So the problem is, I wanted to install git so I went and looked up how to do it and typed in . Without reading the details of what it wanted to do, I instinctively pressed y when it asked to confirm. Then it proceeded to remove lots of things including Bluefish (a text editor) and my network manager. I think it also messed around with some systemd stuff. Then I found out that besides not being able to see wifi networks, I also couldn't shutdown. The option was greyed out and the command didn't work. So I held the power button for 5 seconds and crashed the pc. Then, as I tried to boot into debian again, it went through the startup procedure which seemed different than usual and got held up for a while on some processes. In the end it brings me to the Debian login in the form of a terminal. So how can I recover the functionality of my system (the ui, internet, etc)? A friend recommended I just reinstall it. Some extra info:

• Startx works but only as root. (If you try to get to the lockscreen after logging in as root, a funny thing happens - the computer screen becomes black and if you hit any key it becomes pink or blue depending on the key).
• Typing in
  Code:

  systemctl

  doesn't work and prints
  Code:

  System has not been boosted with systemd as init system (PID 1). Can't operate. Failed to connect to bus: Host is down.

• During startup, it usually hangs on
  Code:

  starting system messages bus: dbus

  for a while
• Someone online recommended trying running
  Code:

  ps -p 1 -o comm=

  to see my what my first process is and instead of being systemd or SysV it simply outputs init.

what is the output of 'apt-cache policy'

Duplicate of https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...em-4175684943/