Frequently Asked Questions

If your computer fails to boot properly and drops you into a command-line shell (often called a “rootfs shell”), it may be because the bootloader is broken or misconfigured.

To fix this, you must first boot from your TechLit USB drive. Once you have booted into the USB environment, you have two options:

1. Reinstall the bootloader: This is the quickest method. Open a terminal and run the following command:

   sudo tl-hw-update-bootloader /dev/sdX

   Device Drive

   Replace /dev/sdX with the correct device name for your computer’s internal drive (e.g., /dev/sda). Use lsblk to identify it.

2. Run a full desktop update:

This process is more thorough and will also repair the bootloader while updating the system. See the updating guide for detailed instructions.

Before performing any disk operations, it’s crucial to identify your USB drive correctly to avoid modifying the wrong device. Here are two simple methods to confirm the device name.

lsblk -o NAME,MOUNTPOINT,SIZE

1. Check by Storage Size

The easiest way to distinguish your USB drive is by its size. It will almost always be significantly smaller than your computer’s internal storage (hard drive or SSD).

2. Check by Mount Points

You can also identify the drive by looking at where its partitions are mounted.

• On the TechLit Desktop OS: The main system partition is typically mounted at /. Your USB drive will likely not be mounted, or mounted elsewhere.
• In TechLit ISO (Recovery Mode): The system boots from the USB, so its partitions will be mounted on key system directories:
  • The 4th partition (e.g., /dev/sdb4) is mounted at /srv.
  • The 3rd partition (e.g., /dev/sdb3) is mounted at /.

You can switch to a command-line interface (TTY) if the graphical desktop is frozen or for advanced tasks.

• To switch to TTY2:

  • On most computers: Ctrl + Alt + F2
  • On Apple computers: CMD + Option + F2
  • In rare cases: FN + Ctrl + Alt + F2
  • As admin: sudo chvt 2

• To switch back to the graphical desktop (TTY1):

  • Exit fbterm with exit then use Ctrl + Alt + F1.
  • You can also use Super + Alt + ←.
  • As admin: sudo chvt 1.

If you run out of storage, the most likely culprit would be the components

Use tl-comp-manage or search Manage components in start menu.

• Run rfkill list to see all your network devices.
• If your card is listed as soft blocked, run sudo rfkill unblock wifi to turn it on.
• If it is hard blocked, look for a hardware switch on your computer and turn it on.
• If none of these work, try a different wifi hack in reconfigure

This section provides solutions for common issues encountered with Dell XPS and Dell Mini models.

“Invalid Partition Table” Error on Boot

This is a known issue on some Dell models that can occur during startup.

If you encounter this error message, simply press Enter to proceed. Your system will continue to boot normally.

USB Boot Failure

If you encounter the error “Selected boot device failed. Press any key to reboot the system,” follow these steps:

1. Try a different USB port. A simple port change can often resolve the issue.
2. Manually add the boot option in BIOS:
   • Restart the computer and press F2 or F12 to enter BIOS setup.
   • Navigate to General > Boot Sequence.

     

   • Click Add Boot Option.
   • Select your USB device and navigate to the \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI file.

     

   • Save your changes and exit BIOS. You should now be able to select the USB drive from the boot menu.

     

USB 3.x Drive Not Detected

If your system fails to detect a USB 3.x drive, you may need to adjust the boot mode settings in the BIOS.

1. Enter BIOS setup by pressing F2 or F12 during startup.
2. Locate the boot settings and change the boot mode from BIOS/Legacy to UEFI.