Score:0

Ubuntu - my computer boots to a blank screen with a prompt after Updates

ml flag

After installing updates, Ubuntu boots to a blank screen with a non-blinking underscore on the upper left (Lenovo ThinkBook).

What I've tried:

  • I'm able to get into recovery mode, access root and read logs, but I'm not sure where to look to start fixing it and what might be the issue.
  • I've also tried booting using a previous kernel, but the outcome is the same.
  • I've tried to disable X at boot time so it boots in text mode, but with no luck.

I've added a few screenshots with everything I see until I get to the blank screen, where it freezes.

I'm not sure how to go about debugging this, can you help me?

Link to first screenshot

Link to second screenshot

Link to third screenshot

Raffles avatar
in flag
What version of Ubuntu is it and are you able to boot into a live session?
Dan123 avatar
ml flag
Thank you for your reply! I was able to boot a live session from a USB stick and I have Ubuntu version 22.10.
Score:0
in flag

Please try Boot-Repair as explained in the Ubuntu documentation here.

Dan123 avatar
ml flag
Thank you, it solved my problem! By using Boot-Repair I got an error with partition full. Turns out that after the updates I was left with no available space and I did not get any error for this.
Score:0
ca flag

A less invasive action to take as /boot/ is full
(the most common cause as it seems)...

Boot into recovery mode, then do...

$ dpkg --list |  grep -E "^ii.*linux-image"  # find out which ones are installed
ii  linux-image-5.13.0-52-generic                 5.13.0-52.59~20.04.1                       amd64        Signed kernel image generic

$ uname -rv                        # Check which kernel version you have running
5.13.0-52-generic #59~20.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Thu Jun 16 21:21:28 UTC 2022

$ sudo apt purge linux-image-OTHER-THAN-uname-ABOVE  # remove those not in use
[sudo] password for hannu: 
...

For each kernel you remove you will be freeing space.

Note that: linux-image (above) will limit the purge-able list to only kernels, change image to (image|headers|modules) and you will also see related packages
where the ones with FULLY MATCHING VERSION (to an image to be purged) also can be purged.

The last might actually happen by a simple:

$ sudo apt autoremove
[sudo] password for hannu:           
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
...
... upgraded, ... newly installed, ... to remove and ... not upgraded.

$ 
I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

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