Re: [tlug] Computer fails to boot: Understand the problem; Stop treating symptoms; Make haste slowly; GUI admin tool intrigue

[jep200404 <jep200404@example.com>]

David Bernat wrote:

> "Stephen J. Turnbull" <stephen@example.com> wrote:
> 
> >Alternatively, stop trying to "fix" the machine, and start trying to
> >understand it. 

That's good advice. 

> >Read the man pages for ls, chmod, mount, and so on.
> >Use "ls -l" and "mount" to explore the state of the machine before and
> >after everything you do to try to change it.  (Better yet, do that and
> >post transcripts here.)  Read the output of dmesg to see if the kernel
> >has anything interesting to say.
> 
> All this would be fine if the machine weren't one I use to make a living.

Blowing off Stephen's advice will not help you. Whining won't help either. 

> I am pretty much out of luxury time to devote to anything other than
> getting the machine back into working order by this afternoon. 
> Three days of ineffective attempts to get back to where I was on Sunday
> afternoon mean that intellectual pursuits have to be delayed until later.

Fine. 

You have screwed around doing things as you please for over two 
months now, wasting more than the mere three days you mention 
above, yet you still persist in doing things the same way. 
You are the one holding yourself back. 

The beginning of a new year is a traditional time for resolving 
to improve oneself. Are you willing to learn from us how to solve 
problems and willing to give up the habits that hold you back?  
A simple "yes" or "no" without elaboration will suffice. 

Happy New Year! Make it so.