Linux Mint - can't access terminal

[jbg3]

I'm new to Linux and seem to have lost my terminal since running some updates.

Clicking on the terminal app and using ctrl-alt-T don't get any response.

These are the updates I've run:

Firefox is set to reopen tabs and windows and this, too, is no longer working correctly - not sure if it's related or traces to the same problem. I haven't installed any other programs or interfered with the OS apart from the updates.

Unfortunately I don't have a system image I could restore.

If anyone can spot the issue and/or suggest a solution, I'd be most grateful!

 

[Brickwizard]

Did you get any messages after running the updates?
on mint you should have the terminal in the bottom left of the bar [unless you deleted it] it will also be in the menue [again unless you deleted it]
so.. re-start the system if you are still having problems come back with the error reports

 

[kc1di]

Can you get to a terminal from the Menu?

 

[theLegionWithin]

install a different terminal app using the Software Manager - there's usually more than a few for basically every distro (I use one named "Black Box")

 

[piorunz]

I'm new to Linux and seem to have lost my terminal since running some updates.

Clicking on the terminal app and using ctrl-alt-T don't get any response.

These are the updates I've run:
View attachment 32260
Firefox is set to reopen tabs and windows and this, too, is no longer working correctly - not sure if it's related or traces to the same problem. I haven't installed any other programs or interfered with the OS apart from the updates.

Unfortunately I don't have a system image I could restore.

If anyone can spot the issue and/or suggest a solution, I'd be most grateful!

show result of:

dpkg -l | grep terminal

Firefox issue is unrelated. If it's stuck not working as you expect it to, then create a new firefox profile by launching firefox with parameter:

firefox -P

You can always go back to old profile, nothing gets deleted by testing it in a new profile for a bit.

 

[Condobloke]

G'day @jbg3, Welcome to Linux.org

Please confirm which Linux version you are running. Linux Mint Cinnamon 22.3 ? ...?

Have you been able to reboot?

I run Mint 22.3 as well. The updates are familiar, although mine did not update 'yelp'....

Keep talking to us. The devil will be in the detail, somewhere.

As soon as we get this little problem sorted, we can introduce you to an app named Timeshift. More about that later.

 

[jbg3]

Thank you for your responses everyone!

I didn't see any messages after installing the updates and there were no error messages (do I have to look them up myself? When I say I'm new, I mean new new... Basically just interacting with the UI armed with basic logic and online tutorials.)

I didn't have any trouble rebooting; I only noticed something was wrong when I was trying to install another app and couldn't open a terminal window.

Installing Black Box has now solved the problem, though I did get the following error messages:

Using ctrl - alt - T still doesn't work though.

I installed another app and got some more error messages, though the app itself is working fine. I'm assuming those are unrelated to the terminal issues.

I'm happy for now; any further advice? Am I accumulating dysfunction beneath the surface if I keep using my system like this?

 

[jbg3]

So I'll answer my own question: yes.

I did two hours of work this morning with no problems, then apropos of nothing, the top right part of my keyboard went wild. My keyboard is on the French layout so first two lines should read:
AZERTYUIOP
QSDFGHJKLM

but instead I got:

AZERTY567
QSDFGH123 and some special characters.

This bizarre behavior would be amusing if I didn't need the computer for work where I have to meet deadlines.

Rebooted and now it's normal again. But for how long?!

 

[piorunz]

So I'll answer my own question: yes.

I did two hours of work this morning with no problems, then apropos of nothing, the top right part of my keyboard went wild. My keyboard is on the French layout so first two lines should read:
AZERTYUIOP
QSDFGHJKLM

but instead I got:

AZERTY567
QSDFGH123 and some special characters.

This bizarre behavior would be amusing if I didn't need the computer for work where I have to meet deadlines.

Rebooted and now it's normal again. But for how long?!

It's a laptop, right? And you pressed Num lock. Check keyboard symbols, they have dual function, switching to numerical mode when you press Num lock.

 

[jbg3]

You're right, I found it on F12. Didn't know this existed, glad this one is simple at least...

 

[kc1di]

At this point I would install a different terminal. and see if it works for you.
There are several in the software manager. Before you install try reinstalling "gnome-terminal" that's the native terminal for Mint.
Good luck.
After things get sorted you may want to take a look at this page and see if it would help you learn Linux.
Linux Journey

 

[jbg3]

Thanks a lot for posting that link. I've been looking for basic tutorials but haven't had time yet to really dive in and find a high-quality one.

Right now I'm only using Linux on a replacement computer because my old one was stolen, but I'd really like to stick with this because I'm tired of Apple and its infantile, colorful things flying across the screen.

What do you think would be the approximate time investment to learn Linux well enough as a user (not a developer) to deal with standard problems myself?

 

[CaffeineAddict]

What do you think would be the approximate time investment to learn Linux well enough as a user (not a developer) to deal with standard problems myself?

about 6 months, but it depends how much effort daily you sink into it.
with 3-4 hours a day after 6 months you should be able to deal with issues without help.

it also depends on kind of practice.
it depends on a lot of factors about you and how you approach stuff, what you read etc.

 

[Condobloke]

As soon as we get this little problem sorted, we can introduce you to an app named Timeshift.

I think this would be a good time.

I just need you to confirm which OS you are running..... Linux Mint 22.3 Cinnamon ?

You will need an external drive

Timeshift is already in the menu.....it is already installed.

Open Timeshift, ...click on Settings....rsync is the snapshot type....Set the Location for your snapshots to be that external drive. Schedule:..keep at least 2 daily and 1 weekly. Timeshift will delete snapshots as necessary to maintain those numbers.

Users:If you dont tick/mark any of the little circles you get basic.....Tick/mark Include Only hidden Files....and the end one...Include all Files gives you your home folder etc etc

Be aware, Timeshift ONLY restores system files....not pics or music etc etc....STRICTLY system files...no games etc

It is your decision how many snapshots, daily, weekly, monthly etc etc you keep.

It will not have been one of the updates making the Terminal disappear.
Someone : (@kc1di) suggested reinstalling gnome terminal....do that....you have nothing to lose
Click on menu, type in Software manager....click to open it
In its search bar (top left) type in gnome terminal ....click to open.
In top right hand corner, click on Remove. Follow the prompts.
Then Reinstall it.....again just follow the prompts

The icon (usually black) should be in the panel (task bar) A single click should open it.

Go to menu again and type in terminal.....gnome terminal should show in the menu....right click on it and select add to panel. (this is just in case it is missing from the panel (task bar)

Tell me the result of doing that.

(Timeshift: I keep one monthly, one weekly, 2 daily and one boot.
I dont have a lot of apps installed and that takes up around 50GB on the external.
This is just to give you a rough idea of how much space you may need on an external
btw....the external needs to be formatted as ext4....or the partition on the external if it is really big)


if & when you need to use Timeshift to restore, I will type out a short blurb covering that