How can you use Linux as a computer repair OS?

1 Choosing a Linux distribution

There are hundreds of Linux distributions, or variants, available online, each with its own features, interface, and software. For computer repair purposes, you want to choose a distribution that is lightweight, reliable, and compatible with most hardware. Some of the most popular choices are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Puppy Linux, which can run from a USB drive or a CD without installing on the hard drive. You can download the ISO files of these distributions from their official websites, and use a tool like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable media.

2 Booting into Linux

Once you have created your bootable Linux media, you can insert it into the computer you want to repair, and restart it. You might need to change the boot order in the BIOS or UEFI settings to make the computer boot from the USB or CD instead of the hard drive. Depending on the distribution you chose, you will see a menu that allows you to either try Linux without installing, or install it on the hard drive. For most repair tasks, you can choose the first option, which will load Linux into the RAM and let you access the desktop environment.

3 Accessing the files and partitions

One of the main advantages of using Linux as a computer repair OS is that it can read and write to most file systems, including NTFS, FAT32, HFS+, and EXT4. This means you can access the files and partitions on the hard drive of the computer you are repairing, and perform various operations on them. For example, you can copy or backup important data, delete viruses or malware, resize or format partitions, or recover deleted files. You can use the built-in file manager or terminal commands to navigate and manipulate the files and partitions.

4 Running diagnostic and repair tools

Another benefit of using Linux as a computer repair OS is that it comes with a plethora of diagnostic and repair tools that can help you identify and fix various issues on the computer. For example, you can use GParted to manage partitions, TestDisk to recover lost partitions, PhotoRec to recover lost files, ClamAV to scan for viruses, Memtest86+ to test the RAM, Smartmontools to check the hard drive health, and many more. You can also install additional tools from the software repositories or online sources, depending on your needs.

5 Updating or installing drivers

Sometimes, the computer you are repairing might have hardware issues that require updating or installing drivers. Linux can usually detect and load the appropriate drivers for most devices, but in some cases, you might need to manually install them from the manufacturer's website or a third-party source. You can use the lspci or lsusb commands to list the devices and their drivers, and use the modprobe or insmod commands to load or unload drivers. You can also use the Synaptic Package Manager or the Software Center to install drivers from the repositories.

6 Creating a custom Linux repair OS

If you want to have more control and customization over your Linux repair OS, you can create your own version using tools like Linux Live Kit, Remastersys, or Systemback. These tools allow you to create a bootable Linux media from your existing Linux installation, and include the software, settings, and files you want. This way, you can have a personalized and portable Linux repair OS that suits your preferences and needs. You can also share your custom Linux repair OS with others, or use it as a backup or recovery option.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?