[SOLVED] Cannot login after update

[ajt]

Hello,

I have just done an update 0200 UTC 8th Oct, and I am presuming this is what caused my current login problem.

Reboot drops to a command line prompt:
Enter username: and password.
Entry in these fields then drops to Grub. Any input on either line …
Linux Mint 20.2 Cinnamon
Advanced options for .. etc.
… drops back to the original Username: prompt.

Any ideas welcome.

BRgds/Alan

[karlchen]

Hello, ajt.

Could you perhaps take one or two photoes, which illustrate what you try to explain in your initial post?
In case you do, please, upload the image files to a free file hoster like e.g. imgbb.com or imgur.com and share the links to the uploaded photoes with us. They will help understand better what happens and hopefully what the cause might be.

Regards,
Karl

[ajt]

Thanks Karl,

https://ibb.co/album/HDWtxj
Sort by Oldest to get the correct order.

First Pic (6-CA) is the first screen I see. Password fails (has not been changed) and it then goes to the Second Pic (CCC). Whatever I do on this screen, it drops back to pic 3 (C94). This is slightly different to the initial screen (no failed verification notification), but same result, after username/password it goes back to the same Grub screen with the same result.

BRgds/Alan

[ajt]

I am guessing this is a kernel and/or .img file problem.
Boot from a usb, then mount root, then tell grub to boot using other files ?
Problem is, apt-get autoremove may have deleted them, and I am not sure of the exact process ?

The password failure symptom could be caused by the same thing ?

Any ideas appreciated.

Cheers/ Alan

[mikeflan]

So you have only LM 20.2 on this machine?

I have just done an update 0200 UTC 8th Oct, and I am presuming this is what caused my current login problem.

It wouldn't hurt to try a Timeshift back after live booting into LM 20.2, even though this is happening very early in the boot process, so Timeshift may not help. You can always Timeshift back to where you are.

While you are in the LM 20.2 live boot type this in a terminal:

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxxxrz

Post the output to this forum in "Code" tags. The button that inserts these tags is marked </>, which is in the mini toolbar above the edit box where you type your reply.

I guess you could try sudo update-grub in a terminal also, but this is perhaps not a Grub problem.

[ajt]

Hi,

Yes, only Mint 20.2
I cannot run anything at present. As the pics show, even Grub will not run anything, any entry there drops straight back to a command line “username” prompt.

Alan

[SMG]

I cannot run anything at present.

You are not able to use your Mint install usb/dvd and boot to a live session of Mint?

If you have any Timeshift snapshots you can revert to them using Timeshift on the live session. Boot repair is also available on the live session.

[ajt]

Progress (maybe) so far …

Ran timeshift from the Live USB, still would not boot.
Ran Boot Repair from the live USB.
I can see the files in the partitions, but it still won’t boot.
Boot attempts go straight to “Missing operating system”

I can see what looks like a broken symlink to initrd.img

BRgds/Alan

[ajt]

PS
I have separate / and /boot partitions …

[SMG]

Progress (maybe) so far …

Ran timeshift from the Live USB, still would not boot.
Ran Boot Repair from the live USB.
I can see the files in the partitions, but it still won’t boot.
Boot attempts go straight to “Missing operating system”

I can see what looks like a broken symlink to initrd.img

BRgds/Alan

What kind of output did you get from Boot Repair? It usually gives a log with a lot of information.

Also, please give us the output of inxi -Fxxxz so we have some type of idea of the hardware and how Mint sees it.

Edited to fix misspelling.

[ajt]

Thanks very much, inxi output follows:

