LPIC-2 Practice Question: Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage
A filesystem is reported as 'read-only' after an unexpected power failure. Which command should be used to attempt repair without data loss?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume any filesystem issue after a power failure requires automatic repair (`-y` or `-p`), but the correct first step is a read-only check (`-n`) to avoid data loss from premature or unnecessary writes.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
fsck -n /dev/sda1
After an unexpected power failure, the filesystem may have been marked as needing a clean replay of its journal, but it is not necessarily corrupted. Running `fsck -n` performs a read-only check of the filesystem without making any changes, allowing you to assess the extent of damage or confirm that the journal replay is all that is needed. This avoids the risk of `fsck` making incorrect automatic repairs that could cause data loss, which is critical when the root cause is an unclean shutdown rather than structural corruption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
mount -o remount,rw /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
May succeed only if filesystem is already clean.
- ✗
fsck -y /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
Automatically answers yes to repairs, potentially causing data loss.
- ✓
fsck -n /dev/sda1
Why this is correct
Read-only check, no repairs, safe to assess damage.
- ✗
e2fsck -p /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
Attempts automatic repair, which can cause data loss.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-2 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-2 exam.