Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive?

[Shabakthanai]

Kubuntu 7.04/KDE My system is dual boot. Since the crash of my Kubuntu partition, I installed a program that has allowed me to move 18gb of data from the Linux partition to the WinXP partition; still, the Kubuntu OS will not boot up. I am so new to Linux that I need help if a solution can be found using the Terminal. I have checked the postings on the KDE forum too, and nothing similar can be found. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Steven

[Rog131]

Re: Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive

Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive

Yes (probably )

I installed a program that has allowed me to move 18gb of data from the Linux partition to the WinXP partition; still, the Kubuntu OS will not boot up.

Tell more:
What program (is it windows program or what ?) ?

Where it stops (grub, graphical log in screen, blank screen, text only screen...)


Links (disk full):
Topic: Booting till X-windows' black screen - no KDE, not responding
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3085948.0

Topic: Kubuntu fails to give an out of memory warning
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3086089.0


Can you start virtual konsole ?

Links (no gui):
Topic: How to get started with no GUI
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3085112.0

Topic: HOWTO : Repairing xorg.conf
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3082808.0


FAQ: Free Disk Space
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3086353.0

[Shabakthanai]

Re: Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive

I am dual-boot, Kubuntu 7.04/KDE. When I look at a Partition Magic evaluation of the partitions on my hard drives using XP and My Computer using XP, they have differed in the amount of hard drive space shown by the Kubuntu partition. The Kubuntu partition has shown a percentage that differs from XP. I have need of increasing my hard drive space, however, I believed I had about 6.5gb of space on Kubuntu when the system shut down. It is a crash, but a different kind of crash than I have experienced before. Instead of locking up on a screen, the computer shuts down. When I re-boot, that beautiful Kubuntu screen comes on the desktop and immediately turns the computer off. I then attempted to re-boot in two recovery modes that were available as choice when I decide between XP and Kubuntu on boot-up. Several screens of DOSlike data come on the screen so fast that they cannot be read and the system shuts off again. Because I can boot up in XP, I looked at the drive space usage using Partition Magic as mentioned above. I noticed that the Kubuntu partition was completely filled and made the conclusion that that is what caused the crash, hence the subject of this post. I downloaded a program that allowed me to view ext2 partition identity and also can reat ext3 as are in my OS. I immediately moved almost 9gb of data to the XP hard drive and attempted re-booting in Kubuntu. The problem remained the same. I then moved an additional 10gb thinking maybe that would help. The problem remained. I then entered f12 but could not find anything useful. Next I opened f2. This time, I, at one point, got what appeared somewhat like a terminal screen with the word grub> and a blinking cursor. Not knowing how to use the terminal very well, I attempted something that seemed logical at the time (sorry can't remember what it was) and a listing of what you could ask of grub came on the screen. I tried several of the choices, however, I could not understand how to use any of the information that followed, and went back to the XP operating system (OS) to get on the forums for help. Since then I have tried to get back to that grub> screen, but have not found the path again. I have only Kubuntu data on an 80gb Maxtor Sata drive. I have an ext3 partition on my other hard drive that is mostly XP. Using the new program that I downloaded that permitted me to move data to the XP partition I was unable to view the contents of that ext3 partition. I was however able to read it using Partition Magic, but use or movement of that data was not allowed. If you don't know how to get me back to that grub> screen, could you please post some code that might help, should I be able to find my way back? Of cource my gratitude is immeasurable. Thanks in advance!! :P I don't know how to attach a screenshot or I would let you see what Partition Magic and My computer show.

I hate to leave my terminal right now, however, I have a commitment to help at the church and won't be back for a couple of hours; I'll check in when I return.

[Rog131]

Re: Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive

Shabakthanai send e-mail:
Copying it here, so others can give they share of tips.

Thank you for answering my post. I responded to your inquiry with all the information I could remember relating to my problem. "Topic: Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive?", is the title to my post, for reference.
You said, " Tell more: What program (is it windows program or what ?) ?" If you are referring to the program I used to move data, it is a windows program ext2.exe. It permits you to assign a drive letter to the Linux partitions which mounts them. Then you can access them to move data. In the case of my home folder in Linux, I was actually able to play a movie from within the Linux partition that I engaged and watched on the WinXP OS.

You said, "Where it stops (grub, graphical log in screen, blank screen, text only screen...)" This is where it crashes in a way I have never experienced. During boot-up, when the Kubuntu logo appears on a blue screen, just prior to opening, the computer turns off. It doesn't just freeze, it turns the computer off. I am answering your posted response here. As soon as I am finished I will view and study the sites you mentioned.

