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I'm attempting to run 32 bit linux off of a usb for an old XP machine. There are important files on the computer's base drive, so formatting or partitioning isn't on the cards. So far I've tried AntiX and Debian, and in both cases I was sent straight to grub repair with the error "/boot/grub/i386-pc/normal.mod cannot be found". Using grub rescue I identified the correct partition, and can use ls to see the list of folders to find the /boot folder, however any attempt to ls into the boot folder produces an empty line before returning the command prompt. Examining the usb with a different computer, the normal.mod file is there in its correct place, however the boot folder and a few other folders cannot be written to or modified due to permission issues which I can't figure out. My best guess is that grub simply isn't allowing itself to read the boot folder, but I'm not sure

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  • Please clarify your specific problem or provide additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it's hard to tell exactly what you're asking. Commented Aug 6 at 12:18
  • I should be clear: I used a flashed usb to install the os onto another usb through the computer Commented Aug 6 at 13:07
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    So, you're saying you used a fully installed OS in a USB and not the live/installation media? A live session should be enough to access and backup whatever files you need, if the old PC can boot from USB, that is. Commented Aug 6 at 13:18
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    I agree with @ChanganAuto. I have had success with AntiX 32bit as a replacement for XP. This page has download links and instructions for creating a live USB antixlinux.com/download Commented Aug 6 at 13:39

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Sorry for the trouble, I managed to fix the issue. AntiX's automatic partitioning did not actually create a proper boot drive, so the whole thing worked after manually setting a fat32 /boot alongside the home and root.

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  • What you probably created was an ESP (EFI System Partition). Indeed required but ISN'T to be confused with /boot (that you DON'T need, you can have it but not really required except in very special setups). Keep in mind: How it boots is how it installs so, if the AntiX installer didn't create an ESP is because it was booted in Legacy/CSM/"BIOS" mode. Commented Aug 8 at 18:37

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