I like PCLinuxOS and use it on a daily basis, I am no guru and I only think of a computer as an electronic filing system that has certain files that make things happen (programs). Every once in a while I run into a snag and trial and error is how I learn. I will always write what has worked for me and hopefully it will help those that run into the same problems. If there are better solutions please leave a comment.
This solution I used required that I had a remasterme dvd. It is pretty easy to make one. Log in as root and type in the console (Terminal) and type remasterme and an iso file will be made in your root folder. Since you logged in as root you can burn the newly created iso file to a dvd. You can use brasero or k3b whichever your preference, personally I like using brasero. Either flavor make sure you verify the data. Now you have a remasterme of your file system on dvd(a.k.a. a backup of your file system). You should always do this when your OS is set up up beautifully to your liking.
My system partitions are set up swap, /, /home, windows ( for Rome: Total War only).
Now I only had to use this method because my X server wouldn’t startx. I tried every suggestion from the PCLinuxOS forum. But nothing was working and I was glad to have a remasterme dvd hanging around. O.K. let’s start the show eh.
Be sure your BIOS is set to boot from cd-rom. Pop in your PCLinuxOS remasterme cd. Login as root, I find this easier than using su all the time, I recommend only logging in as root for repairs only and do not do it on a daily basis. Now click install, select use existing partitions. Now when it comes to the install screen, which should show your two partitions top one blank and the bottom one home. Change the top one to “/” minus quotes and change the home one to blank and install. I entered my same password for root when I was prompted and didn’t add any users. Restart the computer.
The computer should start up as normal. Login as root again. Go into your file manager and delete your home folder, You’ll understand why later. Go into the control panel and and click mount points, you will notice that your old /home partition is renamed to /dev/hda6, or whatever you set as your /home partition to, click on the partition. Click on toggle expert mode you will see the list in the partiton manager has more options. Now click options and uncheck everything and then click mount point and change it to /home. Now click mount and then done and save the fstab file.
Now go into the boot menu and click setup how system boots and click next and then finish. You might have to modify the boot options to “resume=/dev/hda5″ or to your Linux Swap partition i.e. /dev/hda3,/dev/hda4 and what not. Now restart your computer and your PCLinuxOS is back on track.
I also found I had to reconfigure my internet connection, which is easily done from the control panel. Well I hope this helps someone with keeping this great OS.
Editors Note: You might want to backup your file system once a week.
