Newbie: Mint Crashed While Installing alongside Win XP on D:\. Now Can't Access D in Windows

[atanere]

Hey all, I decided to just to do a clean install of Mint MATE 64 bit, to the pen drive. Too many goofy things going on. I took a C++ course, circa 1996, (didn't really enjoy it, too tedious) so I have a rudimentary understanding of how code works, and I know that corrupt code can lead to unseen ramifications that show up in areas they shouldn't. So with all the corrupt caches and stuff, I'm starting over with a fresh install. Which I have just completed, and I'm running from MATE now.

So far, I've adjusted date and time, then set up the Firewall, then updated the Package Manager, then installed video and sound codecs. I left the generic video driver alone. It's working fine, and as we know the nVidia drivers cause boot issues with my legacy system. Video looks great, and I can watch hockey games, so it's all good in that regard.

I then opened Update Manager and got an error about not being able to update the cache because I'm not connected to the Internet. But when I clicked ok, it updated the cache and listed a gaggle of level 2 updates, one level 3 update, and 2 level 4 updates; (the kernel and libc). I opened preferences and set them to "just keep my system safe" then refreshed the cache. All of the level 2 updates were pre-selected, so I "installed updates" then rebooted. Then installed the level 3 update, and rebooted. Then the kernel update, and rebooted. Then the libc update then rebooted, and other than a list of errors flashing by on boot-up, it's running ok as far as I can tell.

Here's a screen shot of Driver Manager. It appears that it isn't seeing my processor, and when I updated the kernel, I kept seeing errors about not being able to find a device, and I'm wondering if this is related.

View attachment 2943



I kept getting the following errors every time it completed installing updates. It appears that I don't have permissions set up properly for some updates. Maybe I should note that I was never prompted to make a password during the install, if that has any bearing on the subject.


View attachment 2944
Thanks everyone again for your help. I could never do this without you, and another newbie mentioned that he felt like he needed to pay you for all the free help. I am very grateful myself, so thank you all again, and especially for your patience. I'm not always the sharpest knife in the drawer.

I think, at this point, with this Distro seemingly running without any obvious hiccups, other than the errors I've mentioned, if you pros think this Distro is running well enough to copy to a HD and work from it without too much playing around, (email, News, movies, hockey games; And of course, setting up Timeshift to backup regularly as @Condobloke suggested), then I would like to:

1. Try and get the 1.5 TB WD drive working and then install MATE there, on perhaps one of 3 partitions. (I'm not concerned about preserving or restoring any data)

2. Try and get the USB Seagate 2TB working for Timeshift backups and storage, with 2 partitions. (not concerned about preserving or restoring data)

3. Set up the new 1.0 TB WD with perhaps 3 partitions, (300, 300, 300 GB) as a test bed for playing with the different Distros.

Does that sound workable?

Sorry to be so scarce... I'm afraid it will continue for a bit too (this is the bad part of my work cycle... working 6 out of 7 days). But I wanted to pop in and offer a comment on this "permissions" thing.... I think (hope) I see the trouble here.

When you say "install" to the pen drive, I think you are using the Universal USB Installer to put your Mint .iso file on to the USB pen drive. I've been at work all night, and the lingo seems off, but I can't think of the proper word/term... "creating" a Live Linux distro on USB, maybe. "Installing" takes on a slightly different meaning, usually meaning to install to a hard disk. "Installing" to a pen drive is possible too, but I don't think that's what you're doing because your screen shot shows the user as "mint" (the home folder = mint's Home). This distinction explains why you were not asked for a password... because you were also not asked to create a user name! When you run Mint in "live mode" like this, I think you have full root (administrator) permissions.... so you can run Gparted, or install software, without giving a password, where you normally would have to provide a password. Clear as mud? (Thin mud, I hope.)

So, I also believe you have enabled "persistence" on this "live Linux" USB pen drive. Yes? Persistence is also what allows you to install software, and it saves it. It remembers your home network and WiFi password, if you used wireless. But... there are limitations to what persistence will let you do, and I think that is where you think there is a problem (and probably is not really a problem at all). Let me now quote a paragraph from this link:

"There are a few limitations. You can’t modify system files, like the kernel. You can’t perform major system upgrades. You also can’t install hardware drivers. However, you can install most applications. You can even update most installed applications, so you can be sure your persistent USB drive has the latest version of the web browser you prefer."

