Can't boot normally or into recovery mode (Ubuntu 18.04)

I have Ubuntu 18.04 running on my desktop. It has been working fine for months, but crashed today while playing a video game.

Now when I try to boot it gets stuck at the purple screen before the ubuntu logo or the login screen. Indeed I can't even boot in recovery mode! When I try to do so it freezes, and there is nothing particularly revealing (as far as I can tell) in the output before it freezes.

I can give more hardware/software details if needed. I do have a Nvidia graphics card and running Nvidia drivers, but they have been working perfectly up to this point.

Any help greatly appreciated.

edited Nov 7 '18 at 22:44

asked Nov 7 '18 at 22:33

tombird

add a comment |

I have Ubuntu 18.04 running on my desktop. It has been working fine for months, but crashed today while playing a video game.

I can give more hardware/software details if needed. I do have a Nvidia graphics card and running Nvidia drivers, but they have been working perfectly up to this point.

Any help greatly appreciated.

edited Nov 7 '18 at 22:44

asked Nov 7 '18 at 22:33

tombird

add a comment |

I have Ubuntu 18.04 running on my desktop. It has been working fine for months, but crashed today while playing a video game.

I can give more hardware/software details if needed. I do have a Nvidia graphics card and running Nvidia drivers, but they have been working perfectly up to this point.

Any help greatly appreciated.

edited Nov 7 '18 at 22:44

asked Nov 7 '18 at 22:33

tombird

I have Ubuntu 18.04 running on my desktop. It has been working fine for months, but crashed today while playing a video game.

I can give more hardware/software details if needed. I do have a Nvidia graphics card and running Nvidia drivers, but they have been working perfectly up to this point.

Any help greatly appreciated.

boot 18.04

edited Nov 7 '18 at 22:44

asked Nov 7 '18 at 22:33

tombird

edited Nov 7 '18 at 22:44

asked Nov 7 '18 at 22:33

tombird

edited Nov 7 '18 at 22:44

asked Nov 7 '18 at 22:33

tombird

asked Nov 7 '18 at 22:33

tombird

asked Nov 7 '18 at 22:33

tombird

add a comment |

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

Lets first check your file system for errors.

To check the file system on your Ubuntu partition...

boot to the GRUB menu

choose Advanced Options

choose Recovery mode

choose Root access

at the # prompt, type sudo fsck -f /

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

If for some reason you can't do the above...

boot to a Ubuntu Live DVD/USB

start gparted and determine which /dev/sdaX is your Ubuntu EXT4 partition

quit gparted

open a terminal window

type sudo fsck -f /dev/sdaX # replacing X with the number you found earlier

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

answered Nov 8 '18 at 0:51

heynnema

20.9k22259

I cannot boot (normally or into recovery mode), or even "try ubuntu without installing" from a USB. When I try and boot from USB there is some output but then it freezes, much like when I try and boot into recovery mode. The last two lines in the output before it freezes are "MODSIGN: Couldn't get UEFI db list" and then "Couldn't get size: <some memory address>". So I can't really even start to do the instructions you listed :(

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 19:50

Sounds like you've got a hardware problem. How much RAM do you have, in what configuration? Try booting the Ubuntu Live DVD/USB again, and see if you can start memtest. Run it for at least one complete pass. Report back to @heynnema

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 19:53

I have 1x8GB stick of RAM. There is no memtest option on either my normal GRUB menu or the Ubuntu USB. There is a "check disk for defects" but that results in the same freezing that happens when I try and run Ubuntu from USB. In fact I get the same problem when I try and install Ubuntu from USB, so I can't even reinstall it at this point!

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:04

@tombird Do you have another RAM stick that you could install? If not, try resetting your BIOS back to factory settings (you may need to come back later and turn off Secure Boot) and see if there's any change.

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 20:16

I don't have another RAM stick. The closest option to resetting my BIOS was "Load customised defaults", so I did that. Nothing has changed though. I had changed very little in the BIOS (maybe secure boot), so don't think resetting it changed that much. The only things I have within my control are the GRUB terminal, and changing the load parameters of Ubuntu (ie by pressing e at the GRUB menu). Is there something I could do there to help?

