How can I check /dev/xvda1?

Solution 1:

For our ec2 ubuntu instance, the above answers did not work completely.

On Ubuntu, by default, the check is not enabled in the rcS file. So

  1. Edit rcS file sudo vi /etc/default/rcS

below the line

#FSCKFIX=no

Add

FSCKFIX=yes
  1. Edit fstab file. sudo vi /etc/fstab

Look for the the record for / and if the last digit is '0' change it to '1'. The last field is fsckorder and is used by fsck to decide the order of checking disks. If the value is '0' that disk is skipped.

For e.g.,

LABEL=cloudimg-rootfs   /        ext4   defaults,discard        0 0

to

LABEL=cloudimg-rootfs   /        ext4   defaults,discard        0 1 
  1. Create /forcefsck file

    sudo touch /forcefsck

Reboot from ec2 console.

Revert the fsckorder value from '1' to '0' in /etc/fstab Delete the line FSCKFIX=yes to get back rcS file to original state.

Hope it helps.

Solution 2:

Most Linuxes these days should perform a forced fsck at boot time when the file /forcefsck is present on the system. If you are at liberty to reboot the VM, run

touch /forcefsck

Then reboot at your convenience


Solution 3:

Since you cannot boot into live disc, this is may sounds a bit weird, but i guess it'll do the job)

high level:

  • boot into new (another) instance.
  • attach storage from old instance to new (current).
  • run fsck.
  • detach storage from new (current) and reattach it to old instance.