Ubuntu not booting due to filesystem error?





Has your Ubuntu system stopped booting after initiating a hard disk error checking? It isn't uncommon to see a disk error message after a forced shut down or crash or power loss.

When you try to boot Ubuntu, it will begin a disk check which will then give you an error message saying "mount of filesystem failed". The message will also say that a maintenance shell will be started. It will also inform you that Control+D will restart the maintenance shell. The system will then stop giving any message, leaving you with a blinking cursor. What to do next?


Run filesystem check manually

  1. Type fsck and press enter to begin a checking of the filesystem. 
  2. It will then seek permission from you to fix the errors. 
  3. Press "Y" or whatever it prompts to fix the errors. 
  4. Once all errors have been fixed and the consistency of the filesystem restored, it will give a message saying filesystem was modified.
  5. Exit the maintenance shell by pressing Control+D or using exit command.
  6. Ubuntu will now start booting.

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Author: Pritam P Hans

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009

2 comments | Leave a comment

2 Responses to "Ubuntu not booting due to filesystem error?"

Jordan  (November 27, 2009 11:37 PM)
I wish I had seen this about a week ago, when this EXACT thing happened to me, and forced me to spend about two days doing acrobatics with my Acer Aspire One to get it to actually boot. Led me to post something very nasty about Ubuntu / EEEBuntu / Easy Peasy on Twitter.

Ugh.

Thanks for the post, though - now I know for future reference!
Anonymous  (January 18, 2010 4:33 AM)
You rock! Thanks!

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