I was trying to fix an issue with VLC and MPV because I couldn't open MP4 files. After running some commands in the terminal with an AI's help, we thought the problem was with the 'libopenh264.so.7' library. I think I was instructed to reinstall it while uninstalling other media drivers. The next day, when I tried to boot my PC, I ended up with a light black screen after the GRUB menu, indicating that something was working but there was no image. Other GRUB options like rescue mode didn't help. Right now, I can't do anything except access the GRUB terminal. I really don't want to reinstall my OS because I have a slow internet connection and don't want to spend a lot of time redownloading my 300GB of games and logging into all my programs. I only have access to a Mac and a 16GB USB flash drive. What steps can I take to repair my OS?
4 Answers
Just a heads up, AI can mess up things pretty badly sometimes. If you ever need to troubleshoot in the future, it’s usually better to stick to established forums or documentation where you can get reliable advice.
It sounds like your GRUB configuration might have gotten messed up. You should use your USB to create a live disk. Boot into that live image, mount your broken Linux install, and then chroot into it. From there, run `grub2-mkconfig` to recreate your grub config and `dracut` to recreate your initramfs. After that, reboot into your broken system and see if you can sort out the rest.
How do I actually mount my broken Linux install? Can you break it down for me?
For future installs, consider using Flatpaks since they package all necessary libraries, reducing the risk of messing up your system with incompatible packages. They’re easier to manage, and you won't have to worry as much about library issues.
But how do you install Flatpaks? Do you just go to a website or is there a specific command for that?
Honestly, if you only have a USB and no other drives, it might be easier to boot a live USB with a rescue distro. From there, you could mount the problematic hard drive and save any essential files, like your Steam library, before attempting any repairs.
What do you mean by 'bad HD'? Are all my files just gone if I can't access them?
Yeah, I think I've learned my lesson there. No more AI suggestions!