Can't log in after crash / Need to get files
 

I hope to goodness that I'll be able to get my files out alive. I'm never going to use Linux again after today. I made two little mistake. I uninstalled the wrong KDE element, and pressed the reset button when I couldn't find reboot in some other GUI that came up, and it made the entire operating system explode!

After the crash and "mount fix", my log in window now looks like this:

I tried to log in through my user account and root. The screen would flash a little and then it would go back to the login window. And before the crash, I did reinstall the kde elements it needed. Or at least I think I did.

Could someone tell me, PLEASE, how I can go in and get my files out of my account, or how I could fix this problem?

Use your install disk, do a "upgrade". That should replace the missing system files, and repair user:root, but for user:your_name_here, you may be SOL, so make an additional user:temp_user to login, just incase, then you should be able to recover just fine.

I'm going to try this. I'll post the results shortly. Thank you for the suggestion.

The Good News: My files are all safe and well. I kept clicking through the different GUIs for the users until I found one that worked.

The Bad News: The only UI that worked was the command line based one.


Is there a way I could load KDE from the command line, or use recovery disk of some kind (maybe KNOPPIX) so I can log in with a GUI and burn my files off?

I am curious why you say you will never use Linux again, if you don't mind me asking.

On another note, you probably can use Knoppix to burn your files to disk.

On the OFF chance that doesn't work, you can do an install instead, formatting your / partion, but not your /home partion. This is the default behavior, so no worrying about changing settings.

Chances are that your /home partion is just fine, but you might run into permission problems with trying to login as user:your_name_here, hence the need for adding user:temp_user.

Either way, if you can't login using your old name, use the temp one, and "su root" to gain access to any file you need to.

Elsewise you can login as root, but I don't recommend it.

Edit:
A live cd will work fine, knoppix, or any other.
Under knoppix, you'll have to do some things as root (write to HDD, etc)

Edit 2:
for clarity: I started writing this before you responded.

I left computer animation to become a filmmaker many years ago because I couldn't stand dealing with all the technical computer crap. I've been using Linux for the last couple of weeks now and it's been giving me too much of the stuff I don't like, technical computer crap (command lines, crap like this, etc). I'm tired of computers. I just want to get my work done. The only OS I think will let me do this in peace is probably the Macintosh.

So how would that work? I download the one CD, boot with it, and it'll give me an option for this?

Thank you for confirming this idea and your response.

I think everything is on one partition. :(

I still have space for another partition though. Do you think I could install Linux on that blank partition, and from there log into my accounts on the other partition?

If everything is on 1 parition (not likely):
I can think of about 10 ways to do that ok.
Use knoppix, open your harddrive / partion; rename all base folders/directorys to *old. (except maybe home)
example:
mv bin bin_old
mv boot boot_old
mv dev dev_old
same for: dev, etc, initrd, lib, mnt, opt, proc, root, sbin, sys, tmp, usr, var

them do an install without formatting the partion (use existing partion(s), the uncheck {x} format / )

Edit:
Oh, about the blank space: yes you can!!!
Use coustom partioning option durring install.
Again, there are 10 ways to skin this cat.
And as a bonus.. the cat can survive all 10 ;)

Edit:
Just don't format the partion where /home lives. The cat will die :cry:

LOL. Thanks a lot, godzero. :) Thank you to, Matir. You both have been very helpful. I'm going to go take a nap now. I'm very stressed and tired. I'll post the results tomorrow.