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:31

|
show 4 more comments

The story (sudden halt while gaming) sounds like it might be a hardware or temperature related problem.

Linux crashing for software reasons is extremely rare in my experience. Especially since 18.04 is of the high quality LTS variety, I think it unlikely.

You might want to start with cleaning the fans or just charging the battery or do some other hardware related maintenance.

If all else fails, try to see if booting a https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD works.

answered Feb 4 at 19:14

Henk van der Laak

54046

add a comment |

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2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

Lets first check your file system for errors.

To check the file system on your Ubuntu partition...

boot to the GRUB menu

choose Advanced Options

choose Recovery mode

choose Root access

at the # prompt, type sudo fsck -f /

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

If for some reason you can't do the above...

boot to a Ubuntu Live DVD/USB

start gparted and determine which /dev/sdaX is your Ubuntu EXT4 partition

quit gparted

open a terminal window

type sudo fsck -f /dev/sdaX # replacing X with the number you found earlier

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

answered Nov 8 '18 at 0:51

heynnema

20.9k22259

I cannot boot (normally or into recovery mode), or even "try ubuntu without installing" from a USB. When I try and boot from USB there is some output but then it freezes, much like when I try and boot into recovery mode. The last two lines in the output before it freezes are "MODSIGN: Couldn't get UEFI db list" and then "Couldn't get size: <some memory address>". So I can't really even start to do the instructions you listed :(

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 19:50

Sounds like you've got a hardware problem. How much RAM do you have, in what configuration? Try booting the Ubuntu Live DVD/USB again, and see if you can start memtest. Run it for at least one complete pass. Report back to @heynnema

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 19:53

I have 1x8GB stick of RAM. There is no memtest option on either my normal GRUB menu or the Ubuntu USB. There is a "check disk for defects" but that results in the same freezing that happens when I try and run Ubuntu from USB. In fact I get the same problem when I try and install Ubuntu from USB, so I can't even reinstall it at this point!

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:04

@tombird Do you have another RAM stick that you could install? If not, try resetting your BIOS back to factory settings (you may need to come back later and turn off Secure Boot) and see if there's any change.

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 20:16

I don't have another RAM stick. The closest option to resetting my BIOS was "Load customised defaults", so I did that. Nothing has changed though. I had changed very little in the BIOS (maybe secure boot), so don't think resetting it changed that much. The only things I have within my control are the GRUB terminal, and changing the load parameters of Ubuntu (ie by pressing e at the GRUB menu). Is there something I could do there to help?

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:31

|
show 4 more comments

Lets first check your file system for errors.

To check the file system on your Ubuntu partition...

boot to the GRUB menu

choose Advanced Options

choose Recovery mode

choose Root access

at the # prompt, type sudo fsck -f /

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

If for some reason you can't do the above...

boot to a Ubuntu Live DVD/USB

start gparted and determine which /dev/sdaX is your Ubuntu EXT4 partition

quit gparted

open a terminal window

type sudo fsck -f /dev/sdaX # replacing X with the number you found earlier

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

answered Nov 8 '18 at 0:51

heynnema

20.9k22259

I cannot boot (normally or into recovery mode), or even "try ubuntu without installing" from a USB. When I try and boot from USB there is some output but then it freezes, much like when I try and boot into recovery mode. The last two lines in the output before it freezes are "MODSIGN: Couldn't get UEFI db list" and then "Couldn't get size: <some memory address>". So I can't really even start to do the instructions you listed :(

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 19:50

Sounds like you've got a hardware problem. How much RAM do you have, in what configuration? Try booting the Ubuntu Live DVD/USB again, and see if you can start memtest. Run it for at least one complete pass. Report back to @heynnema

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 19:53

I have 1x8GB stick of RAM. There is no memtest option on either my normal GRUB menu or the Ubuntu USB. There is a "check disk for defects" but that results in the same freezing that happens when I try and run Ubuntu from USB. In fact I get the same problem when I try and install Ubuntu from USB, so I can't even reinstall it at this point!

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:04

@tombird Do you have another RAM stick that you could install? If not, try resetting your BIOS back to factory settings (you may need to come back later and turn off Secure Boot) and see if there's any change.

