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fsck - file system check
Use fsck to check and repair a file system. The file system must be unmounted when being check and repaired to prevent corruption!
Checking Root File System
The root file system can not be unmounted and checked. Two possible options to check the system are:
- Force the Root Filesystem to use fsck during reboot, The Geek Stuff covers this well in, How to Force Check Root Filesystem using fsck During Reboot. A summary of key commands:
- The Root file system is automatically checked at certain intervals. To check this:
sudo tune2fs -l /dev/sda1 | grep -i check. - To force a recheck at the next reboot, create the file forcefsck. At the next reboot a fsck will be performed and the forcefsck file removed. Commands:
cd /sudo touch forcefsck
- Boot the system to a rescue file system. From the rescue file system the main boot drive may then be checked with fsck. (Further details not given.)
Some other file system tips:
- To check current mounted disks use
df -h - To check current disks use
sudo fdisk -l. (This is a disk partition command. Be careful with use.) - To check current disks use
sudo parted -l. (This is a disk partition command, more modern than fdisk. Be careful with use.) - To check directory size use
sudo du --max-depth=1 --all -h - The filesystem boot file is /etc/fstab,
sudo vim /etc/fstab. (Be careful with editing this.)