Code: Select all

mint@mint:~$ sudo inxi -Fxxxz
System:
  Kernel: 5.4.0-26-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 4.6.6 wm: muffin 4.6.2 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 
  Distro: Linux Mint 20 Ulyana base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop Mobo: Gigabyte model: H97N-WIFI v: x.x serial: N/A 
  UEFI: American Megatrends v: F8 date: 08/03/2015 
CPU:
  Topology: Quad Core model: Intel Core i7-4790 bits: 64 type: MT MCP 
  arch: Haswell rev: 3 L1 cache: 256 KiB L2 cache: 8192 KiB 
  L3 cache: 8192 KiB 
  flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx 
  bogomips: 57468 
  Speed: 1197 MHz min/max: 800/4000 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1198 2: 1198 
  3: 1198 4: 1197 5: 1197 6: 1198 7: 1199 8: 1199 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core Processor Integrated Graphics 
  vendor: Gigabyte driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:0412 
  Display: server: X.Org 1.20.8 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa 
  resolution: 3840x2160~30Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 4600 (HSW GT2) 
  v: 4.5 Mesa 20.0.4 compat-v: 3.0 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core Processor HD Audio 
  driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:03.0 chip ID: 8086:0c0c 
  Device-2: Intel 9 Series Family HD Audio vendor: Gigabyte 
  driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 chip ID: 8086:8ca0 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-26-generic 
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Ethernet I217-V vendor: Gigabyte driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k 
  port: f080 bus ID: 00:19.0 chip ID: 8086:153b 
  IF: eno1 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter> 
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet 
  vendor: Gigabyte driver: r8169 v: kernel port: e000 bus ID: 02:00.0 
  chip ID: 10ec:8168 
  IF: enp2s0 state: down mac: <filter> 
  Device-3: Intel Wireless 7260 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel port: e000 
  bus ID: 03:00.0 chip ID: 8086:08b1 
  IF: wlp3s0 state: down mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 2.06 TiB used: 177.88 GiB (8.4%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: SSD 840 EVO 250GB size: 232.89 GiB 
  speed: 6.0 Gb/s serial: <filter> rev: CB6Q scheme: MBR 
  ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: Western Digital model: WD2000FYYZ-01UL1B2 
  size: 1.82 TiB speed: 6.0 Gb/s rotation: 7200 rpm serial: <filter> 
  rev: 1K03 temp: 39 C scheme: MBR 
  ID-3: /dev/sdc type: USB vendor: Kingston model: DataTraveler 3.0 
  size: 14.65 GiB serial: <filter> rev: PMAP scheme: MBR 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 3.82 GiB used: 159.6 MiB (4.1%) fs: overlay source: ERR-102 
  ID-2: swap-1 size: 19.07 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sdb1 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 34.0 C mobo: N/A 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Info:
  Processes: 225 Uptime: 16h 43m Memory: 7.63 GiB used: 767.0 MiB (9.8%) 
  Init: systemd v: 245 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 
  Shell: bash (sudo) v: 5.0.16 running in: gnome-terminal inxi: 3.0.38 
mint@mint:~$ 

[ajt]

Timeshift is run with the following (Advanced) Bootloader Options:
* Reinstall GRUB2 to sda MBR (which is the disk that contains both / and /boot partitions)
* Update initramfs selected (in the latest attempt. I have tried it both ways)
* Update GRUB menu selected

Time shift says "Restore completed with errors", but the logfile is attached below - I can't see anything significant ?

Code: Select all

[02:58:42] Session log file: /var/log/timeshift/2021-10-19_02-58-42_gui.log
[02:58:42] Distribution: LinuxMint 20 (ulyana)
[02:58:42] DIST_ID: LinuxMint
[02:58:42] Main: check_dependencies()
[02:58:42] Main: add_default_exclude_entries()
[02:58:42] Main: add_default_exclude_entries(): exit
[02:58:42] update_partitions()
[02:58:42] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:42] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 1
[02:58:42] Device: get_filesystems(): 16
[02:58:42] partition list updated
[02:58:42] detect_system_devices()
[02:58:42] Searching subvolume for system at path: /
[02:58:42] Users: root
[02:58:42] Encrypted home users: 
[02:58:42] Encrypted home dirs:

[02:58:42] Encrypted private dirs:

