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Boot Ubuntu from a Live USB, identify the installed system’s data volume and a separate backup destination, then copy and verify important files before attempting a disk repair. If the drive may be physically failing or the data is irreplaceable, avoid further writes and prioritize imaging the device or getting professional recovery advice.
Choose between copying files and imaging the volume
A file copy is suitable when the disk is readable and you need selected personal files, such as documents and photos, on another drive. A volume image preserves a broader snapshot for later recovery work. Ubuntu recommends imaging a damaged device and working on the image where possible; it also advises saving an image of a volume before repair if the data is too valuable to risk. Ubuntu Community Help: DataRecovery and Ubuntu Desktop Help: Repair a damaged filesystem explain these precautions.
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| Approach | What it preserves | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Copy files | Selected folders and files | The volume is readable and the goal is to save user files before repair |
| Image the volume or device | A broader source image for later recovery work | The device is damaged or the data is especially valuable |
Prepare separate boot and backup media
Use one USB stick to start the Ubuntu live session and a different drive as the backup destination. Ubuntu’s desktop guide specifies a USB stick of at least 8 GB for creating installation media, and warns that writing the Ubuntu image erases data on the selected stick. That minimum applies to the installer media, not to the backup destination; the latter needs enough space for the files or image you intend to save. Ubuntu: Create a bootable USB stick.
- Do not erase the only copy of important files to make the Live USB.
- Keep the backup drive separate from the disk you intend to repair.
- If the source may be failing, minimize activity on it and do not begin by running repairs or lengthy tests.
Boot Ubuntu without installing it
- Insert the Live USB and start the computer from it, using the computer’s boot menu if necessary.
- Choose the option to try Ubuntu without installing it, if the startup screen offers that choice.
- Connect the separate backup drive and wait for the live desktop to recognize available storage.
Drive names and mount paths vary by computer. A name such as /dev/sda is only an example; NVMe drives and different device order can produce different names. Do not identify a disk by an example name or assume that every volume will mount automatically. Ubuntu’s recovery guidance cautions against automatically mounting the affected partition or swap space when recovering from a failed device. Ubuntu Community Help: DataRecovery.
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Identify the source and destination before copying
In the live desktop, inspect the available disks and partitions before opening or copying anything. Work out which volume contains the installed system’s personal files and which mounted volume is the separate backup drive. Confirm the destination is not a partition on the disk you are repairing: a backup stored on the same physical device may be lost if that device fails.
If the source is readable and not showing signs of physical failure, you can use the file manager to open the source volume and copy the personal folders you need to the backup drive. Do not assume every installation will automount cleanly or that an encrypted volume will be accessible; the steps for unlocking encrypted installations depend on their configuration.
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Copy important files and verify them
- Copy irreplaceable personal files first, before less important material.
- Wait for the copy operation to finish and check the destination for the expected folders and files.
- Open representative files from the backup drive to make sure they are readable.
A completed copy indicator alone does not confirm that the files you care about are present and usable. Check the backup itself before moving on to repair. If the data is especially valuable or the disk is damaged, use an image-based recovery approach where feasible rather than repeatedly reading or repairing the original.
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Stop if the drive appears to be failing
Unusual noises, repeated input/output errors, a drive disappearing from the live session, or steadily declining readability are reasons to stop routine attempts. Ubuntu’s recovery guidance warns that writing to a failed device can worsen hardware failure or overwrite data that might otherwise be recoverable. For irreplaceable data, avoid further writes and seek professional advice rather than repeatedly trying repairs or long diagnostics. Ubuntu Community Help: DataRecovery.
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Repair only after preserving the data
Checking a filesystem and repairing it are different operations. Ubuntu’s desktop help says a filesystem check does not modify the filesystem, while a repair attempts to bring it into a consistent state and can move damaged file parts to lost+found. A failed repair may leave imaging the volume as a later recovery option, so preserve valuable data first. Ubuntu Desktop Help: Repair a damaged filesystem.
fsck is a front end for checking and optionally repairing Linux filesystems. Its target can be a device, mount point, filesystem label, or UUID; that does not make a generic repair command safe for every system. Before any repair, confirm the actual partition and filesystem type, ensure the filesystem is unmounted, and consult the relevant filesystem-specific instructions. The Ubuntu Resolute fsck manpage documents the utility’s scope. Ubuntu manpage: fsck.
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Use disk-health checks as supporting evidence, not a reason to delay
smartctl can report SMART information and run disk self-tests, but its output may be limited by an intermediate layer such as a USB bridge. An extended test can take several hours. If the disk appears to be failing, preserve the data first rather than waiting on a long test; SMART results are supporting evidence, not a substitute for a backup. These details are documented in the Ubuntu Noble smartctl manpage. Ubuntu manpage: smartctl.
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