So, in my old, tired mind... I'm thinking this may have been part of the trouble for awhile now, though I don't think we recognized it before. Trying to install the nVidia drivers made everything wonky. Trying to update the kernel also. This may have made the whole "live USB" somewhat unstable as well, and it might not be trustworthy to use for a real installation to your WD or other hard disk. If you agree with this assessment, I'd say burn your USB pen drive again fresh with the .iso file (persistence is okay, but not necessary if only using to install to a hard drive)... and use the pen drive "as is".

Now, if I can stay awake a bit longer, I'll re-read some or all of what I've missed and see if I can add anything else at this point. (Don't hold your breath.) But you're getting there... I'd say making great progress! And you're in good hands with Wiz and Condo also!

Cheers

 

[Gomad]

Sorry to be so scarce... I'm afraid it will continue for a bit too (this is the bad part of my work cycle... working 6 out of 7 days). But I wanted to pop in and offer a comment on this "permissions" thing.... I think (hope) I see the trouble here.

When you say "install" to the pen drive, I think you are using the Universal USB Installer to put your Mint .iso file on to the USB pen drive. I've been at work all night, and the lingo seems off, but I can't think of the proper word/term... "creating" a Live Linux distro on USB, maybe. "Installing" takes on a slightly different meaning, usually meaning to install to a hard disk. "Installing" to a pen drive is possible too, but I don't think that's what you're doing because your screen shot shows the user as "mint" (the home folder = mint's Home). This distinction explains why you were not asked for a password... because you were also not asked to create a user name! When you run Mint in "live mode" like this, I think you have full root (administrator) permissions.... so you can run Gparted, or install software, without giving a password, where you normally would have to provide a password. Clear as mud? (Thin mud, I hope.)

So, I also believe you have enabled "persistence" on this "live Linux" USB pen drive. Yes? Persistence is also what allows you to install software, and it saves it. It remembers your home network and WiFi password, if you used wireless. But... there are limitations to what persistence will let you do, and I think that is where you think there is a problem (and probably is not really a problem at all). Let me now quote a paragraph from this link:

"There are a few limitations. You can’t modify system files, like the kernel. You can’t perform major system upgrades. You also can’t install hardware drivers. However, you can install most applications. You can even update most installed applications, so you can be sure your persistent USB drive has the latest version of the web browser you prefer."

So, in my old, tired mind... I'm thinking this may have been part of the trouble for awhile now, though I don't think we recognized it before. Trying to install the nVidia drivers made everything wonky. Trying to update the kernel also. This may have made the whole "live USB" somewhat unstable as well, and it might not be trustworthy to use for a real installation to your WD or other hard disk. If you agree with this assessment, I'd say burn your USB pen drive again fresh (persistence is okay, but not necessary if only using to install to a hard drive)... and use the pen drive "as is".

Now, if I can stay awake a bit longer, I'll re-read some or all of what I've missed and see if I can add anything else at this point. (Don't hold your breath.) But you're getting there... I'd say making great progress! And you're in good hands with Wiz and Condo also!

Cheers

Hey sleepy Stan, thanks for checking in. You are spot on, I used a Universal USB installer to get Mint to run from the pen drive, (but not sure why "install" is not the proper word).

Yes, I'm running in "live mode" as "superuser" and I also set up a persistent file. Good detective work.

No, I was never prompted to create a user name or password, and had I known this was important, I would have told you. Sorry.

OK, so I'm going to use the Universal "installer" to format the pen drive and do whatever it does that will end up with Linux MATE running from the pen drive, and then leave it alone after that. No updates, nothing, unless told to do so by you or Wiz or CB.

Thanks again Stan, good job identifying the problem. I think everything you've said makes absolute sense. Now please get some rest. No rush.

El Stupido

 

[Gomad]

Ok, mates, I've "placed" the Mint 18.3 MATE 64 bit .iso on the pen drive, launched it and only setup preferences in the Firefox browser, which I'm using now. I haven't pushed any "other" buttons yet. Waiting patiently on the pad for "mission control" to issue telemetry and launch commands. Taking the dogs for a walk, and will check back in later...

 

[atanere]

Hey sleepy Stan, thanks for checking in. You are spot on, I used a Universal USB installer to get Mint to run from the pen drive, (but not sure why "install" is not the proper word).

Yes, I'm running in "live mode" as "superuser" and I also set up a persistent file. Good detective work.

No, I was never prompted to create a user name or password, and had I known this was important, I would have told you. Sorry.

