Error says Read-only file system?

[Iron_Reptar]

When I try to run the bash command to download and install MagicMirror, I get the error…

Note.js installation Done!
Cloning MagicMirror...
fatal: could not create work tree dir 'MagicMirror'.: Read-only file system

I tried to run the bash command again, but I got an error telling me that dpkg was interrupted and asked me to run another command, so I ran

sudo dpkg --configure -a

and re-ran the bash command a 3rd time, only to arrive at the error

E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1).

Some additional information:
I’m running the command as pi user.
I’m running Raspbian with PIXEL because when I download NOOBS to a micro-sd, ‘Raspbian’ doesn’t show up as an option (even with ethernet connected). I was assured by some people on reddit that Raspbian with PIXEL was the same, just with a UI.
I’ve wiped and re-installed NOOBS at least 4 times on this micro-sd card, taking about an hour each time, and all I want is a working mirror :(

Do I need to go about a different way of installing this software? I’m unfamiliar with linux so any simplified version is appreciated :)

[Mykle1]

@Iron_Reptar said in Error says Read-only file system?:

Do I need to go about a different way of installing this software? I’m unfamiliar with linux so any simplified version is appreciated.

I’m assuming you are using a Pi 3 ???

Ideally, you want to use Raspbain Jessie. You’ll encounter the least amount of problems, if any, using that. You can see just what version of Raspbian you are using by opening a new terminal and typing cat /etc/os-release. You’ll see something like this:

pi@Pi3:~ $ cat /etc/os-release
PRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 8 (jessie)"
NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="8"
VERSION="8 (jessie)"
ID=raspbian
ID_LIKE=debian
HOME_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/"
SUPPORT_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/RaspbianForums"
BUG_REPORT_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/RaspbianBugs"
pi@Pi3:~ $ 

Now, I’m not suggesting that you do so, but you might consider one more wipe and install, using Jessie, and then doing a manual installation of MM.

Manual Installation

Download and install the latest Node.js version.
Clone the repository and check out the master branch: git clone https://github.com/MichMich/MagicMirror
Enter the repository: cd ~/MagicMirror
Install and run the app: npm install && npm start
Important: npm start does not work via SSH, use DISPLAY=:0 nohup npm start & instead. This starts the mirror on the remote display.

Note: if you want to debug on Raspberry Pi you can use npm start dev which will start the MagicMirror app with Dev Tools enabled.

I hope this helps

[Iron_Reptar]

@Mykle1 Yes I am running on a Pi 3. Also I just ran the cat /etc/os-release and it gave the exact same output as you wrote, so it is running jessie.

I think I will wipe and re-install, but do you think using NOOBS like I have been will suffice since it does say I’m running jessie?

Also, sorry for the million questions, but could you step me through downloading the latest Node.js as well as cloning the repository? When I tried to download just Node.js a couple dasys ago and ran sudo apt update then sudo apt full-upgrade (as per this guide http://thisdavej.com/beginners-guide-to-installing-node-js-on-a-raspberry-pi/) I get some errors (it’s been a couple days since I did this so i forget what the error was)

Thank you for taking the time to reply :)

[Mykle1]

@Iron_Reptar

NOOBS just makes installation easier. It’s still raspbian, and if Jessie is what it is installing then I would say that is just fine. I did my first Pi3 that way, too.

Actually, I would have recommended the “thisdavej” url to you. It’s easy to understand and direct. I could not do a better job explaining it. Take your time and follow the directions precisely.

There is also this page by “thisavej” that you might want to read.

http://thisdavej.com/upgrading-to-more-recent-versions-of-node-js-on-the-raspberry-pi/

[Iron_Reptar]

@Mykle1 Okay, I’ll give it another shot. Thanks again!

[Iron_Reptar]

@Mykle1
I just cleaned everything up and went step by step through the instructions I mentioned before (even bypassing NOOBS and downloading Raspbian directly then flashing it to my sd card, but I was only able to get as far as $ sudo apt full-upgrade, during which it fails. It runs for a while then towards the end it says

dpkg: error while cleaning up: unable to restore backup version of '/usr/lib/locale/C.UTF-8/LC_MEASUREMENT': Read-only file system
dpkg: error while cleaning up: unable to restore backup version of '/usr/lib/locale/C.UTF-8/LC_TELEPHONE': Read-only file system
dpkg: error while cleaning up: unable to restore backup version of '/usr/lib/locale/C.UTF-8/LC_ADDRESS': Read-only file system
dpkg: error while cleaning up: unable to restore backup version of '/usr/lib/locale/C.UTF-8/LC_NAME': Read-only file system
dpkg: error while cleaning up: unable to restore backup version of '/usr/lib/locale/C.UTF-8/LC_PAPER': Read-only file system
dpkg: error while cleaning up: unable to restore backup version of '/usr/lib/locale/C.UTF-8/LC_MESSAGES/SYS_LC_MESSAGES': Read-only file system
dpkg: error while cleaning up: unable to restore backup version of '/usr/lib/locale/C.UE: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (2)
E: Problem executing scrpits DPkg::Post-Invoke 'usr/bin/test -e /usr/share/dbus-1/system-services/org.freedesktop.PackageKit.service && /usr/bin/gdbus call --system --dest org.freedesktop.PackageKit --object path /org/freedesktop/PackageKit --timeout 4 --method org.freedesktop.PackageKit.StateHasChanged cache-update > /dev/null; /bin/echo > /dev/null'
E:Sub-process returned an error code

My entire desktop has gone grey, all icons at the top (cmd, chromium, woflram, etc.) are just blank file images that don’t do anything…
Do you have any advice on fixing this? Do you think it could be a problem with the sd card itself and I need to get a new one?

[Mykle1]

@Iron_Reptar said in Error says Read-only file system?:

Do you think it could be a problem with the sd card itself and I need to get a new one?

Funny you should mention that. One of the developers here has been troubleshooting a problem for weeks. As it turns out, his problem was a bad SD card reader, so anything is possible. At least it’s an inexpensive way to eliminate that possibilty.

Now, if you’re doing things the same way and expecting a different result, then, I don’t know what to tell you. These are the 2 most reliable ways of getting MM up and running on your Pi.

https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/236/complete-setup-tutorial

https://github.com/MichMich/MagicMirror

[Iron_Reptar]

@Mykle1
I’m about to go return my sd card and see if I can’t get another, but wanted to make sure before I mess with the new one that I’m even formatting it right.
I’m using the program “SDFormatter”, setting the Format type to “Full (Erase)” and the Format Size Adjustment to “ON”
Does that sound right to you?

[Mykle1]

@Iron_Reptar said in Error says Read-only file system?:

I’m using the program “SDFormatter”, setting the Format type to “Full (Erase)” and the Format Size Adjustment to “ON”
Does that sound right to you?

Preparing the SD card

Thanks to @KirAsh4, here is an excellent walkthrough on preparing your SD Card, using SDFormatter.
https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/236/complete-setup-tutorial/2

[Iron_Reptar]

@Mykle1
In case you were curious at all (or someone in the future finds this), it turns out it was a problem with the micro sd card. The one I had was a 32 gig Lexar micro sd card. I took it back to the store and swapped it out for a 32 gig SanDisk mico sd and this one has been working perfectly.

Thanks again for all of your help, you’re awesome!!!