[02:58:42] Main: load_app_config()
[02:58:42] First run mode (config file not found)
[02:58:42] Selected default snapshot type: RSYNC
[02:58:42] Member not found in JSON object: include_btrfs_home_for_restore
[02:58:42] Member not found in JSON object: btrfs_use_qgroup
[02:58:42] Member not found in JSON object: date_format
[02:58:42] App config loaded: /etc/timeshift.json
[02:58:42] IconManager: init()
[02:58:42] bin_path: /usr/bin/timeshift-gtk
[02:58:42] found images directory: /usr/share/timeshift/images
[02:58:42] Main(): ok
[02:58:42] Main: initialize_repo()
[02:58:42] backup_uuid=
[02:58:42] backup_parent_uuid=
[02:58:42] try_select_default_device_for_backup()
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:42] device is null
[02:58:42] is_available: false
[02:58:42] update_partitions()
[02:58:42] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:42] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 1
[02:58:42] Device: get_filesystems(): 16
[02:58:42] partition list updated
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: from_device(): RSYNC
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: init_from_device()
[02:58:42] 
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: unlock_and_mount_devices()
[02:58:42] device=/dev/sda1
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: unlock_and_mount_device()
[02:58:42] device=/dev/sda1
[02:58:42] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 1
[02:58:42] ------------------
[02:58:42] arg=6ce9da11-452a-48e0-8a78-b6e887fd2f64, device=/dev/sda1
[02:58:42] ------------------
[02:58:42] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 1
[02:58:42] Mounted '/dev/sda1' at '/run/timeshift/backup'
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: load_snapshots()
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: unlock_and_mount_device(): exit
[02:58:42] Selected snapshot device: /dev/sda1
[02:58:42] Free space: 0 B
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: check_status()
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:42] is_available: ok
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: has_snapshots()
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: has_space()
[02:58:42] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:42] no snapshots
[02:58:42] Snapshot device: '/dev/sda1'
[02:58:42] Snapshot location: /run/timeshift/backup
[02:58:42] No snapshots on this device
[02:58:42] First snapshot requires: 0 B
[02:58:42] Status: NO_SNAPSHOTS_HAS_SPACE
[02:58:42] 
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: check_status(): exit
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: init_from_device(): exit
[02:58:42] Selected default snapshot device: /dev/sda1
[02:58:42] Main: initialize_repo(): exit
[02:58:42] MainWindow: MainWindow()
[02:58:42] SnapshotListBox: SnapshotListBox()
[02:58:42] SnapshotListBox: SnapshotListBox(): exit
[02:58:42] MainWindow: MainWindow(): exit
[02:58:42] MainWindow(): init_delayed()
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:42] is_available: ok
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:42] is_available: ok
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: load_snapshots()
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: check_status()
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:42] is_available: ok
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: has_snapshots()
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: has_space()
[02:58:42] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:42] no snapshots
[02:58:42] Snapshot device: '/dev/sda1'
[02:58:42] Snapshot location: /run/timeshift/backup
[02:58:42] No snapshots on this device
[02:58:42] First snapshot requires: 0 B
[02:58:42] Status: NO_SNAPSHOTS_HAS_SPACE
[02:58:42] 
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: check_status(): exit
[02:58:42] SnapshotRepo: has_snapshots()
[02:58:42] MainWindow: btn_wizard_clicked()
[02:58:42] SetupWizardWindow: SetupWizardWindow()
[02:58:42] Setting schedule_daily for first run
[02:58:42] SnapshotBackendBox: SnapshotBackendBox()
[02:58:42] SnapshotBackendBox: SnapshotBackendBox(): exit
[02:58:42] EstimateBox: EstimateBox()
[02:58:42] EstimateBox: EstimateBox(): exit
[02:58:42] BackupDeviceBox: BackupDeviceBox()
[02:58:42] BackupDeviceBox: BackupDeviceBox(): exit
[02:58:42] ScheduleBox: ScheduleBox()
[02:58:42] ScheduleBox: ScheduleBox(): exit
[02:58:42] ExcludeBox: ExcludeBox()
[02:58:42] ExcludeBox: ExcludeBox(): exit
[02:58:42] UsersBox: UsersBox()
[02:58:42] treeview_add_item(): /root/**
[02:58:42] UsersBox: UsersBox(): exit
[02:58:42] FinishBox: FinishBox()
[02:58:42] FinishBox: FinishBox(): exit
[02:58:42] SetupWizardWindow: SetupWizardWindow(): exit
[02:58:42] MainWindow(): init_delayed(): exit
[02:58:42] 
[02:58:42] page: 0
[02:58:44] 
[02:58:44] page: 1
[02:58:44] EstimateBox: thread started
[02:58:44] estimate_system_size()
[02:58:44] EstimateBox: thread finished
[02:58:44] 
[02:58:44] page: 2
[02:58:44] update_partitions()
[02:58:44] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 2
[02:58:44] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 2
[02:58:44] Device: get_filesystems(): 16
[02:58:44] partition list updated
[02:58:44] SnapshotRepo: check_status()
[02:58:44] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:44] is_available: ok
[02:58:44] SnapshotRepo: has_snapshots()
[02:58:44] SnapshotRepo: has_space()
[02:58:44] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:44] no snapshots
[02:58:44] Snapshot device: '/dev/sda1'
[02:58:44] Snapshot location: /run/timeshift/backup
[02:58:44] No snapshots on this device
[02:58:44] First snapshot requires: 0 B
[02:58:44] Status: NO_SNAPSHOTS_HAS_SPACE
[02:58:44] 
[02:58:44] SnapshotRepo: check_status(): exit
[02:58:46] try_change_device: /dev/sdb6
[02:58:46] 