You said, "Can you start virtual konsole ?" I would appologize for being stupid, however, I wouldn't get any time to answer questions. I don't know what a virtual konsole is.

You have kindly given me 5 links to study. It will probably take me a while to digest the material; I will read and fix myself if I am able to understand and apply the information. If I am still stumped, I will write you again. Perhaps giving you all this information is unnecessary, because if the solution is there, I will find it. (Providing I can understand it.) Thanks my friend.

[Rog131]

Re: Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive

Shabakthanai send message:
Copying it here, so others can give they share of tips.

Hello,

I assume you have gotten my email and or read my response on the Kubuntu forum. In any event, I just purchased a Maxtor 500gb Hard Drive; it will be here in a couple of days. It is exterior and firewire called one touch III. My question, if you are willing to answer is, using that Windows program that allowed me to assign drive letters to my ext3 partitions and access my data on the crashed and non-responsive Kubuntu OS, can I transfer the data to the new Hard Drive? Will it retain my Kubuntu OS? Will the Kubuntu OS open or just repeat the crash? Will the dual-boot function have to be re-addressed? Is there anything you are willing to share that I should know before moving data? Thanks friend.

[Rog131]

Re: Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive

using that Windows program that allowed me to assign drive letters to my ext3 partitions and access my data on the crashed and non-responsive Kubuntu OS, can I transfer the data to the new Hard Drive?

Well - i don't have that program in my MS Windows, so i can't answer that. But you can use your Kubuntu install CD (livecd) for that (if your new hard drive is non-NTFS).

Will the Kubuntu OS open or just repeat the crash?

If this is "disk full" problem then Kubuntu should start.

But if there are other problems - well, let's hope...

Will the dual-boot function have to be re-addressed?

If the Kubuntu root partition stays at the same place then no.

For changin/repairing dual-boot functions (GRUB):
HOW TO: GRUB Methods - Toolkit
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3081671.0

Is there anything you are willing to share that I should know before moving data?

Hmm - i would:
1) Rescue data
2) Make new Kubuntu installation with 3 (4) Linux partitons:

• / (root) partition, Kubuntu programs and settings are here.
• Home partition, KDE and user(s) settings are here.
• Data partition(s), everything else is here.
• 4th partition is swap partition.

My opinion:

One partion (+swap) system is bad. You can kill your OS by saving stuff. And if you have fast internet connection then one partition system is very bad thing > .

Two partition (+swap) system is a bit better. With two partitions you only can kill KDE.


Afterthought:

Install CD offers: Rescue a broken system.

That will give you:

Rescue operations

• Execute a shell in <your root partiton>
• Execute a shell in the installer enviroment
• Reinstall GRUB boot loader
• Choose a different root file system
• Reboot the system

If you are familiar with Unix/Linux commands then you could examine (and repair ) your broken system.


Links:

Partitioning Windows and Ubuntu
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partitioning

Swap Partition FAQ
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwapFaq

Topic: Trouble with manual partitioning during install
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3086661.0

Topic: Looking for a guide explaining how to manually partition and install Kubuntu
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3086014.0

Topic: Partitioning advice
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3086612.0

Topic: installation of Kubuntu on a partition
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3085482.0

Topic: Windows + Kubuntu -- How should I partition?
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3084798.0

Topic: root and home directory in different folder or partition
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3084589.0

Topic: Drive Resize for install have a question
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3085954.0

Topic: Moving Kubuntu From One Hard Drive to Another Without Re-Install?
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3086936.0

Topic: New Hard Drive
http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3086856.0

[Shabakthanai]

Re: Can a crash be fixed when too much data has been entered into the hard drive

I don't know how to do your 'rescue list'. I purchased a new hard drive and am waiting for delivery. It is an exterior hard drive with FireWire800, FireWire400, and USB2. I will study your recommendations while I am waiting. I am especially grateful for the site addresses, I will bookmark them in the new hard drive, back up everything there, then use what I have learned in correcting my existing hard drive problems. Hopefully, I will save and recover all the data in the back up. Can I cut and paste the entire contents of a hard drive and get everything including all hidden files? I hope to be able to cut and paste the crashed Linux primary data and OS without including the configuration problem, if that is the problem. You can see my limited knowledge, I am sure. Thanks for the help. It looks like I may be a while before I have tried everything on your list; I will repost if necessary should I fail again. I will probably install Gutsy on the new drive too.