System issues after major XIA crash

For the WD:
Unable to mount USB STICK
Error mounting /dev/sdc1 at /media/think/USB STICK: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on dev/sdc1, missing codepage or helper program, or other error
 


Write this down....(the info comes from this page: )

Penguin Laptop Computer Support Information​



Keys to bring up the boot menu & get into the BIOS:


NameModelBoot Menu KeyBIOS Key
Penguin J2TPE-PENJ2LAPF7F2
Penguin J4TPE-PENJ4LAPF7F2
Penguin T4TPE-PENT4LAPF7F2
Penguin SnaresTPE-SNARESPENGUINF7
 
if you have no information on the xia that you need to save, then absolutely you can use Timehsift snapshot to go back to Una....and then repeat your upgrade process which you did before.

I think it would be a good idea for you to overcome the 'wont bring up the boot menu" etc etc by using the info above....the key to tap to reach the boot menu is F7 ....while the key to tap to reach the bios/uefi is F2

Whether you try that now or later is up to you
 
Last edited:
G'day @jwnyc

Since I have a Timestamp back to Uma - could I restore that, and see if that solves the problem, since everything was working then?

Just for clarity, was that Uma (LM 20.2) or Una (LM 20.3)?

Either should be able to be restored. I just deleted my Uma and Una yesterday, but both worked fine up until then.

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
 
It seems the upgrade has caused this problem and because your Flash Drives won't work...your only option is a clean install. I know what some say that an upgrade is so good until it isn't...I did an upgrade a few years ago Mint 18 to 18.1...everything seemed just fine...then I noticed things stopped working and couldn't be fixed...from then on I always do a clean install.

I have Mint Cinnamon 21.1 on one SSD and 22.1 on my other SSD...both work just fine because they are clean installs. What you should do...download the Mint ISO and run the checksum...burn it to a Flash Drive with etcher and install it.

In your case you can't do the above...do you still have the Flash Drive with Mint on it ? If so...Boot to it and install Mint..disconnect any other Drives connected to the motherboard before you start.
Once installed and you get it the way you like...create an image with either Foxclone or Redorescue to an External HDD/SSD...should any thing happen again you won't lose anything.

You can also setup Timeshift on an External HDD and restore the snapshot to a clean install but I think both Foxclone and Redorescue are the better option. Hope this helps.
1747619627223.gif
 
so here's a thought - I dont know what sort of uefi/bios the Penguin computer uses, but in HP laptops, if a USB device is connected & you look at boot options in the bios, it should be detected and you can boot from it. if it's detected there, before the laptop boots to linux, then it's got to be an issue with your distro - wiping the laptop's ssd and starting over is likely the only option.

alternately, I suppose that if you had another computer you could make another usb live image, boot to that, then mount the ssd's filesystem and manually copy files from that onto another flash drive (or the same live image disk if there's enough space).

if you cant get into the Penguin's bios at all? reach out to their support line I guess?
 
G'day @jwnyc



Just for clarity, was that Uma (LM 20.2) or Una (LM 20.3)?

Either should be able to be restored. I just deleted my Uma and Una yesterday, but both worked fine up until then.

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
UNA!
 
G'day @jwnyc



Just for clarity, was that Uma (LM 20.2) or Una (LM 20.3)?

Either should be able to be restored. I just deleted my Uma and Una yesterday, but both worked fine up until then.

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
It seems the upgrade has caused this problem and because your Flash Drives won't work...your only option is a clean install. I know what some say that an upgrade is so good until it isn't...I did an upgrade a few years ago Mint 18 to 18.1...everything seemed just fine...then I noticed things stopped working and couldn't be fixed...from then on I always do a clean install.

I have Mint Cinnamon 21.1 on one SSD and 22.1 on my other SSD...both work just fine because they are clean installs. What you should do...download the Mint ISO and run the checksum...burn it to a Flash Drive with etcher and install it.

In your case you can't do the above...do you still have the Flash Drive with Mint on it ? If so...Boot to it and install Mint..disconnect any other Drives connected to the motherboard before you start.
Once installed and you get it the way you like...create an image with either Foxclone or Redorescue to an External HDD/SSD...should any thing happen again you won't lose anything.

You can also setup Timeshift on an External HDD and restore the snapshot to a clean install but I think both Foxclone and Redorescue are the better option. Hope this helps. View attachment 26031
That's also really useful. I don't have the flash drive, that's another problem. I'm thinking if I can restore UNA, have access to the USB ports, then download XIA to a flash drive, then do the clean install, that would be painful but probably the best solution.
 
You are all amazing! I am tackling this tomorrow, and will let you know what shakes out. Thank you so much!!!
 
