When a Linux server crashes and refuses to boot, it can feel like a nightmare—especially if critical data is involved. But before you hit the panic button, know this: data recovery is still possible in most cases. With the right tools and approach, you can safely recover files by booting into a live Linux environment and manually accessing your server’s disks.

At ServerAdminz, we’ve handled countless recovery operations. Here’s a simple and effective recovery guide you can follow when faced with a non-booting Linux server.

Step 1: Boot into a Live Linux OS

You’ll need a bootable Linux Live ISO. Ubuntu or Debian Live ISOs are commonly used and easily accessible.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Download and create a bootable USB with a Linux ISO (use tools like Rufus or balenaEtcher).

  2. Boot the affected server from the USB drive.

  3. Select the option: Try Ubuntu without installing (or similar depending on your distro).

  4. Once booted into the live environment, open a Terminal.

Step 2: Identify the Disk Partitions

Now, locate the partition where your system and data are stored.

lsblk

This command will list all the connected disks and partitions. You’re looking for something like /dev/sda1, /dev/sdb2, etc.
 Most root partitions are the largest and typically mounted as /.

Step 3: Mount the Disk

Create a directory to mount the partition:

mkdir /mnt/recovery

Mount your Linux partition (adjust based on your system):

mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/recovery

Facing errors? Try these:

For XFS file systems:
mount -t xfs /dev/sda2 /mnt/recovery

For LVM volumes:
vgscan

vgchange -ay

lvdisplay

mount /dev/mapper/vgname-lvname /mnt/recovery

Make sure the mount is successful by running:

ls /mnt/recovery

You should see familiar directories like /home, /etc, /var, etc.

Step 4: Copy Your Data

Now, it’s time to back up the data to a USB drive or another attached disk.

1.Plug in a USB drive or mount a secondary storage device (another lsblk can help identify it).

2. Create a mount point and mount the backup device:
mkdir /mnt/backupdisk

mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/backupdisk

3. Copy data using cp:
cp -rv /mnt/recovery/home/username /mnt/backupdisk/

 Or use the more reliable rsync:
rsync -avh /mnt/recovery/ /mnt/backupdisk/

 Step 5: Unmount the Drives (Optional but Recommended)

Once the transfer is complete, cleanly unmount the disk:

umount /mnt/recovery

Then shut down the system or proceed with further recovery or reinstallation.

You’re Done!

With this method, you’ve successfully retrieved data from a crashed Linux server — no advanced recovery tools or costly services required.

Pro Tips from ServerAdminz

  • If you’re unsure of the file system, run file -s /dev/sdX to detect it.

  • Always check disk health using smartctl or gsmartcontrol.

  • For recurring crashes, investigate logs and hardware issues after recovery.

At ServerAdminz, we specialize in Linux server management, disaster recovery, and critical support. If you’re facing persistent issues or complex RAID setups, our 24×7 expert team can assist you in real-time.

Contact ServerAdminz Support for enterprise-grade Linux recovery solutions.

Planning to reinstall or rebuild the server environment after recovery? If you’re setting up your development tools again, don’t miss our step-by-step guide on How to Install Apache Maven on Windows and Linux — a must-read for developers and sysadmins alike.