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I'm pretty new to Linux and Ubuntu. I have installed a bootable (persistent) Xubuntu on a USB stick, and it worked - I booted from it and used Xubuntu happily.

But now it is ruined - I'm not sure why, but the computer stopped responding a few times so I manually turned it off and disconnected the USB stick, and ever since the Xubuntu won't load (black screen, keyboard/mouse won't respond).

I would like to do 2 things right now:

  1. Copy some files (a folder) I've created, to my Windows computer (in order to edit those files in Windows).
  2. Back up my settings (configuration and customization) in order to later embed them in a different Xubuntu installation. (Especially the panels)

Is it possible to do those things with Windows (7)?

Update:

ext2read log file:

No of disks 0
No of disks 0
ysicalDrive0
index 0 ID 27 size 27262976 
index 1 ID 7 size 204800 
index 2 ID 7 size 460924928 
Scanning \\.\PhysicalDrive1
index 0 ID C size 29259776 
index 1 ID 5 size 1044482 
index 4 ID 82 size 1044480 
No of disks 2
Scanning \\.\PhysicalDrive0
index 0 ID 27 size 27262976 
index 1 ID 7 size 204800 
index 2 ID 7 size 460924928 
Scanning \\.\PhysicalDrive1
index 0 ID C size 29259776 
index 1 ID 5 size 1044482 
index 4 ID 82 size 1044480
Reuven Karasik
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3 Answers3

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The default installation of Ubuntu uses the ext4 filesystem, which Windows can't read without installing third party drivers (see also the other answer of The Thunder Chimp). Personally I think you are much better off making a second liveUSB with Xubuntu to recover your files and then do the reinstall.

Minos
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A number of Windows programs will allow you to access Linux files. I've never tried getting some files off a live USB, but if the data isn't corrupted it should work. A simple program is Ext2Explore, which you don't even have to install. I would go for that. More sophisticated programs can embed themselves in Windows explorer and allow write access. But in my experience they are longer to get working.

Pertinax
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  • 3
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I would also suggest you to boot from another Linux DVD or USB stick (e.g. the one you used for installing Ubuntu). If your partitions on your live stick aren't damaged, it should be no problem rescuing the files.

Maybe you have to log into your second rescue system as root (better: run file explorer as root, e.g. in Ubuntu: gksu nautilus), because I think otherwise you don't have full access on all of the files (second system respects file rights of the first). I'm not sure, but I experienced this on a dual boot Ubuntu/Kali machine. But you have to mount the partitions you want to explore before that under the normal account. It must be possible as root too, but this way its easier.

Good Luck!

Byte Commander
  • 110,243