How to recover corrupted system files?

[justgoodin]

Hi,
before i proceed,I'll like to say that I'm a complete newbie, but enjoying my time with Ubuntu.

Recently, due to hard disk failure, some of the System files got corrupted, I have no idea to which files, but booting Ubuntu from the latest kernel is not working, instead I have to select the previous version from the grub screen.

How to recover these files?
Is there a way by which Ubuntu automatically scans and repairs the system files.

[regneva]

Since you are saying that previous kernel is booting, I guess most system files, as it were, are fine. Look at the name of the kernel. Then open synaptic using


gksudo synaptic


In synaptic, search for your kernel with full name. If it says it's installed, right click on it and mark for re-installation, otherwise mark for installation. After it completes, reboot. This should let you boot with the latest kernel again.

[justgoodin]

thanx, i already did that. and its working fine now.

But STILL I was wondering if there was a way to reinstall system files without having to make a clean install?