Fixing Linux Mint on Pendrive Default Mode Issue

Linux Mint is a popular operating system known for its user-friendly interface and stability. Many people choose to run Linux Mint from a USB pendrive, as it allows them to use the operating system on different computers without making any changes to the computer's hard drive. However, some users may encounter an issue where Linux Mint always boots into "Default Mode" when running from a pendrive. In this article, we will discuss how to fix this issue and ensure that Linux Mint boots into the desired mode.

Understanding Default Mode

When Linux Mint is booted from a pendrive, it usually gives users the option to choose between "Default Mode" and "Compatibility Mode." Default Mode is the recommended mode for most users, as it provides better performance and compatibility with modern hardware. Compatibility Mode, on the other hand, is designed for older or problematic hardware that may not work well with the default settings.

However, some users may find that Linux Mint always boots into Default Mode, even if they select Compatibility Mode during startup. This can be frustrating, especially if you specifically need Compatibility Mode for your hardware. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to fix this issue.

Step 1: Booting into Compatibility Mode

The first step is to ensure that you are actually booting into Compatibility Mode. Sometimes, users may mistakenly think they are in Default Mode when they are actually in Compatibility Mode. To check this, follow these steps:

1. Start your computer and insert the Linux Mint pendrive.
2. When the boot menu appears, select "Start Linux Mint" or a similar option.
3. Wait for Linux Mint to load.
4. Once Linux Mint is fully loaded, open a terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
5. In the terminal, type the following command and press Enter: inxi -F
6. Look for the line that says "Kernel" and check if it mentions "pae" or "non-pae". If it mentions "pae", then you are in Compatibility Mode. If it mentions "non-pae", then you are in Default Mode.

If you find that you are actually in Default Mode when you want to be in Compatibility Mode, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Editing the Boot Configuration

To fix the issue of Linux Mint always booting into Default Mode, we need to edit the boot configuration file. Here's how:

1. Start your computer and insert the Linux Mint pendrive.
2. When the boot menu appears, select "Start Linux Mint" or a similar option.
3. Wait for Linux Mint to load.
4. Once Linux Mint is fully loaded, open a terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
5. In the terminal, type the following command and press Enter: sudo nano /etc/default/grub
6. Enter your password when prompted.
7. In the text editor that opens, look for the line that starts with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT.
8. At the end of that line, add forcepae if you want to boot into Compatibility Mode, or forcepae --pae if you want to boot into Default Mode.
9. Press Ctrl + X to exit the text editor.
10. Press Y and then Enter to save the changes.
11. In the terminal, type the following command and press Enter: sudo update-grub
12. Wait for the update process to complete.
13. Restart your computer.

After following these steps, Linux Mint should now boot into the mode you specified in the boot configuration file. If you want to change the mode in the future, you can simply edit the boot configuration file again and update the changes.

Conclusion

Running Linux Mint from a pendrive can be a convenient way to use the operating system on different computers. However, if you encounter the issue of Linux Mint always booting into Default Mode, it can be frustrating. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to fix this issue and ensure that Linux Mint boots into the desired mode. Remember to double-check the mode you are actually in before making any changes to the boot configuration file.

References

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