Ubuntu

Hung in BusyBox after updates for Ubuntu 7.10

Asked by Jim Brassell

After struggling with 64-bit 8.04, I installed 32-bit 7.10 from a Mark Sobell book on Ubuntu Linux. The install went great and I got my Nvidia graphics and NETGEAR wg111v2 USB NIC to work fine. When I went into the Updates Manager, it produced a list of 243 recommended updates and I elected to download them. The downloads took over three hours and went immediately into install after the download. The installs completed successfully, based on the messages at the end of the install. I restarted Ubuntu and selected the first Ubuntu version GRUB presented. The reboot hung in BusyBox. A message right before the BusyBox message indicates it cannot locate a file. I can't see much in syslog or messages as the boot never gets far enough for the logger to start. What I see at the GRUB page is a new kernal version, 15, but there is no .386 version. The 14 kernal in the .386 version boots fine and all apps work as before the updates. The point that the hang occurs leaves me in an init stage with only shell commands, so I can't run any utilities.

My initial solution is to remove all the 15 kernal version files from the /boot directory and update menu.lst, removing all the 15 kernal version references. I really need some advice on how to overcome the problem. Thanks.

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marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#1

Please give more info:

A) Have you a good net connection to download needed updates...?

B) Open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and copy and paste the result of the command below, please type:

sudo dpkg -l | grep -i kernel

Please give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

C) Copy and paste the content of your /boot/grub/menu.lst here, please type:

gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

D) Copy and paste the result of:

uname -a

Thank you

Revision history for this message
Jim Brassell (jimbrass) said : 		#2

Thanks for the quick response, Marco.

A. Yes, connection is good.

B.

Output from dpkg:

ii kernel-package 11.001 A utility for building Linux kernel related
ii kernel-wedge 2.29ubuntu2 udeb package builder for Debian-Installer
ii klogd 1.4.1-21ubuntu3 Kernel Logging Daemon
ii libdevmapper1.02.1 2:1.02.20-1ubuntu4 The Linux Kernel Device Mapper userspace lib
ii libdrm2 2.3.0-4ubuntu1 Userspace interface to kernel DRM services -
ii linux-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Complete Generic Linux kernel
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14 2.6.22-14.52 Header files related to Linux kernel version
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on i
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-generic 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-virtual 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-15 2.6.22-15.54 Header files related to Linux kernel version
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Generic Linux kernel headers
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on i38
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-generic 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-virtual 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-15-virtual 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-debug-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel debug image for version 2.6.22
ii linux-image-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Generic Linux kernel image
ii linux-image-virtual 2.6.22.15.22 Linux kernel image geared towards virtualise
ii linux-kernel-devel 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel hacking dependencies
ii linux-libc-dev 2.6.22-15.54 Linux Kernel Headers for development
ii linux-restricted-modules-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Restricted Linux modules for generic kernels
ii module-init-tools 3.3-pre4-2ubuntu4 tools for managing Linux kernel modules
ii nvidia-kernel-common 20051028+1ubuntu7 NVIDIA binary kernel module common files
ii udev 113-0ubuntu17 rule-based device node and kernel event mana

menu.lst:

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,2)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-15-virtual
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-15-virtual root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-15-virtual
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-15-virtual (recovery mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-15-virtual root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-15-virtual

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-15-generic
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-15-generic root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-15-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-15-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-15-generic root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-15-generic

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-386
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-386 root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-386
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-386 (recovery mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-386 root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-386

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-virtual
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-virtual root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-virtual
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-virtual (recovery mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-virtual root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-virtual

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=95b466e0-c36e-482e-98c7-1ec89107e083 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic

title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Windows XP Media Center Edition
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda2
title Windows NT/2000/XP
root (hd0,1)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

uname -a:

Linux jim-desktop 2.6.22-14-386 #1 Tue Feb 12 07:12:19 UTC 2008 i686 GNU/Linux

Revision history for this message
Jim Brassell (jimbrass) said : 		#3

Hopefully, this will be more readable. Output from dpkg:

ii kernel-package 11.001 A utility for building Linux kernel related
ii kernel-wedge 2.29ubuntu2 udeb package builder for Debian-Installer
ii klogd 1.4.1-21ubuntu3 Kernel Logging Daemon
ii libdevmapper1.02.1 2:1.02.20-1ubuntu4 The Linux Kernel Device Mapper userspace lib
ii libdrm2 2.3.0-4ubuntu1 Userspace interface to kernel DRM services -
ii linux-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Complete Generic Linux kernel
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14 2.6.22-14.52 Header files related to Linux kernel version
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on i
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-generic 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-virtual 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-15 2.6.22-15.54 Header files related to Linux kernel version
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Generic Linux kernel headers
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on i38
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-generic 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-virtual 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-15-virtual 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-debug-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel debug image for version 2.6.22
ii linux-image-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Generic Linux kernel image
ii linux-image-virtual 2.6.22.15.22 Linux kernel image geared towards virtualise
ii linux-kernel-devel 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel hacking dependencies
ii linux-libc-dev 2.6.22-15.54 Linux Kernel Headers for development
ii linux-restricted-modules-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Restricted Linux modules for generic kernels
ii module-init-tools 3.3-pre4-2ubuntu4 tools for managing Linux kernel modules
ii nvidia-kernel-common 20051028+1ubuntu7 NVIDIA binary kernel module common files
ii udev 113-0ubuntu17 rule-based device node and kernel event mana