OK, so I'm going to use the Universal "installer" to format the pen drive and do whatever it does that will end up with Linux MATE running from the pen drive, and then leave it alone after that. No updates, nothing, unless told to do so by you or Wiz or CB.

Thanks again Stan, good job identifying the problem. I think everything you've said makes absolute sense. Now please get some rest. No rush.

El Stupido

Hey Steve. The lingo is not a big deal, and I can see how you would use "install" in the same sense. Not a big deal that we've missed it until now either, but it does help to explain some of the issues. With this new knowledge, you could perhaps, if you want, install to the WD hard drive (MATE or Cinnamon) and then try the recommended nVidia driver again. Or not... but it may work properly from a hard drive install.

For the most part, there's no need to update the pen drive with anything. In your case, it is mostly just a transfer of the .iso to complete an installation to a hard drive, and you'll run updates after that. I'm actually not sure that if you updated the pen drive, that the updates would transfer to the hard drive when installed.... they may not, and then you'd be updating twice. I might have to check that out sometime to be sure.

But a very useful feature of using a USB with persistence is that it can be your full working Linux system, and you take it with you wherever you go. I like to carry one around for troubleshooting other people's computers too. Or to make sure that my surfing history and any other privacy concerns stay with me on the USB in my pocket, and are not left behind on someone else's computer (friends, library, my work, etc).

I'll kick back and see where Wizard wants to take you on the hard drive install from here. But you certainly can install Linux to your GoFlex also... it's kind of like a big pen drive (USB and can be bootable). You can truly "install" to a pen drive too.... but you need two of them, one to boot and the other to install into (or one DVD and one pen drive). There are probably pros and cons to any install choices though... things to consider in each case. If you set up a Timeshift storage area, you'll sure want to be careful not to damage it.

OK, in and out. I've had a short nap, and it's beer-thirty!

Cheers

 

[wizardfromoz]

I think reformatting the drive is a good idea Steve, if you are keen, it will tidy things up and expand your options.

Oops, just noticed there is a page 6, you blokes could talk 6 feet underwater with a mouth full of cement

I'll buy my 3rd coffee from the kitchen and be back soon.

Wiz

 

[Gomad]

Hey Steve. The lingo is not a big deal, and I can see how you would use "install" in the same sense. Not a big deal that we've missed it until now either, but it does help to explain some of the issues. With this new knowledge, you could perhaps, if you want, install to the WD hard drive (MATE or Cinnamon) and then try the recommended nVidia driver again. Or not... but it may work properly from a hard drive install.

For the most part, there's no need to update the pen drive with anything. In your case, it is mostly just a transfer of the .iso to complete an installation to a hard drive, and you'll run updates after that. I'm actually not sure that if you updated the pen drive, that the updates would transfer to the hard drive when installed.... they may not, and then you'd be updating twice. I might have to check that out sometime to be sure.

But a very useful feature of using a USB with persistence is that it can be your full working Linux system, and you take it with you wherever you go. I like to carry one around for troubleshooting other people's computers too. Or to make sure that my surfing history and any other privacy concerns stay with me on the USB in my pocket, and are not left behind on someone else's computer (friends, library, my work, etc).

I'll kick back and see where Wizard wants to take you on the hard drive install from here. But you certainly can install Linux to your GoFlex also... it's kind of like a big pen drive (USB and can be bootable). You can truly "install" to a pen drive too.... but you need two of them, one to boot and the other to install into (or one DVD and one pen drive). There are probably pros and cons to any install choices though... things to consider in each case. If you set up a Timeshift storage area, you'll sure want to be careful not to damage it.

OK, in and out. I've had a short nap, and it's beer-thirty!

Cheers

Thanks Stan. Beer thirty sounds great. I almost had one after walking the dogs, but I had a cup of tea instead. Now you're tempting me. You know what they say... great minds think alike. (and you probably know the other side of that too) LoL

I almost went ahead and tried to install to the WD from the pen drive, but I wasn't sure if I had to reformat the drive first, or if the install will do that for me. And since I want at least 3 partitions, I wasn't sure if I should do that first, considering that I might migrate all my drives to GPT, and I do plan on upgrading both motherboard and processor in this system in the near future, and perhaps purchasing an inexpensive built system as a secondary as you recommended. I'm sure I know how to add partitions after the install to the HDD and format them, as you already had me practice that on the WD, but I just want to be reassured that this will not open a can of worms. So I am hoping that Wizard fella will have time to "pop in" and comment on that GPT thought.

