Serious problem: destroying linux

[gemm]

Hi,

I think I have destroyed my whole linux system. I wanted to mount a USB stick, and used the command:
mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/usbkey
However, /dev/sda1 was not right to use, and after executing the command, I got in /mnt/usbkey all directories, which are in the root directory: bin, mnt, ...etc. I tried to unmount what I have mounted, and used this command:
umount /mnt/usbkeys
But nothing happened - these directories were still in /mnt/usbkeys. I thought they are just copies of the real directories, and ... decided to delete them. After that I could not open my console anymore. I restarted, but I cannot start linux anymore, I am getting:
Warning: unable to open an initial console.

It seems that nothing could be undone, couldn't it?
Have I destroyed everything?
(just wanted to ask you as a last hope)

I am (was) using Slackware 12.0.0

[Jonathan183]

Did you install Linux to /dev/sda1 ?
Were you logged in as root when you tried to delete information ?

if the answer to both the above is yes then you have probably wiped your root partition. If you created separate /home and/or other user data partitions you should be able to reinstall but select only root and swap partitions during the install process.

You could try booting from a live CD, mount the partition an check if there is anything left on it.

[gemm]

Thank you for the fast reply.

I think Linux was installed to /dev/sda1 (I am not 100% sure).
To the second question: yes, I was logged in as root, when I deleted everything.

On my computer I have (had) two partitions: for Windows, and for Linux. And swap partitions. I think I haven't created any separate /home and/or other user data partitions (I used the computer from my user profile, and as root, when necessary).

I will try booting from a live CD, as you suggested.

[Irithori]

sorry to say that, but yes.
You wiped out your root partition.

What happened is this: you have mounted /dev/sda1 (your root)
additionaly to another place ( /mnt/usbkey ) .

And as you were root while issuing the rm, the system was killed.

Question:
Did you wait until the deletion ended?
Or did you shut down the PC in the process?

In the later case, you _might_ get some data back (i.e. your homedirectory),
if you
- boot from a Knoppix (or another live CD)
- mount /sda1 and
- see what's left.

The remains can then be copied to a usb stick, network share, etc

As for the system: Re-Install

[Jonathan183]

If you have lost data you don't have a backup of then something like testdisk may help, otherwise the best approach is a fresh install ... avoid root login unless you really need it - and then use it for the minimum number of commands you can.