Ubuntu

Ubuntu 15.04 update crashes my computer

Asked by wordsmyth2

Since installing Ubuntu 15.04 I've had constant problems with updates - the download stops and freezes at halfway and the screen also freezes. I've had to do a complete re-install twice, but with the current update my desktop has completely crashed. I can't reboot from the USB or the CD drive, nor can I boot Disk Repair. I haven't worked with GRUB, so I'm lost here - no files lost because I always save before an update, but I'm tearing my hair out because urgent work isn't getting done! Could anyone PLEASE tell me how to fix this??? I'm typing this on my trusty old Windows computer ....

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

Reboot the system and login. Then open a terminal and run:

sudo apt-get update

What is the full output please?

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#2

AP, my computer will NOT boot up anything, as stated in my message. Not from the hard drive, the USB or the CD. It's dead, mate. So I'm unable to follow your suggestion. Never had anything like this in all my seven years with Ubuntu or my ten with Windows. When I boot all I get is the GRUB screen. Following the prompt there, I click TAB and get a whole lotta terminal code - but which one should I use to help me out of this? None? I'm at my wit's end here and working to a deadline. Thanks for your prompt response - as always - but if (a) My Acer Aspire won't boot from the hard disk or the USB or the CD drive, it really IS dead. So if nothing else works is I'll (a) install Ubuntu as a dual boot with Windows on THIS computer (Toshiba laptop) and then (b) begin afresh - but NOT with 15.04 - surely I'll be safer with 14.04? Anyone else having problems with the former?) I press on, hopeful of a solution for this mess ...

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

If you hold SHIFT at boot, can you select an older kernel and boot that ?

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#4

Nope. Sill get the GRUB screen. Accompanying text says: "Minimal BASH_like line editing is supported. For the first word, TAB lists possible command completions. Anywhere else TAB lists possible device or file completions."

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#5

If boot attempts end up on a grub prompt, the recommended procedure is trying to boot into a live system by booting into an Ubuntu installer kit either on DVD or on a bootable USB stick.

Do you have an Ubuntu installation DVD or an installation USB stick that you can boot from?
You have to instruct the BIOS of the computer to boot from that device first (and not from the built-in hard disk).

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#6

Thanks Manfred, but as my message says, I'm unable to boot from hard drive, USB or CD and I've tried booting from a live system on a USB AND a CD, without success.

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#7

I am wondering if this could be a problem with my hard drive.

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#8

What happens if you try booting from an installer DVD or USB stick?

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#9

Manfred, see my above reply - can't boot from HD, CD/DVD, or USB port. I get GRUB screen from all inputs.

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#10

Hi, AP: After much trial and error, I finally got disk repair working and BINGO! Rebooted and removed Secure Boot from the BIOS, and rebooted again. Ubuntu began to load but stopped at a blank screen when selected. Rebooted again and this time selected the previous kernel and - I'm into Ubuntu. Much relief! I'll keep my laptop on suspend, pending advice on what I should do next, other than remain on this kernel. This was a very scary experience: thanks again for your help and suggestions.

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#11

For diagnostic purposes please provide the output of the following commands:

uname -a
lsb_release -crid
sudo dpkg --audit
dpkg -l | grep ' linux-i'
df -h

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#12

Ubuntu 15.04 working FINE using previous kernel, but not even Disk Repair can fix the current one. Just to repeat, this problem occurred when downloading a recent update and to clean-up my laptop, I'm re-installing Ubuntu 14.04LTS. This will be the second time I've done this recently and I won't update again until 16.04 arrives. Thanks for the help, guys, it helped me through this scenario. But really - an update crashing my computer? Not good ....