Reinstalling Ubuntu: A Quick Guide Using the Terminal

Reinstalling Ubuntu from the terminal can be a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Whether you want to reinstall Ubuntu and keep your personal files or start fresh with a clean installation, this guide will walk you through the process.

Before we begin, it’s always a good idea to update your system to ensure you have the latest software versions. Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T and enter the following command:

Sudo apt-get update

This will update the package lists for upgrades and new installations.

Now, let’s proceed with reinstalling the terminal itself. Enter the following command in the terminal:

Sudo apt-get install gnome-terminal

This command will install the GNOME terminal, which is a popular choice for many Ubuntu users.

If you also need to reinstall the software center, you can do so by running the following command:

Sudo apt-get install software-center

The software center provides a user-friendly interface for installing, managing, and removing software packages on your Ubuntu system.

If you want to reinstall Ubuntu while keeping your personal files, you can choose the “Reinstall Ubuntu” option during the installation process. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Boot your computer using an Ubuntu installation media (such as a USB drive or DVD).
2. Select the language and click “Install Ubuntu”.
3. On the “Installation type” screen, choose the “Reinstall Ubuntu” option.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

This process will reinstall Ubuntu while preserving your personal files and settings. However, it’s always a good idea to backup your important data before proceeding with any system changes.

On the other hand, if you prefer a clean installation and want to format the hard drive, follow these steps:

1. Boot your computer using an Ubuntu installation media.
2. Select the language and click “Install Ubuntu”.
3. On the “Installation type” screen, choose the “Erase Ubuntu and reinstall” option.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Please note that formatting the hard drive will erase all data, so make sure to backup any important files before proceeding.

Once the installation is complete, you can reboot your system and start using your freshly installed Ubuntu system.

Reinstalling Ubuntu from the terminal can be done by updating the system, reinstalling the terminal and software center if needed, and then choosing the appropriate option during the installation process. Whether you want to keep your personal files or start fresh, following these steps will help you reinstall Ubuntu successfully.

How To Reinstall Ubuntu Software From Terminal?

To reinstall Ubuntu software from the terminal, you can follow these steps:

1. Update the package lists by running the command: sudo apt-get update
– This ensures that you have the latest version of the software available for installation.

2. Reinstall the terminal by running the command: sudo apt-get install gnome-terminal
– This command will install the missing terminal application on your system.

3. Install the software center by running the command: sudo apt-get install software-center
– This command will install the software center, which allows you to easily browse and install software packages.

By following these steps, you will be able to reinstall the terminal and the software center on your Ubuntu system using the terminal.

reinstall ubuntu from terminal

How Do I Reinstall An Existing Ubuntu?

To reinstall an existing Ubuntu operating system, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by booting your computer with the Ubuntu installation media, such as a USB drive or DVD.

2. Once the installation media is booted, you will be presented with the Ubuntu installation screen. Choose the language you prefer and click on the “Install Ubuntu” button.

3. Next, you will be prompted to select your keyboard layout. Choose the appropriate layout for your keyboard and click “Continue.”

4. On the Installation type screen, you will see the option to reinstall Ubuntu. This option allows you to keep your personal files and settings intact while reinstalling the operating system. Choose the “Reinstall Ubuntu” option.

5. If you want to completely wipe out the existing Ubuntu installation and start fresh, you can select the “Erase Ubuntu and reinstall” option. However, please note that this will delete all your personal files and settings, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

6. After selecting the desired installation option, you may be prompted to choose the installation location or partition. If you have multiple partitions on your hard drive, select the one where Ubuntu is currently installed.

7. Click on the “Install Now” button to begin the reinstallation process. You may be asked to confirm your decision before proceeding.

8. During the reinstallation, you will be prompted to set up your username, password, and other system settings. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

9. Once the installation is finished, you can reboot your computer and log in to your newly reinstalled Ubuntu system.

By following these steps, you can successfully reinstall Ubuntu while keeping your personal files or starting with a clean installation.

How To Reinstall Broken Ubuntu?

To reinstall a broken Ubuntu system, you can follow these steps:

1. Obtain an Ubuntu 20.04 live CD or USB drive.
– You can download the ISO file from the official Ubuntu website.
– Create a bootable USB drive using tools like Rufus or Etcher.

2. Insert the live CD or USB drive into your computer and restart it.

3. Boot from the live CD or USB drive.
– You may need to change the boot order in your computer’s BIOS settings to prioritize the CD or USB drive.

4. Once the live environment loads, choose the option to “Try Ubuntu” instead of installing it.

5. Open the Terminal application.
– You can search for it in the applications menu or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T.

6. Identify the broken Ubuntu installation’s disk partition.
– Use the command `lsblk` to list all the available disks and their partitions.
– Look for the disk partition where your broken Ubuntu installation is located. It is typically labeled as “/dev/sdXN” (e.g., “/dev/sda1”).

7. Mount the broken Ubuntu partition.
– Use the command `sudo mount /dev/sdXN /mnt` to mount the partition to the “/mnt” directory.
– Replace “/dev/sdXN” with the actual partition identifier you found in the previous step.

8. Mount the necessary system directories.
– Use the following commands to mount the required directories:
– `sudo mount –bind /dev /mnt/dev`
– `sudo mount –bind /proc /mnt/proc`
– `sudo mount –bind /sys /mnt/sys`

9. Change the root directory to the broken Ubuntu installation.
– Use the command `sudo chroot /mnt` to change the root directory.

10. Perform a fresh installation of Ubuntu 20.04.
– Use the command `sudo apt install –reinstall ubuntu-desktop` to reinstall the Ubuntu desktop environment.

11. Finish the installation process.
– Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
– Set up your user account, language preferences, and other system settings.

12. Reboot your computer.
– Make sure to remove the live CD or USB drive before rebooting.

13. After rebooting, log in to your newly installed Ubuntu 20.04 system.
– Your system should now be repaired and functioning properly.

Remember to back up any important files before reinstalling Ubuntu, as the process may result in data loss.

Conclusion

Reinstalling Ubuntu from the terminal is a straightforward process that can be done using the apt-get command. By running “sudo apt-get update”, you ensure that you have the latest version of Ubuntu available for installation. Then, by running “sudo apt-get install gnome-terminal”, you can reinstall the missing terminal. Additionally, you can install the software center by executing “sudo apt-get install software-center”.

If you prefer a fresh installation of Ubuntu while keeping your personal files, you can choose the “Reinstall Ubuntu” option during the installation process. This will reinstall Ubuntu without formatting your hard drive and erase any existing Ubuntu installation.

On the other hand, if you want to start with a completely clean slate and install a brand-new Ubuntu instance, you can select the “Erase Ubuntu and reinstall” option. This will format your hard drive and install a fresh copy of Ubuntu.

Another option would be to use a live CD of Ubuntu 20.04 to perform a fresh installation. After finishing the installation, you can boot back into the live CD, mount both your thumb drive and the newly installed Ubuntu disk, and copy any necessary files or configurations.

Regardless of the method you choose, reinstalling Ubuntu is a relatively simple process that allows you to have a clean and functional operating system.

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Sanjeev Singh

Sanjeev is the tech editor at DeviceMAG. He has a keen interest in all things technology, and loves to write about the latest developments in the industry. He has a passion for quality-focused journalism and believes in using technology to make people's lives better. He has worked in the tech industry for over 15 years, and has written for some of the biggest tech blogs in the world. Sanjeev is also an avid photographer and loves spending time with his family.

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