How to repair/recover Kubuntu 18.04?

[Iangh]

I accidentally removed the KDE package on my wife's PC (I had a brain snap). As soon as I started the install in Discover I realised it was wrong (hoped my wife was isn't in the vicinity) and checked for it to be re-installed. Think to myself that was easy.

Boot the PC and the icons on the right of the task bar (wireless, sound, etc.) have moved to the left and I have no access to the PC - the application launcher is stuffed. Fortunately, I take backups of docs, photos, etc. so just re-installed.

Was there an easier way?

[jglen490]

As long as you re-installed all the apps not normally installed with the stock Kubuntu, and then recovered the /home/<username> directories and files, it should be fine.

Probably no easier way unless you decide to routinely backup the OS as well as user data files.

[oshunluvr]

Warning, Shameless feature plug here: There is a way to protect yourself from this - use btrfs as a file system. btrfs supports "snapshots" of the file system and it's amazingly easy and fast. I have an automatic snapshot taken daily of both my OS and home. Any time I feel like I'm about to do something "dangerous" I just take a snapshot. If I break something, a minute or less later and I'm right back were I was.

I encourage you to read up on btrfs and consider it - at least for your next install if not sooner.

[Nasty7]

I couldn't find anything on btrfs that would make me think I need it, can you link me to something that may be better than what I've read? I'll take your word for it that it's something good to look into oshunluvr as you are clearly very knowledgeable. If so I will definitely try it out on my next install. I of course always see it when doing a new install and wonder what it is all about. I just don't see much current info on it pertaining to the average end user like me.

Can I use BTRFS on a possible Windows 10 dual boot using GPT atm? I would think not. Well, the end of 14.04 is coming soon and will have another computer that I could use it on, another dedicated Linux one.

I guess it is faster than using something like Timeshift? I've used Timeshift for years now, but luckily don't need it very often.

[oshunluvr]

I couldn't find anything on btrfs that would make me think I need it... I just don't see much current info on it pertaining to the average end user like me.

In a word - snapshots. You're frustrated about having something messed up you can't seem to fix? Restore a snapshot and start over. You want to try out a new video driver and end ends up breaking your video? Restore a snapshot. I could go on...

Can I use BTRFS on a possible Windows 10 dual boot using GPT atm? I would think not.

Why would you conclude that? Windows is crippled and can only read FAT or NTFS drives. It won't even know that a BTRFS file system is present. The drive partition scheme (GPT vs. MBR) also has nothing to do with it. I don't know what "atm" means unless that's "at the moment". If so, the answer is YES. I'm currently setting up two Dell laptops that dual boot Windows 10 and KDEneon 18.04.

I guess it is faster than using something like Timeshift? I've used Timeshift for years now, but luckily don't need it very often.

I've never used Timeshift, but I can say that taking a snapshot with BTRFS is instantaneous and reverting to a snapshot take about 10-15 seconds. I doubt Timeshift works like that.

[Nasty7]

In a word - snapshots. You're frustrated about having something messed up you can't seem to fix? Restore a snapshot and start over. You want to try out a new video driver and end ends up breaking your video? Restore a snapshot. I could go on...

So Speed would be one key factor. What about doing it on a live system like System Restore on Windows? Timeshift needs to be run from a bootable media and that is obviously a drawback.

Why would you conclude that? Windows is crippled and can only read FAT or NTFS drives. It won't even know that a BTRFS file system is present. The drive partition scheme (GPT vs. MBR) also has nothing to do with it. I don't know what "atm" means unless that's "at the moment". If so, the answer is YES. I'm currently setting up two Dell laptops that dual boot Windows 10 and KDEneon 18.04.

Why would I include that? Well, I have a Windows 10 machine that I need but want to put Kubuntu on it.

I just realized I'm Hijacking this thread so will bow out. Sorry Iangh

I've never used Timeshift, but I can say that taking a snapshot with BTRFS is instantaneous and reverting to a snapshot take about 10-15 seconds. I doubt Timeshift works like that.

No, Timeshift is slower, but will create a backup in about 7 minutes I believe after the first on is created. I will try it next time I install.

[oshunluvr]

Yeah, probably a good idea to start your own thread.