[stevef]

Attached session log from the pkill install.

session.txt.backup.tar.gz Size: 9.2 KB  Downloads: 2

[valtam]

Code:

sudo pkill -f -9 gvfs-udisks2-volume-monitor; gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.media-handling automount false; xfconf-query -c thunar-volman -p /automount-drives/enabled -s false

TL;DR: A background helper in the live session was racing the installer when it tried to format the disk. The new ISO has a small wrapper that quiets the helper before the installer launches — no more terminal commands needed.

Why some installs were failing

When you boot a Linux Lite live session, a small background helper watches for drives — when you plug in a USB stick it pops open the file manager so you can see your files. Useful in daily use, but during a fresh install it caused a race: the moment the installer created a new partition on your hard drive, that helper jumped in to "open" it — right at the moment the installer was trying to format it. The two collided and you'd see the "Can't open blockdev" error.

What's in the fix

When you click Install Linux Lite on the new ISO, a small wrapper runs first. It politely tells the auto-open helper to stand down for this session, stops any copy already running, then launches the installer normally. You'll see the same password prompt and the same installer screen as before — just without the collision.

You don't need to type anything in a terminal. Just click Install Linux Lite and proceed as usual.

Solution baked into the Final ISO for June 1st.

P.S. this interaction with @stevef was the kind developers can only hope for each and every time. Others, take note :)

[sqwuade]

Interesting.  I'll have to give this a try and see if I can replicate the bug.  I pretty much always delete partitions from drives with Gparted before doing an install so the installer sees the drive as basically a new, empty drive.

[stevef]

Package update indicator quirk.

The icon on the task bar indicates there maybe an update available.
If the icon is clicked on, the 'Install Updates' option is available.  On earlier versions, if no update is known about, 'Install Updates' would be greyed out so this is taken to indicate something can be updated.

If 'Install Updates' is clicked on, it reports 'System Up to Date'

Running apt update from the terminal suggests that 8.0-0030-linux-lite is installed and is upgradable to 8.0-0500-linuxlite.

[valtam]

Hi steve, I've written a new tray icon for updates that will be in the Final :)

[sqwuade]

Interesting.  I'll have to give this a try and see if I can replicate the bug.  I pretty much always delete partitions from drives with Gparted before doing an install so the installer sees the drive as basically a new, empty drive.

Well, I didn't have any issues.  I ran the installer from inside the LIVE desktop, not the direct install option during boot.

[SleepyD]

@SleepyD would like to see what you think of RC2.

Hi valtam.  Sorry I haven't responded sooner.  The install went well for me.  I have a multi boot PC which has Windows 11 as well as multiple versions of Linux.  I manually partition.  Just / and EFI.  I have a exFAT partition for data.  All went well.  The distro just keeps getting better with every version.  I have some retired ladies on Linux Lite so they didn't have to buy a new PC.  They love it.  It's nice to see an upgrade option coming.

[SleepyD]

I have run across this.  I click the arrow down by the Wifi icon.  I click Check for Updates Now.  It doesn't appear that anything is happening.  Is it doing something in the background?

[valtam]

It checks once per hour, it will turn green when there are updates.

[valtam]

@SleepyD would like to see what you think of RC2.

Hi valtam.  Sorry I haven't responded sooner.  The install went well for me.  I have a multi boot PC which has Windows 11 as well as multiple versions of Linux.  I manually partition.  Just / and EFI.  I have a exFAT partition for data.  All went well.  The distro just keeps getting better with every version.  I have some retired ladies on Linux Lite so they didn't have to buy a new PC.  They love it.  It's nice to see an upgrade option coming.

Could you please tell me what partition options you used for dual booting? This will help others.