Ubuntu

System does not start frequently

Asked by KKevin901

Have switched to Ubuntu8.04 32 bits for about half years, it runs smoothly. In my W2k/Ubuntu machine, Ubuntu did checkdisk every 30 boots without problem until lately.

Lately this couple weeks, the system hangs during boot frequently. I did aware several fail messages, which I am not sure if they are related or not:
-- before go into graphic login screen. Red "X" at the upper left corner with text message like "cannot start GNOME..."
-- After type in login/PW to the login screen, screen go back to text mode and display some message like "cannot start X-window.....
-- display error messages and ask to run "fdsk" command manually..... After done, type "Ctl-D"..... Then, a long list of fix need to be answered "Y" to fixed manually.

Then do system reboot could be successful occassionally.

I rather prefer not to reinstall the 8.04 as there are many customizations (medibuntu, Open Office updates, browser add-on, application set ups). Would like to here advises to solve this unstable boot-up.

Thanks in advance.

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Sam_
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Best Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#1

Just 'out of a sudden' sounds to me like a hardware defect.
Or did you change anything, e.g. graphics driver/card?
And what was the result of fsck?
Please check
/var/log/fsck/checkfs

Example:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/67354

Reinstallation is no problem when /home is on a separate partition or just make a backup NOW.
In case:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DataRecovery

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KKevin901 (kkevin901) said : 		#2

Thanks Sam, that solved my question.

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KKevin901 (kkevin901) said : 		#3

There was not any hardware change since after I have Ubuntu8.04.

I trend to believe hardware defect. In that PC box, I have two heavily used 40G harddisks. 2k/Ubuntu installed in master hd and OpenSuse10 in slave hd. From time to time during boot, the system does not recognize master hd. I have to go to BIOS setting to to re-scan hardware.

Thanks for Sam's advise.