Hey Geoff,

It sounds like you're dual booting two copies of Ubuntu then which is very strange... unless you were upgrading from 18.04 to 22.04 and got half way through (perhaps leaving old and new entries in the GRUB menu, which I presume you're referring to - that's the menu that appears before either Ubuntu starts).

If you've got something like GParted installed then it might be worth sending over a pic (it'll show a diagram when opened) of what that looks like to be sure (by confirming how many partitions/filesystems you have, and of what type... it'd rule out if you're dual booting or not).

Do you remember trying an upgrade from 18.04 to anything newer?

Also, we've been going since 1999... so trust me when I say we have people on this list from ALL ages!

Helping out fellow Linux users is a core part of what a LUG should be about in my opinion, it certainly was when they were thought up back in the 90's.

Steven Maddox
Lantizia
On 03/10/2025 08:34, Geoff Whiles via StaffsLUG General wrote:
Hello Steven

Thank you for your reply. 

You are right it is 18.04 and also for some reason I also have 22.04 options. I am unable to upgrade from 22.04, and 18.04 is a separate version that I can open which shows files from that release. Confusing. However, and weirdly I have been able to boot both, separately. 

I have done what you have suggested and got a response that my Nividia module is not configured correctly. So I am going to explore how I can deal with it. 

Finally 2 points, to add to our conversation. Time to get your handkerchief out. I am 73, and I find this very difficult to understand and also please do tell me if I am a nuisance, I genuinely wont be offended.

Kind regards


Geoff


George Le_Wolf


On Wed, 1 Oct 2025 at 13:25, Steven Maddox via StaffsLUG General <general@lists.staffslug.org.uk> wrote:

Hey Geoff,

I'm guessing this is perhaps Ubuntu 18.04 or higher?  And perhaps you started to get this crash shortly after updating your kernel and/or graphics drivers/card?

Basically that last thing in the boot sequence (the 'GNOME Display Manager', or GDM) is the thing that starts up X.org (which is the process that runs the graphical environment)... and since you can still see text, that must not be working.

I'd advice rebooting into recovery mode and from the recovery menu there might be an option for something like 'failsafeX' or something like that... so that you can get back into the graphical environment with a safe low-end graphics mode to fix things.

Probably a DKMS module (e.g. if you use NVIDIA or AMD graphics) didn't get re-installed from your last kernel upgrade.

Let us know if how you get on, but that should point you in the right direction.

Also from your postcode, you'll probably find WolvesLUG more local if you need to reach out to someone who lives near by (we're happy to have you here too :P)

p.s. With you mentioning pubkey errors... that's likely (at a guess) something you're seeing with APT (or something that calls it, like whichever program you install software using) and probably just means you need to update your repo's... but it's probably not related to this issue.

Steven Maddox
Lantizia
On 01/10/2025 10:48, Geoff Whiles via StaffsLUG General wrote:

Hello,


I am a user of Ubuntu and have been since the release of 12.04. I have little understanding of the workings of Linux, though I have several heavyweight tutorials and I'm not afraid to use the Terminal. I use Ubuntu as a means to an end, in day to day home computing. Forgive the terminology, but I am neither a geek or programmer.


The system has completely crashed. Attached are several pics. I won't witter further, so as not to complicate my dilemma. I should add that I also get many pubkey errors, and also whilst booting, the whole system hangs and I have to hard break to shut down.



I hope that this message lands with someone who can dig me out of this almighty hole or maybe refer me to someone who might be able to help. And of course, I am happy to pay for any work undertaken.


Kind regards



Geoff Whiles


WS11 0GU

07711014256



Notes from my machine:


Select Boot Device


P1: ST3250820AS


P0: HFS128G3AMNB-2200A



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