[SOLVED] Need to access stored files after disaster

[davidjr]

I am new to Linux. I was running Ubuntu 10.04. While downloading software, one of my downloads changed changed my OS to Xubuntu. From browsing the available software, I surmised(wrongfully it turned out) that files starting were X files. In Synaptic, I deleted all files starting with X. This I found is a form of hari kari. When I boot up now, I have a choice of straight to Ubuntu or "Help" mode. If I boot up straight, I get to Ubuntu logo and it hangs up running the dots between red and green and I give a warm boot to restart. If I choose the "Help" route, I go thru what a windows user would call DOS commands or activity. At the end of whatever it is doing, it asks for user ID and password. I give it those and I am given a command line. I don't know what to do with this. I would like to access my stored files and save them. If nothing can be done to save them, I will just start over by reinstalling 10.04. BTW I am running 7.1 from an old boot disc. Is there some way that I can retrieve my files? Thanks for any help.

[Jonathan183]

Boot from a live CD, mount the hard drive partitions an copy them to an external hard drive. After you have done that you can either re-install the OS or try to just add a GUI and if necessary fix the exiting OS.
If you need more help mounting partitions and copying the data then post the output of fdisk -l so we can see the disk partition structure. If you need a live CD to boot the system and save your data then PartedMagic will do the job

[davidjr]

Thanks for your help. I tried booting as you suggested but I couldn't do it.
Earlier while in windows, I downloaded ubuntu 10.04 as an iso file. I burned this to a cd but it apparently is not a bootable disk. I set the CMOS to boot from cd on all options, so that is not the problem. Is an iso supposed to a bootable disk? David

[Lostfarmer]

Is an iso supposed to a bootable disk?

likely one of 2 problems.
When you 'burn ISO' be sure that is the function set in the burner program not make bootable cd. Burning at a slow speed is better.

[Jonathan183]

You have to burn image to disk ... see here for instructions - scroll down the page.
Did you do a Wubi install originally ?

Ed: if you end up burning another CD then as Lostfarmer suggests ... burn at the lowest speed you can select

[davidjr]

I was running 10.04 thru wubi before disaster. I have saved some of the files and can restore others with a bit of effort. I now want to run 10.04 free and clear of windows ties. I can still access windows. I am presently running 7.1 from cd. I reburned
Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS i386.iso at slowest speed and tried to boot(install) but it would not install. My goal is to wipe everything from past OS's and install 10.04 as my OS. Can you help? Thanks.

[Jonathan183]

If you can boot the existing Ubuntu Wubi install you should be able to transfer information from it to a pen drive or a Windows partition ... you will just end up having to mount partitions and copy data using the terminal. If you want to do this then let us know, boot the Ubuntu Wubi install, type

sudo blkid
mount

and post the output here.

If you don't want to try to save the data from the Wubi install then follow the information to manually uninstall Wubi (see link I posted above on Wubi).

For installation it is up to you if you want to resize Windows partition or wipe the drive and just install Ubuntu. You can do either from the live CD. Before using the CD to install check the integrity of the install media (it's one of the startup options). After you have confirmed it is OK then use it to install Ubuntu. Be careful if you want to retain Windows data ... I think the default install option when you boot from the CD is to install using the whole hard drive.

[davidjr]

To Jonathon and the farmer
Thanks. Using your tips and a little finnagling, I managed to install 10.04 and am running. I have many questions which I will post separately. Thanks again. David

[Jonathan183]

Glad you are sorted ... can you mark this thread solved.