[02:58:46] selected device: /dev/sdb6
[02:58:46] fstype: ext4
[02:58:46] SnapshotRepo: from_device(): RSYNC
[02:58:46] SnapshotRepo: init_from_device()
[02:58:46] 
[02:58:46] SnapshotRepo: unlock_and_mount_devices()
[02:58:46] device=/dev/sdb6
[02:58:46] SnapshotRepo: unlock_and_mount_device()
[02:58:46] device=/dev/sdb6
[02:58:46] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 2
[02:58:46] ------------------
[02:58:46] arg=dcdabfc0-5e34-4092-a1bb-17ffd7a73f71, device=/dev/sdb6
[02:58:46] ------------------
[02:58:46] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 2
[02:58:46] Unmounting from: '/run/timeshift/backup'
[02:58:46] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 1
[02:58:46] Mounted '/dev/sdb6' at '/run/timeshift/backup'
[02:58:46] SnapshotRepo: load_snapshots()
[02:58:50] loading snapshots from '/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots': 69 found
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: unlock_and_mount_device(): exit
[02:58:50] Selected snapshot device: /dev/sdb6
[02:58:50] Free space: 0 B
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: check_status()
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:50] is_available: ok
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: has_snapshots()
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: has_space()
[02:58:50] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:50] Snapshot device: '/dev/sdb6'
[02:58:50] Snapshot location: /run/timeshift/backup
[02:58:50] OK
[02:58:50] 69 snapshots, 751.0 GB free
[02:58:50] Status: HAS_SNAPSHOTS_HAS_SPACE
[02:58:50] 
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: check_status(): exit
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: init_from_device(): exit
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: check_status()
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:50] is_available: ok
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: has_snapshots()
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: has_space()
[02:58:50] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:50] Snapshot device: '/dev/sdb6'
[02:58:50] Snapshot location: /run/timeshift/backup
[02:58:50] OK
[02:58:50] 69 snapshots, 751.0 GB free
[02:58:50] Status: HAS_SNAPSHOTS_HAS_SPACE
[02:58:50] 
[02:58:50] SnapshotRepo: check_status(): exit
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:52] is_available: ok
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: has_space()
[02:58:52] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:52] Main: save_app_config()
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:52] is_available: ok
[02:58:52] App config saved: /etc/timeshift.json
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: load_snapshots()
[02:58:52] loading snapshots from '/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots': 69 found
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:52] is_available: ok
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: load_snapshots()
[02:58:52] loading snapshots from '/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots': 69 found
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: check_status()
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: available()
[02:58:52] is_available: ok
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: has_snapshots()
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: has_space()
[02:58:52] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 1
[02:58:52] Snapshot device: '/dev/sdb6'
[02:58:52] Snapshot location: /run/timeshift/backup
[02:58:52] OK