I'm thinking if I can restore UNA, have access to the USB ports, then download XIA to a flash drive, then do the clean install, that would be painful but probably the best solution.
Access the usb ports......(tick)
download xia to a flash drive....NO...it is not a simple download to the usb stick/flash drive
First download the .iso file from HERE ....then use Balena etcher to "add" the .iso to your flash drive/usb stick......It is added via balena etcher that it amkle the usb stick BOOTABLE (Hugely important)


1747622879258.png

.....Balena etcher is downloaded to your pc. Then you Select the Image (the .iso file) ....select the drive (this will be your USB stick) ...then click on Flash .....this will burn (or add) the .iso file to the usb stick and it will be bootable
When that has finished (it takes just a few minutes) ....you shutdown the pc...then plug the usb stick in .....hit the start button, and then start tapping the F7 key.
The boot menu will appear.....use the arrow keys to select the usb stick....hit enter......and then wait as the magic happens and the LIVE version of LM22.1 appears on your screen.

LIVE version....this runs in RAM....IT IS NOT A FINAL INSTALL.
Play with it for a while....you are looking to make sure interner is working, and sound, and all the stuff that normally works for you.

When you are quite satisfied, there is an icon on the desktop, that says "Install Linux Mint"

Double click on that, and the install process will start. From beginning to end it takes around 20 minutes...maybe a bit less.

You will see a screen like the below....
Note....that will erase anything and everything that drive. BE SURE you have saved anything that you want from there BEFORE you boot to the usb stick.

You will also be asked if you wish to install multimedia codecs....tick Yes.

The below link are the installation instructions from the LM site.


Have a read. Questions?....just ask here.
 
Verifying the .iso
This is often overlooked/taken for granted/not done

It is a safeguard against any 'bad actor) (((not you !!!))). Interfering with the .iso file, and then you getting a distro that wont boot and all sorts of dramas.

It is unusual for this to happen because the security surrounding the various distros .iso files is very tight.
I download my .iso files via torrent.....that removes the need to run the verification procedure.

The actual verification process is not that hard....once you have done it a few times it becomes quite easy.
Your call.
 
btw....I leave the balena etcher on my pc.

Occasionally I will download a different .iso just to see what it looks like/how it runs. Balena does the job each and every time. perfectly

There is also a thing called Ventoy. It requires a dedicated usb stick, with ventoy downloaded onto it. As many .iso files are then simply dragged dropped onto that usb stick. (no balena etcher required)....then you just plug the usb stick in and click on whichever distro you are going to play with.....(or install)

There are very few limits...if any at all
 
That's also really useful. I don't have the flash drive, that's another problem. I'm thinking if I can restore UNA, have access to the USB ports, then download XIA to a flash drive, then do the clean install, that would be painful but probably the best solution.

When you burn Mint to a Flash Drive and install Mint...keep the Flash Drive handy because you can do many other things with the Live Session....https://www.linux.org/threads/the-mint-cinnamon-live-session.49417/

Hope this helps.
1747633619403.gif
 
I updated to Xia direct from the Linux site, without a USB drive. It was not a re-install, but an upgrade.

G'day @jwnyc - are you able to access that part of their site and provide us with a link?

TIA

Wizard
 
Thanks for the great - and concise - info! I'm in the recording studio all day today but when I'm back tonight I am planning to tackle this. Clean install. That's the plan. Will let you all know what transpires!
 
Hi All. Back in the saddle.

I got a new usb stick, unplugged a non-critical device from the back of the computer and the drive is recognized.

I'm downloading the iso file from Harvard now, and have the checksum files sitting on my desktop.

- I could not get the iso to be verified. I'm exhausted. Back at this tomorrow.
 
One of the US Mirror locations. It downloaded no problem. Sitting on my desktop with Etcher, ready to go. If I can just figure out how to verify it. Tomorrow!
 

Likely the mirror that they're using to download the .iso.

It's also in Cambridge, MA. So, I have an affinity, plus I took some courses at Harvard during the summer months. (Mostly things like intro to law and the like.) I went to school in Cambridge, but that's a bit off topic I suppose.\

But, Harvard has FOSS repositories for aiding in downloads.(So doesn't MIT, but that's not the topic.)
 
I could not get the iso to be verified
Try this:
Right mouse click on your downloaded version of the Mint 22.1 ISO.
Select Check SHA256
It will say it is calculating - this takes a fair amount of time.
Eventually a screen like below will appear

Now go in your browser to..
https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/linuxmi ... 256sum.txt
and you will see. ...three long numbers...for cinnamon, mate and xfce

Compare the two numbers...if the same...Exactly....Verified
 


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