Improper Ubuntu setup / partition of system disk is causing issues

[nbabanky]

That’s some great information that I did not know. Thanks man!!

[dpan622]

Solution to this issue involves solving the underlying issues creating the problem: the Ubuntu install under which problems were occurring was littered with it’s own issues: (4) separate partitions for / (root), /boot/efi, /home, and SWAP (a deprecated older set of ideas) which caused problems as it’s partitions were incorrectly sized and resulted in available disk space issues, rather than a simpler and more effective partition scheme as /boot/efi and / (root) which managed all the rest within the filesystem (as I comprehend it)

This solution is a summary and synopsis of many good suggestions by very helpful and patient people… summarized for the next user looking for useful answers and not wanting to read 60+ posts to find and piece them together…

SOLUTION: The most elegant and simple fix was a reinstall of the Ubuntu/Linux OS allowing the install routine to reformat and setup the system disk in the most useful format; removing four (4) incorrectly setup partitions and replacing them with a /boot/efi and / (root) to run all other system resources set up by the reinstall routine.

PREPARATION: if your user data happens to be stored in /home/[user], a backup of user data prior to reinstall of the Ubuntu/Linux OS is necessary as that directory is going to be overwritten at reinstall. My data was on separate drives which were not going to be part of the reinstall, but I backed them up anyway.

In addition, good recommendations offered by those assisting included:

• prep a install disk for Ubuntu/Linux
  • I included a most recent BIOS for my motherboard (see BIOS issue below)
• backup any personal data managed by the file system (usu: /home/[user])
• backup your browser bookmarks and user passwords for later upload
• keep a list of your apps with directions for reinstall
  • especially proprietary apps not in the library with [install] button
• consider a new battery for your CMOS; only if your run into the BOOT issue below

An UNEXPECTED TWIST: I found that after reinstall of the Ubuntu/Linux OS that my data drives, my hardware as HDD and SSD were once again listed and mounted among the /media area… a problem I ran into and had fixed with the previous install. Granted, I knew how to fix it now, but still my drives were not recognized nor mounted at /mnt directory; and I have no idea why. That solution is described [HERE] in another Ubuntu Discourse topic

CLEAN UP: with drives mounted at differing areas, and/or by different names, with such references symlinks I created which lead to favorite directories and documents, need be recreated to point to updated mount points, etc. All of my favorite apps will need be reinstalled, which if you take good notes in the process, will be easier if you ever need address such issue again.

Failure to boot, an UNUSUAL turn of events, but precisely where I ended up; and not nearly as horrifying as I first thought… recovery was actually pretty smooth, and proceeded as described at motherboard manufacturer’s site and user manual as follows (generally):

@dpan622

…a failure to boot or load the BIOS is where I am.

I found a failure to boot and load “BIOS Hard Reset” solution at Tom’s Hardware website; the problem sounding familiar. Having a better idea of what to look for, I went to my motherboard manufacturer’s website (ASUS), searched their FAQ and found general instructions which seemed to match, then downloaded the manual for the motherboard and found the specific instructions for resetting the CMOS for my particular motherboard.

While the CMOS reset, a clearing of the real time clock (CLRTC), is accomplished by reset button (not my motherboard), a jumper pin short circuit, and/or removal of the CMOS battery (2032 my sys), I thought i’d replace the battery while I’m at it.