I can't boot my Ubuntu 9.10
 

Hello,
I am very new to the ubuntu 9.10. This machine was dell 745 and installed ubuntu 91.0 on it. I accidentally deleted lots of files like /bin/partition etc.I wanted to delete the Fog cloning software I installed and deleted mysql database(this was intentional).After that I could not boot my machine. I tried boot loader cd but nothing helped. I can't see any partition. I have live cd ubuntu 9.10. I booted from cd and selected not to installed on HD drive. I took terminal and tried to see devices by fdisk -l but it gave me error.Is there any way I can reboot my computer? Please keep in mind I am very new in Linux.I tried testdisk but do not know how to use it.

Thanks,

Ubuntunew

I'd like to suggest you to perform a clean install (if possible) :) . If there are no crucial data, just re-install Ubuntu. And next time, don't delete such things.

Ubuntu One is a great cloud service offered by Ubuntu where you can back-up your files (like dropbox- but Ubuntu One gives you 5 GB free).

What kind of error? We need more information to help you. Even if you have deleted a lot of files - partitions should
state intact.

I think he deleted an important lib required to access partition with fdisk.

Well, I think you should perform a clean install (just like leosubhadeep says). If you don't care much about amything but your personal data, just back up your '/home/*' directory.

if you do a clean re-install, use a newer version than 9.10. 9.10 is out of date and not supported anymore.

I'll echo the comments for a fresh install as 9.10 is outdated. I'll also echo the comment that you need to provide the error messages instead of stating that it gave you an error. Further you usually need sudo to run fdisk under Ubuntu (or it will not show anything); might be different for liveCD though.

Not if OP booted from a live CD ;)

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your replay. I can't re-install ubuntu 9.10. I have mysql database(there was customers name&addresses and I did not deleted)with. When I tried boot from hard drive I received error 'Missing Operating System'. I think I made it worse by using Boot repair cd. After that I could not mount hard drive. I will post more information once I go to work.

I am not sure whether this can solve your problem, here's something you might love to read, understand and apply: How To Network Boot (PXE) The Ubuntu LiveCD.

God help the database full of precious data not backed up in time, no kidding !!

I think that this is going to be an exercise in recovery techniques.

That's a contradictio in terminis

Do not do any further recovery actions on that harddisk!
The way to go here is:
1. Boot from a live-CD and make a complete backup of your disk (or at least the partition with the database) to an external harddisk, using dd or ddrescue.
2. From now on, make all attempts of recovery on that image, not the harddisk.

Try to restore the partition using testdisk from a live system or another Linux system. If you are able to recover the partition-table of the image you may be able to mount the partitions and rescue your data. If you are not able to mount the partition you may be able to repair the file-system using fsck.

Sorry I have to say that, but running a valuable database on an outdated system without backup would be a reason for me to fire the administrator.

In your initial post you indicate you are very new to Ubuntu 9.10 so does that mean you just installed it and haven't really used it?
You refer to a "bootloader cd", what bootloader CD?
In your initial post you indicate you "deleted mysql database(this was intentional)" and in post #7 you indicate you still have a mysql database with customer info. Which is it?
When you boot the Ubuntu CD and select the "Try without installing" option and open a terminal type: sudo fdisk -l (you should not need a password to get output)

Is Ubuntu the only operating system on the computer?

If you do actually have data on the drive you need, then you need to follow the advice above by TobiSGD and back it up.

Thanks everyone for your reply,


In your initial post you indicate you are very new to Ubuntu 9.10 so does that mean you just installed it and haven't really used it?
In your initial post you indicate you "deleted mysql database(this was intentional)" and in post #7 you indicate you still have a mysql database with customer info. Which is it?
(1) No I installed it long ago by following Ubuntu link.
(2) You refer to a "bootloader cd", what bootloader CD? I was referring "Boot-Repair"
(3) I installed FOG Cloning software from opensource and It had machine info as well as which user used that machine.
(4) I also downloaded the TestDisk from Ubuntu and tried to recover the data but I could not.But I am able to see my hard drive by using fdisk -l command.

I will try to follow TobiSGD advice and see if I can recover the data

This is a good lesson on keeping backups.
Can you boot the livecd and check if the partition is accessible? If it is, then backup the important data immediately.

Hey, I was just trying to help out. Others are saying the same thing, their way! Can you please explain how I've made a 'contradictio in terminis'? :eek:

See my sig. 'precious data' and 'not backed up' are contradicting each other in the same sentence.

I know you were trying to help, no offense was intended.