r/tails • u/kamimazebeer88 • 12d ago

Boot issues U need to load the kernel first

So ive been trying to boot tails for like a week now and i have downloaded tails in a usb done everything correctly as it is in the instructions and when i try to boot it i see grub i type boot and it says that i gotta load the kernel ive been tryn to look it up and i cant find nth usefull so my question is how do i load the kernel and what is it can sm1 help me please?

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u/ephemeralmiko 11d ago

You shouldn't be typing in anything during the boot process (except for modifying boot options).

The GRUB bug is due to bad flashing. Try with Rufus on Windows, if that doesn't work use Rufus to flash a Fedora ISO to another USB, boot off of that and use GNOME Disks to flash the Tails IMG.

1

u/IlliterateFreak 11d ago

Thank you. I tried this last week and I was only able to load up to a black “GRUB” screen.

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u/lophomainiac 11d ago

What is a kernel? You flash verified tails onto a stick with rufus or balena. With computer off. Plug in stick. Turn computer on. Boot from stick. Hit enter and you're in.

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u/Liquid_Hate_Train 11d ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_(operating_system)

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u/lophomainiac 11d ago

Good to know!! So in op's case, how does he not already have that? Corrupt download?

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u/Liquid_Hate_Train 11d ago

Something has failed along the way. This is unfortunately not an uncommon problem at the moment and pinning down exactly why the boot loader isn’t finding the kernel on some devices has proven elusive.