Linux in a Nutshell, 6th Edition

Name

e2fsck

Synopsis

e2fsck [options] device
fsck.ext2 [options] device

System administration command. Checks and repairs a disk, as does fsck, but specifically designed for ext2 (Linux Second Extended) and ext3 (Third Extended, a journaling version of ext2) filesystems. fsck actually uses this command when checking ext2 and ext3 filesystems. Most often used after a sudden shutdown, such as from a power outage, or when damage to the disk is suspected.

Options

-b superblock

Use superblock instead of the default superblock.

-B size

Expect to find the superblock at size; if it’s not there, exit.

-c

Find bad blocks using the badblocks command. Specify this option twice to perform the scan with a nondestructive read-write test.

-C filedescriptor

Write completion information to the specified filedescriptor. If 0, print a completion bar.

-d

Debugging mode.

-D

Optimize directories by reindexing, sorting, and compressing them where possible.

-f

Force checking, even if kernel has already marked the filesystem as valid. e2fsck will normally exit without checking if the system appears to be clean.

-F

Flush buffer caches before checking.

-j file

Use the specified external journal file.

-k

Preserve all previously marked bad blocks when using the -c option.

-l file

Consult file for a list of bad blocks, in addition to checking for others.

-L file

Consult file for list of bad blocks instead of checking filesystem for them.

-n

Ensure that no changes are made to the filesystem. When queried, answer “no.”

-p

“Preen.” Repair all ...