Removing files using only the command line (GUI crashed)

[gdarroch]

Hi all,

I've got this problem: I can't access the gui, and only have the command line:

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=145928

I'd like to remove the files I've put on the desktop to an external drive, so I can do a fresh install (I'm undecided between LM15 again and Win7). How do I do this using the command line?

[WharfRat]

gdarroch,

Any particular folder or your entire home

Do you know how to mount the external or does it mount when you plug it in

[gdarroch]

Hi WharfRat, I haven't tried a mount yet. I'll let you know how that goes. At this stage I'm better to get the entire home drive, I think.

[gdarroch]

I plugged in the USB but I'm not sure if it's mounting. What do I do to access the file menu?

[WharfRat]

I plugged in the USB but I'm not sure if it's mounting. What do I do to access the file menu?

Check under /media/yourname. When I plug in a flash drive that's where it mounts. You can use:

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mount|grep media

If it's not mounted check if fdisk sees it:

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sudo fdisk -lu

It should be sdb or sdc depending on the number of internal drives. Look for a partition e.g., /dev/sdb1. You can try mounting it manually with:

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sudo mkdir /media/external

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sudo chown yourname:yourname  /media/external

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sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /media/external

To copy your home:

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cd /media/external

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cp -a /home/yourname .

Good luck

[linuxviolin]

I plugged in the USB but I'm not sure if it's mounting. What do I do to access the file menu?

Check under /media/yourname. When I plug in a flash drive that's where it mounts. You can use:

Code: Select all

mount|grep media

If it's not mounted check if fdisk sees it:

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sudo fdisk -lu

It should be sdb or sdc depending on the number of internal drives. Look for a partition e.g., /dev/sdb1. You can try mounting it manually with:

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sudo mkdir /media/external

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sudo chown yourname:yourname  /media/external

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sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /media/external

To copy your home:

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cd /media/external

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cp -a /home/yourname .

Good luck

Well, maybe also you could say him/her to unmount his/her drive at the end and how make this... Because if not, he/she can have a problem...

[gdarroch]

Thanks everyone. Yes I'd like to unmount the drive afterwards and so I haven't tried the solution posted yet because I don't want to risk losing everything - about the worst possible outcome.

[gdarroch]

Okay, I'm going to attach a drive, mount it, and leave it mounted until I work out how to do that. I just want to check that's okay.

[gdarroch]

What's the unmount code?

[WharfRat]

What's the unmount code?

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cd ~

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sudo umount /media/external

[gdarroch]

LM has remapped my keyboard and I can't find the | symbol. Anyone know how to access it?

[Habitual]

LM has remapped my keyboard and I can't find the | symbol. Anyone know how to access it?

Next to the 1 key using Shift,
or....(don't you just love Linux?)...

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cd $home

...

sorry, that's for the ~ symbol.
Pipe symbol is Shift+back slash key "\"

[gdarroch]

No, it isn't. That's where it should be. I have no idea how to find it. Is there some kind of way of producing this?

##Beginning to wonder if I should just give up, find a linux professional to remove my files (if indeed they're still there) and say goodbye to this os.

##Linux Mint feels like an epic fantasy quest, where each achievement sends me off on another mission.

##I'm not technically illiterate. I use R for statistical programming. But I don't know enough about this to make it useful to me. And that's as it should be - you don't need to know how a car works to use one, nor do you generally want to. Time spent reading the manual is time not useful in my life for the things useful to me.

[gdarroch]

Can someone help me find the pipe key, so I can get my files off my pc, so I can apply for an important position which closes Wednesday?

[nisha]

I wud suggest to make a live usb of your choice of linux, boot from it and access the linux partition and copy your data if you can do that

Nisha

[gdarroch]

How do I do that? I'm not stupid, but I need a lot of hand-holding.

[nisha]

How do I do that? I'm not stupid, but I need a lot of hand-holding.

Download linux iso and use the unetbootin or universal usb installer to create bootable usb linux. Boot from the usb and u will have access to all your partition linux and or windows to copy back your data.

Here is a link which might help you understand how to create bootable usb or cd.

[url]http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=52265[/url]

Link for Universal USB Installer works only on widows environment to create bootable linux usb

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http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

Link for unetbooting, have version for windows, mac as well linux environment to create bootable linux usb

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http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

[linuxviolin]

LM has remapped my keyboard and I can't find the | symbol. Anyone know how to access it?

In my case, with my French Azerty keyboard it's: AltGr + 6 (above the letters, not the numeric keypad) ===> | | |