On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 20:46:16 +0000, Thomas Adam wrote (<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>):
> On Wed, Nov 23, 2005 at 07:24:52AM +1100, Felix Karpfen wrote: >> The root directory switched to "read-only" mode and the computer could >> not be shut down cleanly. In fact it could only be shut down by >> switching off the power. > > Check your logs -- these symptoms, as I say, sound like something on a > much larger scale than just a software glitch in this instance. Firstly, my thanks for both responses. And, I fear, the (consensus) diagnosis is probably spot-on. I recently purchased a new computer and installed Linux myself (The vendor offered to install Windows - which I declined). Right at the start of the install Linux (Debian) asked if I wanted to check the HD for faulty Sectors. To which I foolishly said "No". It appears that I have maligned both fvwm2 and Gnome. And, if the problem is greater than faulty Sectors and cannot be fixed by fsck, then I had better invest in a second HD. The advice in the replies has helped to avoid total disaster. I am fairly conscientious about making backups. But I usually leave them on a separate partition of the HD; once every 3 months or so, I burn the backups onto a CD. It looks as though I need to do that much more frequently - while awaiting the arrival of the next crash. Felix Karpfen -- Felix Karpfen
