Hey Geoff,
I've only just noticed you replied last week. Basically if you send anything too big then it won't get sent to anyone and just get stuck for an admin to look at! Really it would be better for you to resize down any photos directly from your camera/phone (as they're too huge for email! and a copy gets sent to everyone on the mailing list too, making it even worse!).
I've dug out of the server your last two stuck messages and put
them below (along with sized down pics)... so that everyone can
see the problem.
But essentially it looks like you're got THREE copies of Ubuntu... one on one hard disk, and two on a completely different hard disk.
You could really do with someone who can help you get any files you need out of all of them... and then perhaps keep the Ubuntu 23.04 install? maybe upgrading it to 24.04 at the very least (or perhaps just keep whichever install feels most like you're familiar with, and upgrade that?).
My guess is that every time you thought to upgrade... that perhaps you installed a fresh copy from USB pen (or DVD) and chose to 'Install alongside' ? But that's only a guess.
Does anyone live near Cannock that could give Geoff a hand? I
don't even drive!
Steven Maddox Lantizia
Hello Steven. Hope you have had a good weekend and all is good with you.
I'm beginning to learn more and more as a result of these conversations! I would like to add that you are giving me a lot of your time, and I really appreciate it. I am very grateful, but don't be shy to tell me to go away, if I annoy youI will not be offended. I know as much about Linux as a loaf of bread does.
I have GParted and taken pics with my phone and have uploaded them here.
So, The pictures are attached but I am certain that somewhere along the journey of providing them, I spotted a version of 16.04. I have not been able to replicate where I have seen that though.
Finally I really appreciate all the help, it's really difficult to try to sort out the problem by myself and I have been unable to find anyone commercially who understands or is familiar with Linux.
I hope the attachments are meaningful. I am happy to travel, wherever to get my desktop back up and running again.
Kind regards.
Geoff Whiles
Steven Maddox Lantizia
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 LantiziaOn 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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