Linux Mint Update Catastrophe

When it ain't broke, there's no need to fix it and things were working just fine. I had a certain version of Linux Mint installed on my laptop, I don't even know what version, and I unwisely decided to update. I assumed it would be to the latest version (Virginia 21.3) but instead it was updated to Vanessa (21) and that's when that laptop was definitely broke. The entire hard drive became read only and I couldn't add or delete anything.

I commonly take screenshots and the app worked just fine but I couldn't save the screenshots to the hard drive. I couldn't even open this blog for editing because Blogger needed to save to the hard drive. Checking on the Internet, I found that the problem is well known but a solution is not so easy to find. This is the reason most people use Windows or Mac OS. They don't want to be bothered by annoyances of this sort.

I'm coming to the same point of view. To experience such a basic and catatrophic mishap after an upgrade is unforgiveable. I'll never use Linux Mint again and will now revert to Ubuntu that used to be my Linux distribution of choice. I thought it might be possible to upgrade from Vanessa to Virginia but that's not currently possible for some reason.  Fortunately my trusty Raspberry Pi 400 is working just fine and so I'm able to remain productive and even update this blog.

The wired connection to the Internet has ceased to work on the laptop and the battery is showing a 0% charge, even though it's fully charged. Whoever the brains were behind this upgrade, they need to be fired. While I'm sure I'll get the laptop operational again, I'm not going to make the same mistake again. Once a working OS is installed, that will be it, no more upgrades. As a matter of principle however, I'll never use Linux Mint again and never recommend that anyone else uses it.

Currently I'm downloading Ubuntu 22.04 to the SD card on the Raspberry Pi and my typing freezes intermittently as I'm typing this. So it goes. I guess what I'd like for my forthcoming birthday is an up-to-date mini PC or a more recent laptop, such as an M1 Macbook Air with 16GB of RAM. One can dream, can't one?

Well the Ubuntu download failed due to insufficient disk space so I've opted for the smaller Elementary OS which should fit on the SD card. It should be said that the card in question also holds the Raspberry Pi OS and the computer boots off that card. Google's Gemini recommended this operating system when I put the following question to it:

What is the best Linux-based operating system for a 2013 Macbook Pro with Retina Display? I had been using Linux Mint but when I upgraded the result was a disaster. So don't recommend that please. 

While there isn't a single "best" option, several Linux distributions can work well on your 2013 MacBook Pro with Retina display. The best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some options with some considerations:

Distributions with good Retina display support:

• Elementary OS: Known for its user-friendly interface and polished visuals, which might offer an experience similar to your previous Linux Mint setup. However, keep in mind that it's based on Ubuntu so might have encountered similar upgrade issues.
• Manjaro KDE: KDE Plasma offers excellent customization options and generally good high-DPI scaling support. However, some users report scaling issues specifically on 2013 MBPs, so checking compatibility beforehand is recommended.
• Ubuntu: A popular choice with good hardware support and a large community. However, its default Gnome desktop environment may not have the best scaling experience for some users. Look into alternative desktops like KDE Plasma or XFCE on Ubuntu for potentially better results.

Other noteworthy options:

• Fedora: This distro focuses on cutting-edge features and updates, potentially offering a more modern experience. However, it requires more technical knowledge than some other options.
• Solus: Emphasizes ease of use and stability, with good high-DPI scaling support. However, it has a smaller community and may have fewer available software packages compared to larger distros.

Well, the bootable USB containing the Elementary OS has been created and it's time to check what files I need to save from the laptop. There won't be many. I keep most of my important files on Google Drive. I'll be surprised if the installation goes smoothly but I remain hopeful.

After shutting down my laptop, I found that it wouldn't reboot and so I had to abandon any attempt at retrieving files. No matter, I'm typing now on my laptop using the Elementary OS that seems to be functioning quite well. The webcam is not operational but that's been the case with all the Linux installations and it's no problem for me because I rarely have cause to use it. Apart from that all seems well. Fingers crossed. 

I'll close this post by reiterating what a complete disaster my attempt at a Linux Mint update was. For a major Linux distributor, this was unforgivable. The upside was that I got a new OS that seems to be functioning as OS's should.