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 20:16

I don't have another RAM stick. The closest option to resetting my BIOS was "Load customised defaults", so I did that. Nothing has changed though. I had changed very little in the BIOS (maybe secure boot), so don't think resetting it changed that much. The only things I have within my control are the GRUB terminal, and changing the load parameters of Ubuntu (ie by pressing e at the GRUB menu). Is there something I could do there to help?

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:31

|
show 4 more comments

Lets first check your file system for errors.

To check the file system on your Ubuntu partition...

boot to the GRUB menu

choose Advanced Options

choose Recovery mode

choose Root access

at the # prompt, type sudo fsck -f /

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

If for some reason you can't do the above...

boot to a Ubuntu Live DVD/USB

start gparted and determine which /dev/sdaX is your Ubuntu EXT4 partition

quit gparted

open a terminal window

type sudo fsck -f /dev/sdaX # replacing X with the number you found earlier

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

answered Nov 8 '18 at 0:51

heynnema

20.9k22259

Lets first check your file system for errors.

To check the file system on your Ubuntu partition...

boot to the GRUB menu

choose Advanced Options

choose Recovery mode

choose Root access

at the # prompt, type sudo fsck -f /

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

If for some reason you can't do the above...

boot to a Ubuntu Live DVD/USB

start gparted and determine which /dev/sdaX is your Ubuntu EXT4 partition

quit gparted

open a terminal window

type sudo fsck -f /dev/sdaX # replacing X with the number you found earlier

repeat the fsck command if there were errors

type reboot

answered Nov 8 '18 at 0:51

heynnema

20.9k22259

answered Nov 8 '18 at 0:51

heynnema

20.9k22259

answered Nov 8 '18 at 0:51

heynnema

20.9k22259

answered Nov 8 '18 at 0:51

heynnema

20.9k22259

I cannot boot (normally or into recovery mode), or even "try ubuntu without installing" from a USB. When I try and boot from USB there is some output but then it freezes, much like when I try and boot into recovery mode. The last two lines in the output before it freezes are "MODSIGN: Couldn't get UEFI db list" and then "Couldn't get size: <some memory address>". So I can't really even start to do the instructions you listed :(

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 19:50

Sounds like you've got a hardware problem. How much RAM do you have, in what configuration? Try booting the Ubuntu Live DVD/USB again, and see if you can start memtest. Run it for at least one complete pass. Report back to @heynnema

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 19:53

I have 1x8GB stick of RAM. There is no memtest option on either my normal GRUB menu or the Ubuntu USB. There is a "check disk for defects" but that results in the same freezing that happens when I try and run Ubuntu from USB. In fact I get the same problem when I try and install Ubuntu from USB, so I can't even reinstall it at this point!

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:04

@tombird Do you have another RAM stick that you could install? If not, try resetting your BIOS back to factory settings (you may need to come back later and turn off Secure Boot) and see if there's any change.

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 20:16

I don't have another RAM stick. The closest option to resetting my BIOS was "Load customised defaults", so I did that. Nothing has changed though. I had changed very little in the BIOS (maybe secure boot), so don't think resetting it changed that much. The only things I have within my control are the GRUB terminal, and changing the load parameters of Ubuntu (ie by pressing e at the GRUB menu). Is there something I could do there to help?

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:31

|
show 4 more comments

I cannot boot (normally or into recovery mode), or even "try ubuntu without installing" from a USB. When I try and boot from USB there is some output but then it freezes, much like when I try and boot into recovery mode. The last two lines in the output before it freezes are "MODSIGN: Couldn't get UEFI db list" and then "Couldn't get size: <some memory address>". So I can't really even start to do the instructions you listed :(

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 19:50

Sounds like you've got a hardware problem. How much RAM do you have, in what configuration? Try booting the Ubuntu Live DVD/USB again, and see if you can start memtest. Run it for at least one complete pass. Report back to @heynnema

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 19:53

I have 1x8GB stick of RAM. There is no memtest option on either my normal GRUB menu or the Ubuntu USB. There is a "check disk for defects" but that results in the same freezing that happens when I try and run Ubuntu from USB. In fact I get the same problem when I try and install Ubuntu from USB, so I can't even reinstall it at this point!

