Ubuntu

Repairing a Ubuntu installation using the CD

Asked by Marcus

Does the Ubuntu 8.04 CD have a repair option? I've posted two questions on issues that have come up on my notebook using Ubuntu 8.04. Until these problems arose the system operating flawlessly. (the two posts are: 44695 & 44791)

I'm thinking that in order to fix the underlining problem I need to repair the installation. Would running the installation CD wipe out the existing installation thus requiring my reconfiguring the system back?

Thanks in advance for your time in answering my question.

marcus

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Jim Hutchinson (jphutch) said : 		#1

I'm not aware of any repair function, but if you use the CD to reinstall that would have the same effect - except it would wipe out everything including changes, files, etc. It's a bit drastic but I've resorted to it many times. Sometimes a 20 minute reinstall beats days of troubleshooting.

However, if you really need to save the set up then you can probably fix it. Neither of your other issues is overly drastic so if you are willing to plod along and fix them that would probably be a good learning experience. If, however, you are just wanting a clean slate then back up anything important and reinstall.

However, it's important to note that simply booting the live CD doesn't do anything. It's just a live session that doesn't impact the installed system(s) in any way - unless you run the installer. One trick I learned was to put my home directory on a separate partition. That allows for reinstalling the OS but not making any changes to my personal files (still good to back them up though just in case).

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Jake Willoughby (onionjake) said : 		#2

If you put in the CD again and install...

The partition manager has three options, choose the last.

You should see partitions about swap and another one (EXT3).

Open the EXT3 partition and set the mount point to /.

Hit next.

The installer will warn you that you are installing in a partition that has already been installed. Ubuntu will try and be intelligent and only wipe system files. This is not guaranteed to work so make sure all needed files are backed up.

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Marcus (mark-westrick) said : 		#3

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

 I have my home directory on a separate partition & back it up regularly. I can also create a list of applications using a hack so getting things back to 'normal shouldn't take too much time (that my schedule doesn't have).

I just need to see what happens in the next few days. If I can get the Synaptic Package Manager working & the damage is limited to only that one .odt file then troubleshooting is probably the best way to go. If my system has more systemic problems then starting over might just be the ticket.

Any possibility that the folks at Ubuntu might build a repair feature into a future version?

marcus