I suspect you're probably right about the video driver working once Linux is installed on the HDD, and all those "can't find device" errors will go away when upgrading the kernel, so as soon as you guys reassure me that what I just said is on target, I'll take a leap of faith and attempt the install to the WD.

PS Both the Samsung and the USB Seagate are unplugged so I don't break them. If the install goes well, I'll attack the Seagate next.

 

[wizardfromoz]

No, I was never prompted to create a user name or password

Hi, El (not so) Stupido, hi all.

Even a tired Stan is faster than an old Wizard, any day of the week. I saw those screenshots where at the top left-hand corner it had the icon to install, and I had it niggling around the back of my brain, but couldn't bring to the surface "What if he thinks this is all there is to Linux and hasn't clicked (sometimes double-click) "Install". Sometimes putting on the Persistence can obscure this. Without this, people can say "When I rebooted, none of my changes were saved" and we can straight away ask "Have you installed?"

If you wish to re-organise the WD, now is the time to do it, before install, and you can do this from the pen drive.

Let me know and I will draft up a plan of attack. We are using BIOS-MBR, yeah? and Linux Mint MATE, is it 18.3?

Cheers

Wiz

 

[Gomad]

Hi, El (not so) Stupido, hi all.

Even a tired Stan is faster than an old Wizard, any day of the week. I saw those screenshots where at the top left-hand corner it had the icon to install, and I had it niggling around the back of my brain, but couldn't bring to the surface "What if he thinks this is all there is to Linux and hasn't clicked (sometimes double-click) "Install". Sometimes putting on the Persistence can obscure this. Without this, people can say "When I rebooted, none of my changes were saved" and we can straight away ask "Have you installed?"

If you wish to re-organise the WD, now is the time to do it, before install, and you can do this from the pen drive.

Let me know and I draft up a plan of attack. We are using BIOS-MBR, yeah? and Linux Mint MATE, is it 18.3?

Cheers

Wiz

Thank you, your Wizardness. (invoke gracious "bow" smiley here).

The details first:

Linux Mint 18.3 MATE 64 bit.
BIOS-MBR for now. UEFI/GPT later.
3 partitions

But I'm not sure exactly how to proceed. Just reformat the entire drive to ext4, and then partition it seems like a quick and dirty fix to me. I do everything really quick. Just ask my ex wife. LoL

I've been doing a little homework concerning partitions, but everything hasn't gelled quite yet, I'm in like, third grade now. ha! I think I understand the BIOS/MBR boot sequence, and Primary/Extended and logical partitions make sense now, and that in Linux each partition can contain its own file system (please correct me if I'm wrong) but I would like to know if Linux needs a swap file for each partition, (swap files actually bing a partition in itself, right?), and do I have to set [it/them] up myself, or is Gparted intuitive enough to make a swap file for me when I select each partition size? I would like 3 partitions, approximately equal size.

Suggestions?

 

[Gomad]

Here's a Gparted screen shot.

 

[wizardfromoz]

GUI approach or command line approach can be used here. GUI simply involves using GParted, command line would use fdisk (for MBR, gdisk is for GPT) and parted which is similar to GParted but different , and mkfs (make file system).

I expect, GParted would be easiest and fastest for now, if you're OK with that?

And yes you are on track, we can just reformat the whole drive to one partition, and if you want to use Swap, then I would suggest 4GiB, and this can be carved off the one big partition. Your Mint would then go onto /dev/sda1, and the Swap onto /dev/sda2, but /dev/sda2 would not be set up as an Extended Partition, but rather as a Primary Partition. An Extended Partition is reserved then as either of /dev/sda3 or /dev/sda4 but not both.

With your screenshot from #96 page 5, it is apparent that /dev/sda1 was set up first, then /dev/sda2 was set up as an Extended Partition, under which its entire space was set up as a Logical Partition /dev/sda5, leaving 10.61 GiB of space for a future /dev/sda3 and /dev/sda4 combined, clearly not very workable except for very small Linux Distros, but could be used for modest storage space.

As things stand, you have 1,382.78 GiB between sda1 and sda3, and you could downsize sda1, move sda3 to "the left" to flank it, and set up a /dev/sda4 to its "right". Then you have room for 3 very spacious Linuxes if you wish. But with the Swap where it is, as it is, that would be as far as you can go.

