Dual Boot Computer: HDD Filesystem Turned RAW - Freeze/Manual Reboot

Dual Boot Computer: HDD Filesystem Turned RAW - Freeze and Manual Reboot

In this article, we will discuss an issue that can occur when using a dual boot computer with both Ubuntu and Windows 10 installed on the same hard drive. Specifically, we will cover what to do when the filesystem on the hard drive becomes RAW, causing the system to freeze and requiring a manual reboot.

Understanding the Problem

When using a dual boot computer, it is possible for the filesystem on the hard drive to become damaged or corrupted. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as unexpected power loss, viruses, or hardware failures. When this happens, the filesystem may be marked as RAW, which means that it is no longer recognized by the operating system as a valid filesystem.

When the filesystem is marked as RAW, the operating system will not be able to read or write data to the hard drive, which can cause the system to freeze. In some cases, it may be possible to fix the problem by using a tool such as the chkdsk command in Windows or the fsck command in Ubuntu. However, in other cases, the damage to the filesystem may be too severe, and it may be necessary to reformat the hard drive and restore the data from a backup.

Preventing the Problem

There are several steps that you can take to prevent the filesystem on your hard drive from becoming damaged or corrupted:

• Always use a surge protector or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect your computer from unexpected power loss.
• Keep your operating system and all software up to date with the latest security patches and updates.
• Use a reliable and reputable antivirus program to protect your computer from viruses and malware.
• Regularly back up your data to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

Fixing the Problem

If the filesystem on your hard drive has become damaged or corrupted and is marked as RAW, you can try using the chkdsk or fsck command to fix the problem. To use the chkdsk command in Windows, follow these steps:

1. Boot your computer using a Windows installation disc or USB drive.
2. Select the Repair your computer option.
3. Select the Command Prompt option.
4. Type the following command and press Enter: chkdsk /f /r
5. Wait for the command to complete. This may take several hours, depending on the size of the hard drive.

To use the fsck command in Ubuntu, follow these steps:

1. Boot your computer using a Ubuntu installation disc or USB drive.
2. Select the Try Ubuntu option.
3. Open a terminal window.
4. Type the following command and press Enter: sudo fdisk -l
5. Find the device name of the hard drive (e.g. /dev/sda1).
6. Type the following command and press Enter: sudo fsck /dev/sda1
7. Wait for the command to complete. This may take several hours, depending on the size of the hard drive.

In this article, we have discussed the issue of a dual boot computer with a hard drive that has a RAW filesystem, causing the system to freeze and requiring a manual reboot. We have covered the causes of the problem, how to prevent it, and how to fix it. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your dual boot computer up and running again.

• The filesystem on a hard drive can become damaged or corrupted, causing it to be marked as RAW and the system to freeze.
• To prevent this problem, use a surge protector or UPS, keep software up to date, use antivirus software, and regularly back up data.
• To fix the problem, use the chkdsk or fsck command to repair the filesystem.

References

• How to use the chkdsk command in Windows 10