[02:58:52] 69 snapshots, 751.0 GB free
[02:58:52] Status: HAS_SNAPSHOTS_HAS_SPACE
[02:58:52] 
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: check_status(): exit
[02:58:52] SnapshotRepo: has_snapshots()
[03:22:39] Main: init_mount_list()
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda5, path: /, options: lazytime,noatime,errors=remount-ro
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda1, path: /boot, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sdb5, path: /home, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda8, path: /log, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sdb6, path: /srv, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda9, path: /var, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda6, path: /var/tmp, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] Entry: /dev/sda5 -> /
[03:22:39] Entry: /dev/sda1 -> /boot
[03:22:39] Entry: /dev/sdb5 -> /home
[03:22:39] Entry: /dev/sda8 -> /log
[03:22:39] Entry: /dev/sdb6 -> /srv
[03:22:39] Entry: /dev/sda9 -> /var
[03:22:39] Entry: /dev/sda6 -> /var/tmp
[03:22:39] Main: init_mount_list(): exit
[03:22:39] RestoreWindow: RestoreWindow()
[03:22:39] RestoreDeviceBox: RestoreDeviceBox()
[03:22:39] RestoreDeviceBox: RestoreDeviceBox(): exit
[03:22:39] RestoreExcludeBox: RestoreExcludeBox()
[03:22:39] RestoreExcludeBox: RestoreExcludeBox(): exit
[03:22:39] ExcludeAppsBox: ExcludeAppsBox()
[03:22:39] ExcludeAppsBox: ExcludeAppsBox(): exit
[03:22:39] RestoreBox: RestoreBox()
[03:22:39] RestoreBox: RestoreBox(): exit
[03:22:39] RsyncLogBox: RsyncLogBox()
[03:22:39] ExcludeBox: ExcludeBox()
[03:22:39] treeview_add_item(): /root/**
[03:22:39] ExcludeBox: ExcludeBox(): exit
[03:22:39] UsersBox: UsersBox()
[03:22:39] treeview_add_item(): /root/**
[03:22:39] UsersBox: UsersBox(): exit
[03:22:39] RestoreSummaryBox: RestoreSummaryBox()
[03:22:39] RestoreSummaryBox: RestoreSummaryBox(): exit
[03:22:39] RestoreBox: RestoreBox()
[03:22:39] RestoreBox: RestoreBox(): exit
[03:22:39] RestoreFinishBox: RestoreFinishBox()
[03:22:39] RestoreFinishBox: RestoreFinishBox(): exit
[03:22:39] RestoreWindow: RestoreWindow(): exit
[03:22:39] initialize_tab: 0
[03:22:39] RestoreDeviceBox: refresh()
[03:22:39] update_partitions()
[03:22:39] Device: get_disk_space_using_df(): 2
[03:22:39] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 2
[03:22:39] Device: get_filesystems(): 16
[03:22:39] partition list updated
[03:22:39] RestoreDeviceBox: refresh(): exit
[03:22:43] BootOptionsWindow: BootOptionsWindow()
[03:22:43] BootOptionsBox: BootOptionsBox()
[03:22:43] BootOptionsBox: cmb_grub_dev_select_default()
[03:22:43] BootOptionsBox: cmb_grub_dev_select_default(): exit
[03:22:43] BootOptionsBox: BootOptionsBox(): exit
[03:22:43] BootOptionsWindow: BootOptionsWindow(): exit
[03:26:17] mount_target_device()
[03:26:17] unmount_target_device()
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 2
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 2
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] arg=313c82d2-b860-4d38-bda0-7484e5f7c4c6, device=/dev/sda5
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 2
[03:26:17] Mounted '/dev/sda5' at '/run/timeshift/restore/'
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 3
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] arg=6ce9da11-452a-48e0-8a78-b6e887fd2f64, device=/dev/sda1
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 3
[03:26:17] Mounted '/dev/sda1' at '/run/timeshift/restore/boot'
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 4