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:04

@tombird Do you have another RAM stick that you could install? If not, try resetting your BIOS back to factory settings (you may need to come back later and turn off Secure Boot) and see if there's any change.

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 20:16

I don't have another RAM stick. The closest option to resetting my BIOS was "Load customised defaults", so I did that. Nothing has changed though. I had changed very little in the BIOS (maybe secure boot), so don't think resetting it changed that much. The only things I have within my control are the GRUB terminal, and changing the load parameters of Ubuntu (ie by pressing e at the GRUB menu). Is there something I could do there to help?

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:31

I cannot boot (normally or into recovery mode), or even "try ubuntu without installing" from a USB. When I try and boot from USB there is some output but then it freezes, much like when I try and boot into recovery mode. The last two lines in the output before it freezes are "MODSIGN: Couldn't get UEFI db list" and then "Couldn't get size: <some memory address>". So I can't really even start to do the instructions you listed :(

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 19:50

Sounds like you've got a hardware problem. How much RAM do you have, in what configuration? Try booting the Ubuntu Live DVD/USB again, and see if you can start memtest. Run it for at least one complete pass. Report back to @heynnema

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 19:53

I have 1x8GB stick of RAM. There is no memtest option on either my normal GRUB menu or the Ubuntu USB. There is a "check disk for defects" but that results in the same freezing that happens when I try and run Ubuntu from USB. In fact I get the same problem when I try and install Ubuntu from USB, so I can't even reinstall it at this point!

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:04

@tombird Do you have another RAM stick that you could install? If not, try resetting your BIOS back to factory settings (you may need to come back later and turn off Secure Boot) and see if there's any change.

– heynnema
Nov 8 '18 at 20:16

I don't have another RAM stick. The closest option to resetting my BIOS was "Load customised defaults", so I did that. Nothing has changed though. I had changed very little in the BIOS (maybe secure boot), so don't think resetting it changed that much. The only things I have within my control are the GRUB terminal, and changing the load parameters of Ubuntu (ie by pressing e at the GRUB menu). Is there something I could do there to help?

– tombird
Nov 8 '18 at 20:31

|
show 4 more comments

The story (sudden halt while gaming) sounds like it might be a hardware or temperature related problem.

Linux crashing for software reasons is extremely rare in my experience. Especially since 18.04 is of the high quality LTS variety, I think it unlikely.

You might want to start with cleaning the fans or just charging the battery or do some other hardware related maintenance.

If all else fails, try to see if booting a https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD works.

answered Feb 4 at 19:14

Henk van der Laak

54046

add a comment |

The story (sudden halt while gaming) sounds like it might be a hardware or temperature related problem.

Linux crashing for software reasons is extremely rare in my experience. Especially since 18.04 is of the high quality LTS variety, I think it unlikely.

You might want to start with cleaning the fans or just charging the battery or do some other hardware related maintenance.

If all else fails, try to see if booting a https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD works.

answered Feb 4 at 19:14

Henk van der Laak

54046

add a comment |

The story (sudden halt while gaming) sounds like it might be a hardware or temperature related problem.

Linux crashing for software reasons is extremely rare in my experience. Especially since 18.04 is of the high quality LTS variety, I think it unlikely.

You might want to start with cleaning the fans or just charging the battery or do some other hardware related maintenance.

If all else fails, try to see if booting a https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD works.

answered Feb 4 at 19:14

Henk van der Laak

54046

The story (sudden halt while gaming) sounds like it might be a hardware or temperature related problem.

Linux crashing for software reasons is extremely rare in my experience. Especially since 18.04 is of the high quality LTS variety, I think it unlikely.

You might want to start with cleaning the fans or just charging the battery or do some other hardware related maintenance.

If all else fails, try to see if booting a https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD works.

answered Feb 4 at 19:14

Henk van der Laak

54046

answered Feb 4 at 19:14

Henk van der Laak

54046

answered Feb 4 at 19:14

Henk van der Laak

54046

answered Feb 4 at 19:14

Henk van der Laak

54046

add a comment |

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