Revision history for this message
Jim Brassell (jimbrass) said : 		#4

Hopefully, this will be more readable. Output from dpkg:

ii kernel-package 11.001 A utility for building Linux kernel related
ii kernel-wedge 2.29ubuntu2 udeb package builder for Debian-Installer
ii klogd 1.4.1-21ubuntu3 Kernel Logging Daemon
ii libdevmapper1.02.1 2:1.02.20-1ubuntu4 The Linux Kernel Device Mapper userspace lib
ii libdrm2 2.3.0-4ubuntu1 Userspace interface to kernel DRM services -
ii linux-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Complete Generic Linux kernel
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14 2.6.22-14.52 Header files related to Linux kernel version
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on i
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-generic 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-14-virtual 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-15 2.6.22-15.54 Header files related to Linux kernel version
ii linux-headers-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.22 on x
ii linux-headers-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Generic Linux kernel headers
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on i38
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-generic 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-14-virtual 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-2.6.22-15-virtual 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86
ii linux-image-debug-2.6.22-14-386 2.6.22-14.52 Linux kernel debug image for version 2.6.22
ii linux-image-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Generic Linux kernel image
ii linux-image-virtual 2.6.22.15.22 Linux kernel image geared towards virtualise
ii linux-kernel-devel 2.6.22-15.54 Linux kernel hacking dependencies
ii linux-libc-dev 2.6.22-15.54 Linux Kernel Headers for development
ii linux-restricted-modules-generic 2.6.22.15.22 Restricted Linux modules for generic kernels
ii module-init-tools 3.3-pre4-2ubuntu4 tools for managing Linux kernel modules
ii nvidia-kernel-common 20051028+1ubuntu7 NVIDIA binary kernel module common files
ii udev 113-0ubuntu17 rule-based device node and kernel event mana

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#5

First be sure your system is fully upgraded:

Please open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get clean

Please give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

Please tell me if you get any kernel update...

Thank you

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#6

Then reinstall the linux-image-2.6.22-15-generic and after we remove it in a good way.

Please open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get --reinstall install linux-image-2.6.22-15-generic linux-image-virtual

Please give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

Then to remove it, simply type:

sudo apt-get --purge remove linux-image-2.6.22-15-generic

Then we install the .386 kernel, type:

sudo apt-get install linux-image-2.6.22-15-386

Then reboot your pc and select the linux-image-2.6.22-15-386 at boot and if it works remove the linux-image-2.6.22-14-386, type:

sudo apt-get --purge remove linux-image-2.6.22-14-386

Report any errors here

Thank you

Revision history for this message
Jim Brassell (jimbrass) said : 		#7

For the first task, there were no errors and no kernal update.

For the second task, this allowed me to successfully boot into the -15-386 kernal version. However, I had to manually load a restricted modules package for the Nvidia video card and I had to reinstall ndiswrapper. All seems OK now, but I have not been able to resolve problems with audio. Being new to Linux, I am not sure where to look for the problem. I am looking at the Synaptic Package Manager and making sure everything installed for -14-386 is also installed for -15-386. Otherwise, shooting in the dark. I have not removed the -14-386 kernal yet.

Thanks for all your help, Marco. I think the correct Italian is 'mil grazi'.

Regards,

Jim

Revision history for this message
Jim Brassell (jimbrass) said : 		#8

In /lib/modules/2.6.22-14-386, there is a 'ubuntu' subdirectory which contains the driver for my soundcard. The 2.6.22-15-386 subdirectory does not contain a 'ubuntu' subdirectory. Not sure what to reinstall or what directives to use. That is why my sound is not working.

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#9

Please open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install linux-ubuntu-modules-$(uname -r)

give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

Then reboot your pc.

Hope this helps...

Then some common checks for audio issue:

Audio trouble with Ubuntu 8.04 some common checks

-- If you are using a laptop, your laptop may have a keyboard function to manipulate your sound.
   Check that. Your laptop may have a keyboard control to mute, increase and decrease sound.
-- Please check your sound devices volumes are to a high level double click on the top right loudspeaker icon you will see a mixer
-- Please make common test from menu System->Preferences->Sounds
   if you are using PulseAudio please read: http://www.pulseaudio.org/wiki/PerfectSetup or try if using ALSA things go better
-- If you have two audio cards - please disable the on board audio card using BIOS setting, please check with this terminal command:

   lspci | grep -i audio

-- Please be sure your pc are starting with the generic kernel press ESC at boot when you see the GRUB row then select the "kernel.... - generic" row
-- Please be sure all needed kernel modules are installed to make this check and install them:
  So open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install linux-ubuntu-modules-$(uname -r)

give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

Then reboot your pc.

-- Be sure your user is member of audio group
Then open a Terminal from the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal and type:

sudo adduser $(who am i | cut -d" " -f 1) audio
sudo chmod 660 /dev/snd/*

give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

-- Please try to watch what audio cards are detected on your system please type:
asoundconf list

if more than one sound cards is detected by your system to set the default soundcard

asoundconf set-default-card PARAMETER

change PARAMETER with the name of a one detected sound card

-- Please try to delete making a backup copy of this conf files
mv .asoundrc .asoundrc_old
mv .asoundrc.asoundconf .asoundrc.asoundconf.old
sudo mv /etc/asound.conf /etc/asound.conf.old

Please take a look at this http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=205449

-- Please try to discover if there are any process they are keeping the /dev/dsp locked
ps -edalf | grep -i dsp

kill them using this command:

kill -9 number_of_pid

---------

If you microphone seems don't record your voice please open a terminal and type

alsamixer

and press tab to switch in view to [Capture] section, and then pressing space on mic and mic boost aid

If you are using Pulseaudio and you have some sound issue with sound apps please read http://www.pulseaudio.org/wiki/PerfectSetup
and this http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4928900

Hope this helps

Revision history for this message
Jim Brassell (jimbrass) said : 		#10

Thanks, Marco. That did it. Installing the Ubuntu 2.6.22-15-386 modules fixed the problem. I very much appreciate all your help. Your expertise is invaluable.