .iso ?

evo2 · 02-09-2010, 08:50 PM

I have no idea about "windows explorer" or how to burn a cd under windows, but there are instructions in a link from the URL I posted in post #14.

Did you read the instructions? Have you tried booting the CD?

Evo2.

elishac · 02-10-2010, 09:54 AM

Yes, I finally managed to make it boot from the cd.
Can you tell me exactly what I have to do from here ?

tredegar · 02-10-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Can you tell me exactly what I have to do from here ?

You have not told us what you have booted, it might have helped if you want "exactly"

So here goes.
Boot from the CD
When you get to the desktop, go through the menus and find gparted. It might be referred to as "Partition Editor" if you have booted one of the 'buntus.
Start it.
A window opens.
Click Gparted (menu at top left) then click Devices, and choose the device that holds your ubuntu HDD partition.
It'll probably show up as an ext3 filesystem. It is NOT NTFS.
If you are not sure which disk is which, go through them all, just looking at them, until you work it out.

When you have the right device/HDD selected,
in the lower window, where it says "Partition Filesystem Size etc." R-click on your ubuntu partition.
If the option to "Check" the partition is greyed out, click on "Unmount" to ummount it, then try to check it again.

You'll see a list of things gparted is going to do in the lowest window.
It should now say "Check & repair filesystem on ....."
Click the green "Apply" Button. Or do "Edit" -> "Apply operations".

Once it has checked (and hopefully fixed) your ubuntu partition(s), shutdown the PC, remove the CD and reboot to see if it has mended your broken ubuntu installation.

If not, I think you'll need a reinstall, but at least you have a CD you can use now.

elishac · 02-10-2010, 12:10 PM

The CD I have booted from is the one I got here :
http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download (9.10, 32 bit).
The first screen requires me to choose a language. Beneath it, there are various options (f1 to f6).
Should I choose one of the options or just press "enter"?

elishac · 02-10-2010, 03:36 PM

I'll be waiting for specific instructions, because I don't know anything about system manipulation and I don't want to do anything that might harm my computer (more than it already is, that is :/).

Mr-Bisquit · 02-10-2010, 05:19 PM

Open a terminal and type in:

Code:

$sudo su
# fdisk -l
<output of fdsik -l>

Open a new tabon the terminal and type in

Code:

$apropos e2fs
<output of e2fs search>

Open an instance of firefox or a version there of and put http://www.google.com/linux in the url
Type

Quote:

fixing ext3 partitions

or a similar query in the box.
A set of Howto's should come up.

Code:

apropos e2fs
dumpe2fs             (8)  - dump ext2/ext3/ext4 filesystem information
e2fsck               (8)  - check a Linux ext2/ext3/ext4 file system
e2fsck [fsck]        (8)  - check a Linux ext2/ext3/ext4 file system
e2fsck.conf [e2fsck] (5)  - Configuration file for e2fsck
mke2fs               (8)  - create an ext2/ext3/ext4 filesystem
mke2fs [mkfs]        (8)  - create an ext2/ext3/ext4 filesystem
mke2fs.conf [mke2fs] (5)  - Configuration file for mke2fs
resize2fs            (8)  - ext2/ext3/ext4 file system resizer
tune2fs              (8)  - adjust tunable filesystem parameters on ext2/ext3/ext4 filesystems

elishac · 02-10-2010, 05:44 PM

errr. How to open a terminal ?
I'm stuck here. I have a window that asks me to choose a language. Beneath it, there are various options (from f1 to f6).
Should I choose one of the options or just press "enter"?

Mr-Bisquit · 02-10-2010, 05:55 PM

Choose the language you speak and write.
Follow the instructions allowing auto detection and fill-in when possible.
Let it boot up and tell us when you get to the desktop.
We will go from there.

The f key you choose is the answer- see first part of this post.

elishac · 02-10-2010, 06:38 PM

So I pressed enter.
now the options are :
try ubuntu without any change to your computer
install ubuntu
check disc for defects
test memory
boot from first hard disk
press f4 to select alternative start up and installation modes
f1 help f2 language f3 keymap f4 modes f5 accessibility f6 other options

damgar · 02-10-2010, 06:53 PM

Everyone has been guiding you towards booting into a live environment. That would be the option to "try ubuntu......" it is going to bring you into a working Ubuntu desktop THAT IS NOT YOUR INSTALLED SYSTEM.

elishac · 02-10-2010, 07:18 PM

ok. Sorry I'm not familiar with all these admin tasks.
So I chose the option try ubuntu, and now I opened a terminal.
should i type sudo fdisk -l then ?

damgar · 02-10-2010, 07:44 PM

You can probably use gparted. I'm assuming that you are looking at a Ubuntu Gnome desktop that looks like mine.

IF ANY OF MY ASSUMPTIONS ARE INCORRECT, OR YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ....DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT FOLLOWS!

At the top click:
system
administration
partition editor

You will see different partitions, and I'm assuming only one hard drive.
The partitions you are interested in will be of type ext3 or ext4 more than likely. The will have mount points listed probably as / and /home. LEAVE ANYTHING MARKED FAT OR NTFS ALONE!

Right click on one of the pertinent partitions. If there is an option to unmount select it, and when that has completed, right click again and choose "check"

Repeat for the other partition, partitions.

You may get errors, prompts about fixing, or completion notifications that everything is fine or has been repaired. If either fine or repaired, you can shutdown, remove the CD and try and reboot. To see if anything has been fixed.