Ubuntu Crashes After Updates

torres-no-tan-magnifico · 19. Nov 2010, 10:08 PM

So far Ubuntu on my DT has been flawless (dual boot alongside XP), but I have problems on my Dell LT.

After a completely fresh install of Ubuntu 10.10 (no dual boot), I decided to check and install the latest updates. There were about 140MB in total and everything was installing fine until about 60% of the way through. The updates got stuck unpacking something called dkcms and the cancel button became greyed out.

As the system had crashed I switched off and rebooted. I then checked the Update Manager which showed just one small update left to install. Since then the PC will crash when it feels like it!

After creating a second account user and then logging into this a/c, I see only the login screen background ie no panels top or bottom. This normally happens if I am also logged on. The aforementioned scenario is also intermittent! When this happens I have no choice but to switch off my PC.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, other than my nearest pub, I'd be truly thankful!!

wdhpr · 20. Nov 2010, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torresmagnifico

So far Ubuntu on my DT has been flawless (dual boot alongside XP), but I have problems on my Dell LT.

After a completely fresh install of Ubuntu 10.10 (no dual boot), I decided to check and install the latest updates. There were about 140MB in total and everything was installing fine until about 60% of the way through. The updates got stuck unpacking something called dkcms and the cancel button became greyed out.

As the system had crashed I switched off and rebooted. I then checked the Update Manager which showed just one small update left to install. Since then the PC will crash when it feels like it!

After creating a second account user and then logging into this a/c, I see only the login screen background ie no panels top or bottom. This normally happens if I am also logged on. The aforementioned scenario is also intermittent! When this happens I have no choice but to switch off my PC.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, other than my nearest pub, I'd be truly thankful!!

If I was to take a guess at this. It appears that the updates process stalled for what ever reason and left you with a system missing files resulting in broken packages.

Have you tried to run the synaptic package installer? It should show if you have broken packages. Then you might be able to remove the broken packages and then try the update manager again.

This has never happened to me while updating but I have experienced broken packages using the apt-get command.

Good luck
wdhpr

MidnightCowboy · 20. Nov 2010, 06:42 AM

This could be relevant, depending on what your system details are:

http://ubuntu-ky.ubuntuforums.org/sh....php?t=1584684

torres-no-tan-magnifico · 20. Nov 2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdhpr

If I was to take a guess at this. It appears that the updates process stalled for what ever reason and left you with a system missing files resulting in broken packages.

Have you tried to run the synaptic package installer? It should show if you have broken packages. Then you might be able to remove the broken packages and then try the update manager again.

This has never happened to me while updating but I have experienced broken packages using the apt-get command.

Good luck
wdhpr

I have managed to open the synaptic package manager in safe mode. I ran a filter for broken packages but none showed up ie all the packages were installed fine.

When I clicked on the refresh icon, I got a short list of items in an error box that stated: Could not resolve gb.archive ubuntu.com. I presume this was because I was in safe mode and therefore, not connected to the Internet.

Not sure what to do next!

PS @MC thanks for the link but i don't think this relates to my problem, unless someone can tell me different!

Jeff91 · 30. Dec 2010, 04:12 AM

Howdy There,

If you can boot the system, get you get to a terminal login at least? If so - while you have an active internet connection (via a cable is the easiest). Try running the following:

Code:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -f install

Cheers,
~Jeff

torres-no-tan-magnifico · 30. Dec 2010, 05:47 PM

Thanks Jeff91,

Since starting this thread in Nov '10 I have since installed and uninstalled Ubuntu, Zorin and most recently Mint.

The main problem has been getting the O/S to recognise my wifi card even with the correct drivers installed.

See How can I install wireless drivers in Mint?

I am sticking with XP on my LT for now, at least it connects to the Internet!

Jeff91 · 30. Dec 2010, 11:43 PM

Do you still have something Ubuntu based installed on the system? If so getting your broadcom chipset working is typically as easy as obtaining a wired connection and then installing the b43-fwcutter package either via apt-get

Code:

sudo apt-get install b430fwcutter

or via Synaptic if you prefer a GUI. I've done this on more than a few systems

Honestly Broadcom is a total pain in the ass on Linux because their drivers are closed source. For all of my personal friends who have Broadcom chips I always recommend they go pick up an intel wireless card (normally less than 30$) and swap it out with the broadcom one, as Intel wifi works OOTB on most modern Linux distros as their drivers are packaged right in the kernel.

Cheers,
~Jeff

torres-no-tan-magnifico · 31. Dec 2010, 02:42 PM

Jeff91, I have already installed the b43-fwcutter in Mint via the SPM but that also failed. As I mentioned in my last post I am happy to stick with XP for now and so no longer have anything linux based on my LT.

Thanks for your input.

19. Nov 2010, 10:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
torres-no-tan-magnifico Copy Editor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 622	Ubuntu Crashes After Updates So far Ubuntu on my DT has been flawless (dual boot alongside XP), but I have problems on my Dell LT. After a completely fresh install of Ubuntu 10.10 (no dual boot), I decided to check and install the latest updates. There were about 140MB in total and everything was installing fine until about 60% of the way through. The updates got stuck unpacking something called dkcms and the cancel button became greyed out. As the system had crashed I switched off and rebooted. I then checked the Update Manager which showed just one small update left to install. Since then the PC will crash when it feels like it! After creating a second account user and then logging into this a/c, I see only the login screen background ie no panels top or bottom. This normally happens if I am also logged on. The aforementioned scenario is also intermittent! When this happens I have no choice but to switch off my PC. If anyone can point me in the right direction, other than my nearest pub, I'd be truly thankful!! __________________ Torres-no-tan-magnifico

20. Nov 2010, 06:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	This could be relevant, depending on what your system details are: http://ubuntu-ky.ubuntuforums.org/sh....php?t=1584684 __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

30. Dec 2010, 04:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jeff91 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 58	Howdy There, If you can boot the system, get you get to a terminal login at least? If so - while you have an active internet connection (via a cable is the easiest). Try running the following: Code: sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get -f install Cheers, ~Jeff

30. Dec 2010, 05:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
torres-no-tan-magnifico Copy Editor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 622	Thanks Jeff91, Since starting this thread in Nov '10 I have since installed and uninstalled Ubuntu, Zorin and most recently Mint. The main problem has been getting the O/S to recognise my wifi card even with the correct drivers installed. See How can I install wireless drivers in Mint? I am sticking with XP on my LT for now, at least it connects to the Internet! __________________ Torres-no-tan-magnifico

30. Dec 2010, 11:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jeff91 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 58	Do you still have something Ubuntu based installed on the system? If so getting your broadcom chipset working is typically as easy as obtaining a wired connection and then installing the b43-fwcutter package either via apt-get Code: sudo apt-get install b430fwcutter or via Synaptic if you prefer a GUI. I've done this on more than a few systems Honestly Broadcom is a total pain in the ass on Linux because their drivers are closed source. For all of my personal friends who have Broadcom chips I always recommend they go pick up an intel wireless card (normally less than 30$) and swap it out with the broadcom one, as Intel wifi works OOTB on most modern Linux distros as their drivers are packaged right in the kernel. Cheers, ~Jeff __________________ Bodhi Linux - Minimalistic & Enlightened - http://bodhilinux.com/

31. Dec 2010, 02:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
torres-no-tan-magnifico Copy Editor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 622	Jeff91, I have already installed the b43-fwcutter in Mint via the SPM but that also failed. As I mentioned in my last post I am happy to stick with XP for now and so no longer have anything linux based on my LT. Thanks for your input. __________________ Torres-no-tan-magnifico

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