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] arg=8e9f8960-e5be-488a-95e4-512d91b28e98, device=/dev/sdb5
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 4
[03:26:17] Mounted '/dev/sdb5' at '/run/timeshift/restore/home'
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 5
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] arg=e90a0d24-bf85-4109-b61d-42c2ee43b3b8, device=/dev/sda8
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 5
[03:26:17] Mounted '/dev/sda8' at '/run/timeshift/restore/log'
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 6
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] arg=dcdabfc0-5e34-4092-a1bb-17ffd7a73f71, device=/dev/sdb6
[03:26:17] /run/timeshift/backup
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 6
[03:26:17] Mounted '/dev/sdb6' at '/run/timeshift/restore/srv'
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 6
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] arg=ce6f2d8b-c840-4fc2-ae5c-b0cac650b114, device=/dev/sda9
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 6
[03:26:17] Mounted '/dev/sda9' at '/run/timeshift/restore/var'
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 7
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] arg=18d525b8-50f2-460b-8c01-8aa668366d5e, device=/dev/sda6
[03:26:17] ------------------
[03:26:17] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 7
[03:26:17] Mounted '/dev/sda6' at '/run/timeshift/restore/var/tmp'
[03:26:17] Main: add_app_exclude_entries()
[03:26:17] AppExcludeEntry: clear()
[03:26:17] AppExcludeEntry: add_app_exclude_entries_from_path()
[03:26:17] path=/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/localhost/root
[03:26:17] AppExcludeEntry: add_app_exclude_entries_from_home()
[03:26:17] path=/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/localhost/home
[03:26:17] AppExcludeEntry: add_app_exclude_entries_from_path()
[03:26:17] path=/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/localhost/home/alan
[03:26:18] AppExcludeEntry: add_app_exclude_entries_from_path()
[03:26:18] path=/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/localhost/home/lost+found
[03:26:18] apps: 74
[03:26:18] Main: add_app_exclude_entries(): exit
[03:26:18] initialize_tab: 3
[03:26:18] RestoreBox: restore()
[03:26:18] RestoreBox: restore_thread()
[03:26:18] Main: restore_snapshot()
[03:26:18] ******************************************************************************
[03:26:18] Backup Device: /dev/sdb6
[03:26:18] ******************************************************************************
[03:26:18] ******************************************************************************
[03:26:18] Snapshot: 2021-10-07_11-00-01 ~ 
[03:26:18] ******************************************************************************
[03:26:18] Main: restore_execute_rsync()
[03:26:18] source_path=/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01
[03:26:18] target_path=/run/timeshift/restore/
[03:26:18] Main: create_restore_scripts()
[03:26:18] Main: save_exclude_list_for_restore()
[03:26:18] Main: create_exclude_list_for_restore()
[03:26:18] Main: create_exclude_list_for_restore(): exit
[03:26:18] Exclude list -------------
[03:26:18] /dev/*
[03:26:18] /proc/*
[03:26:18] /sys/*
[03:26:18] /media/*
[03:26:18] /mnt/*
[03:26:18] /tmp/*
[03:26:18] /run/*
[03:26:18] /var/run/*
[03:26:18] /var/lock/*
[03:26:18] /var/lib/docker/*
[03:26:18] /var/lib/schroot/*
[03:26:18] /lost+found
[03:26:18] /timeshift/*
[03:26:18] /timeshift-btrfs/*
[03:26:18] /data/*
[03:26:18] /DATA/*
[03:26:18] /cdrom/*
[03:26:18] /sdcard/*
[03:26:18] /system/*
[03:26:18] /etc/timeshift.json
