Monday, June 8, 2009

LILO Errors and Descriptor Table Corruption

LILO or LInux LOader is the standard boot loader used for Linux systems. Irrespective of the file system type, it can be placed in boot sector of partition or MBR. When you start the system and LILO loads, it performs a series of steps and displays the word 'LILO'. With each letter you see on the screen, it implies that it has successfully completed a task. But if LILO fails at some point, you find that the complete word 'LILO' is not displayed and hence you can't boot Linux and access your data. To restore the lost data, you need to use a recent data backup. However, if data backup is not available, invalid or not up-to-date, Linux Data Recovery solutions can be used to extract the lost or inaccessible data. 
  
Consider a scenario, you start the Linux system and the boot process halts with three letters 'LIL' on the screen. After the occurrence of this issue, you can't boot the Linux system. 
  
Cause 
  
The above issue occurs if descriptor table is corrupted or damaged. 
  
The space on a Linux based hard disk is divided into blocks, which are further organized into block groups. Each of these block groups is described by a group block descriptor. Descriptor table is the index table of these group block descriptors. 
  
Solution 
  
To solve this issue, you need to carry out these methods: 
  
You should first verify that disk parameters in BIOS (Basic Input Output System) are correct. 
  
Try reformatting the partition and reinstalling LILO. You need to restore the lost data using an updated backup. But if you face some issues with the backup, you can use Linux Recovery applications. 
  
If the problem persists, you should run fsck to check and correct any corruption issues. 
  
Reformat the hard drive if fsck fails to fix file system problems and restore data from backup. 
  
Linux Data Recovery software are robust applications that recover and restore lost data safely. Such software use powerful scanning algorithms to locate missing information. In addition, they provide interactive interface, automated recovery procedures and to-the-point documentation. 
  
Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery is the premier Linux Recovery tool. The software comes with advanced features like RAW File Recovery, File Filter, File Mask, Create Image and more. It supports Ext2, Ext3 and ReiserFS file systems. It is compatible with almost all Linux distributions like Gentoo, Turbo Linux, SlackWare, SUSE etc.

Robin Watson a student of Mass Communication doing research on file recovery software. He is also a freelancer for partition recovery.

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