Mint Format
I’ve been using Linux for over 10 years. I was happy with Ubuntu until the introduction of the Unity desktop in Ubuntu 11.04, if memory serves. Since then I’ve used Linux Mint. I recently upgraded to Mint 19 Tara with the Cinnamon desktop when I came across a minor problem with my Acer Aspire E1 Z5WE1 laptop. The mousepad sometimes ‘freezes’ only to be released by a left click.
I searched online for a fix and found myself on the official Mint Forum. I followed the advice provided that included some Terminal commands. The fix didn’t work so I decided to reinstate the original setup by reversing the commands.
All should now be restored to its original state. Unfortunately, after a reboot, I was left with a very nice desktop but the mouse and keyboard failed to do anything! I must have done something wrong!
But I have Timeshift, I thought to myself! So I searched for a way to get to a command line before the GUI was launched and discovered that adding a 3 to the Linux line in the Grub menu would get the job done. All I had to do was type sudo timeshift – restore then select the latest backup and wait while Timeshift did its magic. The laptop rebooted after Timeshift had finished to a fully working desktop!
I’ve also been experimenting with the Autoupgrade feature and can report that it works without me even noticing, something a certain other OS could take heed of. In my opinion, Mint just goes from strength to strength.
Charlie Ogier, Guernsey
Neil replies
Jonni was very impressed with the new Timeshift system, which is a pretty front-end for more complex FOSS technology, either being the stalwart rsync or Btrfs snapshots, depending on your configuration. We seem to be running a LOT of Mint coverage and letters recently. Perhaps we need to rename the magazine...