[03:26:18] /var/log/timeshift/*
[03:26:18] /var/log/timeshift-btrfs/*
[03:26:18] /swapfile
[03:26:18] /snap/*
[03:26:18] /root/.thumbnails
[03:26:18] /root/.cache
[03:26:18] /root/.dbus
[03:26:18] /root/.gvfs
[03:26:18] /root/.local/share/[Tt]rash
[03:26:18] /home/*/.thumbnails
[03:26:18] /home/*/.cache
[03:26:18] /home/*/.dbus
[03:26:18] /home/*/.gvfs
[03:26:18] /home/*/.local/share/[Tt]rash
[03:26:18] /root/.mozilla/firefox/*.default/Cache
[03:26:18] /root/.mozilla/firefox/*.default/OfflineCache
[03:26:18] /root/.opera/cache
[03:26:18] /root/.kde/share/apps/kio_http/cache
[03:26:18] /root/.kde/share/cache/http
[03:26:18] /home/*/.mozilla/firefox/*.default/Cache
[03:26:18] /home/*/.mozilla/firefox/*.default/OfflineCache
[03:26:18] /home/*/.opera/cache
[03:26:18] /home/*/.kde/share/apps/kio_http/cache
[03:26:18] /home/*/.kde/share/cache/http
[03:26:18] /var/cache/apt/archives/*
[03:26:18] /var/cache/pacman/pkg/*
[03:26:18] /var/cache/yum/*
[03:26:18] /var/cache/dnf/*
[03:26:18] /var/cache/eopkg/*
[03:26:18] /var/cache/xbps/*
[03:26:18] /var/cache/zypp/*
[03:26:18] /var/cache/edb/*
[03:26:18] /log/*
[03:26:18] /srv/timeshift/***
[03:26:18] + /root/**
[03:26:18] + /home/alan/**
[03:26:18] /root/**
[03:26:18] /home/*/**
[03:26:18] Comparing Files (Dry Run)...
[03:26:18] Synching files with rsync...
[03:26:18] Main: restore_other_gui()
[03:26:18] RsyncTask:execute()
[03:26:18] rsync -aii --recursive --verbose --delete --delete-after --force --stats --sparse --dry-run --log-file='/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore' --exclude-from='/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/exclude-restore.list' '/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/localhost/' '/run/timeshift/restore/'
[03:26:18] RsyncTask:prepare(): saved: /tmp/axZUn3kl/2021-10-19_03-26-18/script.sh
[03:26:18] AsyncTask: child_pid: 7253
[03:31:27] AsyncTask: finish(): enter
[03:31:27] exit_code: 0
[03:31:28] Main: restore_snapshot(): exit
[03:31:28] RestoreBox: restore_thread(): exit
[03:31:28] RestoreBox: restore(): exit
[03:31:28] initialize_tab: 4
[03:31:28] create_filters()
[03:31:28] RsyncLogWindow: RsyncLogWindow(): exit
[03:31:28] init_delayed()
[03:31:28] RsyncTask: parse_log()
[03:31:28] log_file = /run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore-changes
[03:33:28] RsyncTask: parse_log(): exit
[03:33:29] treeview_refresh(): 0
[03:33:35] treeview_refresh(): 6946 ms
[03:33:35] init_delayed(): finish
[03:34:44] initialize_tab: 7
[03:34:44] RestoreBox: restore()
[03:34:44] RestoreBox: restore_thread()
[03:34:44] Main: restore_snapshot()
[03:34:44] ******************************************************************************
[03:34:44] Backup Device: /dev/sdb6
[03:34:44] ******************************************************************************
[03:34:44] ******************************************************************************
[03:34:44] Snapshot: 2021-10-07_11-00-01 ~ 
[03:34:44] ******************************************************************************
[03:34:44] Main: restore_execute_rsync()
[03:34:44] source_path=/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01
[03:34:44] target_path=/run/timeshift/restore/
[03:34:44] Main: create_restore_scripts()
[03:34:44] rsync script:
[03:34:44] echo ''
echo ''
sleep 3s
rsync -avir --force --delete --delete-after --log-file="/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore" --exclude-from="/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/exclude-restore.list" "/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/localhost/" "/run/timeshift/restore/" 
sync 

