ubuntu 10.10 boots to character screen. Reboot with old kernel 2.6.32-25-generic

Reboot to the old kernel and run:

sudo apt-get --reinstall install dkms

Then reboot to the NEW kernel and rerun the same command. Does it help

Thank you. Unfortunately, this did not solve the problem. My actions:

1) I'm running the old kernel(2.6.32-25-generic). I ran apt-get as specified:
sudo apt-get --reinstall install dkms
    result: reinstalled dkms 2.1.1.2-3ubuntu1.1
2) Rebooted with latest kernel (2.6.35-28-generic). Came up with character
console.
3) Logged in and re-ran the apt-get as specified. Same result: reinstalled
dkms 2.1.1.2-3ubuntu1.1
4) Rebooted with latest kernel. Came up with character console. Still no gui.
5) Rebooted with old kernel. Got my gui back.

I really appreciate your response. Here's another clue: When I boot with the
new kernel, I get the beginnings of the Ubuntu splash screen with the diamond
shaped dots. Then it suddenly switches to character messages (I dunno how to
capture them) about various subsystems starting up. Perhaps there's a log
somewhere that I could supply?

-Mikey

________________________________
From: actionparsnip <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Sat, April 16, 2011 5:39:04 AM
Subject: Re: [Question #153005]: ubuntu 10.10 boots to character screen. Reboot
with old kernel 2.6.32-25-generic

Your question #153005 on Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/153005

    Status: Open => Answered

actionparsnip proposed the following answer:
Reboot to the old kernel and run:

sudo apt-get --reinstall install dkms

Then reboot to the NEW kernel and rerun the same command. Does it help

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https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/153005/+confirm?answer_id=0

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I looked in /var/log. There are some Xorg logs, and I found a clue in them. I determined that Xorg.0.log is from the current, successful boot with the old kernel. Xorg.0.log.old is from the two-minute earlier, unsuccessful boot with the latest kernel. These two logs are virtually identical until line 104. At that point, you can see where the unsuccessful boot goes off the rails. Here is the log starting at line 100 (I'm including the line numbers). Line 104 is where badness began. (I didn't see anything helpful in "kern.log".)

    100 [ 15.295] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules/nvidia_drv.so
    101 [ 15.296] (II) Module nvidia: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"
    102 [ 15.296] compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0
    103 [ 15.296] Module class: X.Org Video Driver
    104 [ 15.298] (EE) NVIDIA: Failed to load the NVIDIA kernel module. Please check your
    105 [ 15.298] (EE) NVIDIA: system's kernel log for additional error messages.
    106 [ 15.298] (II) UnloadModule: "nvidia"
    107 [ 15.298] (II) Unloading /usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules/nvidia_drv.so
    108 [ 15.298] (EE) Failed to load module "nvidia" (module-specific error, 0)
    109 [ 15.298] (EE) No drivers available.
    110 [ 15.298]
    111 Fatal server error:
    112 [ 15.298] no screens found
    113 [ 15.298]
    114 Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
    115 at http://wiki.x.org
    116 for help.
    117 [ 15.298] Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.
    118 [ 15.298]

This question was expired because it remained in the 'Open' state without activity for the last 15 days.

I hope this unexpires it.

uninstalll the driver and reboot, this will use the open driver, you can then boot to the new kernel and run:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-173

Reboot and it should be ok

I don't know how to uninstall the current driver.  I tried "sudo apt-get remove nvidia-173" which reported it was not installed.  (I knew this was a long shot, anyway.)

So, I tried the rest of it.  I booted with the latest kernel and logged in to the character screen it gave me.  I then used apt-get to install nvidia-173.  (I wish I had thought to tee off the messages ...)  It appeared to be ok.  I rebooted again with the latest kernel.  And it still presents me with a character screen.  The Xorg.0.log file remains the same.  (Earlier, I included the relevant text from that log.)

I'm back with my old kernel now.  I think your approach might be good, and all I need to know is how to uninstall the current driver.

-Mike

Mike Steele
Home Phone: (425) 776-4148
Cell Phone: (206) 713-5187
E-mail: <email address hidden>
Snail-mail:
4805 186th Pl SW
Lynnwood, WA 98037

________________________________
From: actionparsnip <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Tuesday, May 3, 2011 11:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Question #153005]: ubuntu 10.10 boots to character screen. Reboot with old kernel 2.6.32-25-generic

Your question #153005 on nvidia-graphics-drivers in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers/+question/153005

    Status: Open => Answered

actionparsnip proposed the following answer:
uninstalll the driver and reboot, this will use the open driver, you can
then boot to the new kernel and run:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-173

Reboot and it should be ok

--
If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
know that it is solved:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers/+question/153005/+confirm?answer_id=5

If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
following page to enter your feedback:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers/+question/153005

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Try:

sudo apt-get remove nvidia-current

(Also, when you post via email in Launchpad questions, please remove the text of other people's posts from the bottom of your post--it's very distracting and confusing for people using the web-based interface, which includes almost everyone who helps out with questions.))

Thanks Eliah.  Consider me properly admonished.  My Mother always told me I was thoughtless ...

So, here's what happened:
 * I ran the "apt-get remove" of nvidia-current.  Result:  Both new and old kernel start in character.
 * I ran "sudo apt-get purge nvidia-current" hoping to remove any configuration files.  Result:  As before, character.
 * I ran "sudo apt-get purge nvidia-173" hoping to come up with some base graphical driver.  Result: both new and old kernal hang in the splash screen.
 * Burned a new Ubuntu 11.04 cd and booted from that.  Result: I have a graphical screen.  I can mount my hard drive and wander around.
Here's what I'm considering:

 * Back up everything I can think of; attempt to list all the stuff to re-install; re-install Ubuntu; restore my stuff; re-install any packages I need.  (I've been told that Windows people do this as a matter of course.  But it's kind of humiliating to have to resort to this in Linux.)
 * Use chroot to make my mounted disk be the root directory and attempt to keep dinking with apt-get.  I don't know if this will work, but I could try installing nvidia-173 again.
Right now, I'm pretty hosed.  Even now, I'm emailing from my work computer.  And my wife keeps saying "Come over to the dark side ..."

Mike Steele

I had tried upgrading once my situation had devolved to the point where even my old kernel started coming up in character mode. Didn't help (didn't hurt, either). I forgot to mention that.

I've resigned myself to re-installing. I might note that even though the live CD is working, I don't have any of the graphical special effects.

So ... I guess I can say this "solved" my problem. Wish me luck on the re-install!