I've got this old laptop running Zorin OS, and I really messed things up. A while back, I deleted the default user account, thinking the system would just switch to my new account automatically. Spoiler: it didn't. Now, I'm stuck without SUDO privileges on the new account and I need a way to restore Zorin OS to its factory settings. I've tried formatting the laptop, but the screen isn't functioning, and I can't see anything on HDMI while in BIOS. Does anyone have suggestions on how I can fix this situation?
4 Answers
If you can access the GRUB menu, there might be a way to reach a root shell from there. Once you're at the root shell, remount your system partition as read/write, and then you can add SUDO rights to your new user using the command: `usermod -aG sudo USERNAME`. I don't have the exact commands handy, but you could check out tutorials online to get the specifics!
For the reinstall, consider removing the drive and placing it in an external enclosure. You can then connect it to a different working system, install the OS there, and finally put the drive back in your laptop. This could be a straightforward fix!
When you see the manufacturer's logo, start hitting Shift or Escape to check if the GRUB menu pops up. If it does, you might have some recovery options available.
You might want to connect your laptop to a power source and an external monitor, then try booting with an external keyboard. After that, you can attempt to access the BIOS. If you can get into it, you may be able to reinstall your OS from there. Just a heads up, this might not work for all laptops, but it's worth a shot!
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