I see you have posted, and I have to go for 20 minutes but I'll be back (Arnie).

Wizard

 

[Gomad]

Well crapola. I reformatted sda1, but that didn't work like I expected. Evidently I don't know as much as I think I do. All the other partitions are still there, so obviously I need step by step instructions on how to get rid of all the partitions and reformat the drive and end up with 3 partitions and a swap partition, if necessary.

 

[wizardfromoz]

(giggle) I love it when they get ahead of me

I have 2 Ph.D's - one in being a nutter (8 mental disorders), the other is in "jumping the gun", from when I first started in Linux. Been there, done that, got a t-shirt on the way and had to lick a few wounds

We'll do Julie Andrews (let's start at the very beginning) except we start at the end.

In GParted, click to highlight and then right-click /dev/sda5 and choose to Delete and execute it. This and the following can all be done together, they will appear as operations at the bottom in the order you do them, but do not "Apply" yet.

Next, do the same with /devs sda2, then 3, then 1.

Once that has been completed, click your curvy arrow under Help to "Apply all operations". GParted will do its voodoo, and you will end up with the full 1.5 TB, 1.36 TiB, of unallocated space.

Pause and I will post in a few minutes

Wiz

 

[Gomad]

(giggle) I love it when they get ahead of me

I have 2 Ph.D's - one in being a nutter (8 mental disorders), the other is in "jumping the gun", from when I first started in Linux. Been there, done that, got a t-shirt on the way and had to lick a few wounds

We'll do Julie Andrews (let's start at the very beginning) except we start at the end.

In GParted, click to highlight and then right-click /dev/sda5 and choose to Delete and execute it. This and the following can all be done together, they will appear as operations at the bottom in the order you do them, but do not "Apply" yet.

Next, do the same with /devs sda2, then 3, then 1.

Once that has been completed, click your curvy arrow under Help to "Apply all operations". GParted will do its voodoo, and you will end up with the full 1.5 TB, 1.36 TiB, of unallocated space.

Pause and I will post in a few minutes

Wiz

A man who never makes any mistakes is a man who never does anything.


That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

When I right click /sda5, the only options are "swapoff" "manage flags" or "information." When I click "information" it reports that the file is "active." I'll bet two toads to three batwings that I need to click swapoff first.

 

[wizardfromoz]

Got that in one, my bad

 

[Gomad]

No problem, I now have one partition with 1.36 TB of unallocated space so we're right where we want to be. (high five)

 

[wizardfromoz]

I should say at this point as I should have two Posts previous, for the benefit of The Viewers, if your partition you are about to work GParted voodoo on is active, you will first have to unmount it, this by right-clicking and choosing unmount. In the case of Swap, swapoff. An active partition will have a small icon near the left, it may look like a key, or a telephone with handset and dialpad, or other.

Wiz

 

[wizardfromoz]

Cool, now we can get our hands dirty.

STEP 1

In GParted, go to the menu bar and choose Device-Create Partition Table.

You will likely get a default of ms-dos appear, and if you clicked the down arrow, you would see gpt and a bunch of others, this can be used with the Seagate at the appropriate time.

Choose Apply (for ms-dos).

 

[Gomad]

Cool, now we can get our hands dirty.

STEP 1

In GParted, go to the menu bar and choose Device-Create Partition Table.

You will likely get a default of ms-dos appear, and if you clicked the down arrow, you would see gpt and a bunch of others, this can be used with the Seagate at the appropriate time.

Choose Apply (for ms-dos).

Done.

 

[wizardfromoz]

I'll keep going, and you can see I've edited the previous Post, so it is now STEP 1 at #117, page 6.

I'll just read your Post.

 

[wizardfromoz]

Likewise

STEP 2

With the Partition Table now set up, we'll set up two Partitions, and then install Linux Mint.

Your freshly vacated 1.36 TiB is likely highlighted by default, if not, click it, then right-click and choose New.

This will generate a popup window with several fields to be adjusted with numerals.

Default in first field should be 1 MiB, this is for the Linux equivalent of a File Allocation Table.

The middle will show, in MiB, whatever 1.36 Tib x 1,024 is equal to.

The 3rd field will show zero.

What I want you to do is to use Calculator (in Menu - Accessories) or a notepad to subtract 4,096 from that big figure (this presumes you want to put Swap on).

Enter that revised figure in the middle numeric field and tab or arrow to the next.

The 3rd field will come to 4,096 - this will be your Swap.