[03:34:44] reinstall_grub2=true
[03:34:44] grub_device=/dev/sda
[03:34:44] E: Failed to open file “/run/timeshift/restore//etc/os-release”: No such file or directory
[03:34:44] E: Failed to read file: /run/timeshift/restore//etc/os-release
[03:34:44] GRUB2 install script:
[03:34:44] for i in dev dev/pts proc run sys; do mount --bind "/$i" "/run/timeshift/restore/$i"; done 
sync 
echo '' 
echo 'Re-installing GRUB2 bootloader...' 
chroot "/run/timeshift/restore/" grub-install --recheck --force /dev/sda 
echo '' 
echo 'Generating initramfs...' 
chroot "/run/timeshift/restore/" update-initramfs -u -k all 
echo '' 
echo 'Updating GRUB menu...' 
chroot "/run/timeshift/restore/" update-grub 
sync 
echo '' 
echo 'Synching file systems...' 
sync ; sleep 10s; 
echo '' 
echo 'Cleaning up...' 
for i in dev/pts dev proc run sys; do umount -f "/run/timeshift/restore/$i"; done 
sync 

[03:34:44] Running post-restore tasks...
[03:34:44] Main: save_exclude_list_for_restore()
[03:34:44] Main: create_exclude_list_for_restore()
[03:34:44] Main: create_exclude_list_for_restore(): exit
[03:34:44] Exclude list -------------
[03:34:44] /dev/*
[03:34:44] /proc/*
[03:34:44] /sys/*
[03:34:44] /media/*
[03:34:44] /mnt/*
[03:34:44] /tmp/*
[03:34:44] /run/*
[03:34:44] /var/run/*
[03:34:44] /var/lock/*
[03:34:44] /var/lib/docker/*
[03:34:44] /var/lib/schroot/*
[03:34:44] /lost+found
[03:34:44] /timeshift/*
[03:34:44] /timeshift-btrfs/*
[03:34:44] /data/*
[03:34:44] /DATA/*
[03:34:44] /cdrom/*
[03:34:44] /sdcard/*
[03:34:44] /system/*
[03:34:44] /etc/timeshift.json
[03:34:44] /var/log/timeshift/*
[03:34:44] /var/log/timeshift-btrfs/*
[03:34:44] /swapfile
[03:34:44] /snap/*
[03:34:44] /root/.thumbnails
[03:34:44] /root/.cache
[03:34:44] /root/.dbus
[03:34:44] /root/.gvfs
[03:34:44] /root/.local/share/[Tt]rash
[03:34:44] /home/*/.thumbnails
[03:34:44] /home/*/.cache
[03:34:44] /home/*/.dbus
[03:34:44] /home/*/.gvfs
[03:34:44] /home/*/.local/share/[Tt]rash
[03:34:44] /root/.mozilla/firefox/*.default/Cache
[03:34:44] /root/.mozilla/firefox/*.default/OfflineCache
[03:34:44] /root/.opera/cache
[03:34:44] /root/.kde/share/apps/kio_http/cache
[03:34:44] /root/.kde/share/cache/http
[03:34:44] /home/*/.mozilla/firefox/*.default/Cache
[03:34:44] /home/*/.mozilla/firefox/*.default/OfflineCache
[03:34:44] /home/*/.opera/cache
[03:34:44] /home/*/.kde/share/apps/kio_http/cache
[03:34:44] /home/*/.kde/share/cache/http
[03:34:44] /var/cache/apt/archives/*
[03:34:44] /var/cache/pacman/pkg/*
[03:34:44] /var/cache/yum/*
[03:34:44] /var/cache/dnf/*
[03:34:44] /var/cache/eopkg/*
[03:34:44] /var/cache/xbps/*
[03:34:44] /var/cache/zypp/*
[03:34:44] /var/cache/edb/*
[03:34:44] /log/*
[03:34:44] /srv/timeshift/***
[03:34:44] + /root/**
[03:34:44] + /home/alan/**
[03:34:44] /root/**
[03:34:44] /home/*/**
[03:34:44] Restoring snapshot...
[03:34:44] Synching files with rsync...
[03:34:44] Main: restore_other_gui()
[03:34:44] RsyncTask:execute()
[03:34:44] rsync -aii --recursive --verbose --delete --delete-after --force --stats --sparse --log-file='/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore' --exclude-from='/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/exclude-restore.list' '/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/localhost/' '/run/timeshift/restore/'
[03:34:44] RsyncTask:prepare(): saved: /tmp/axZUn3kl/2021-10-19_03-34-44/script.sh
[03:34:44] AsyncTask: child_pid: 7298
[03:38:44] AsyncTask: finish(): enter
[03:38:44] AsyncTask: finish(): enter
[03:38:44] exit_code: 11
[03:38:44] exit_code: 11
[03:38:44] E: Error opening file “/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore-changes”: File exists
[03:38:44] E: Failed to write file: /run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore-changes
[03:38:44] Main: fix_fstab_file()
[03:38:44] File not found: /run/timeshift/restore/etc/fstab
[03:38:44] Main: fix_crypttab_file()
[03:38:44] File not found: /run/timeshift/restore/etc/crypttab
[03:38:44] Parsing log file...
[03:38:44] RsyncTask: parse_log()
[03:38:44] log_file = /run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore-changes
[03:39:59] RsyncTask: parse_log(): exit
[03:39:59] executing sh_finish: 
[03:39:59] for i in dev dev/pts proc run sys; do mount --bind "/$i" "/run/timeshift/restore/$i"; done 
sync 
echo '' 
echo 'Re-installing GRUB2 bootloader...' 
chroot "/run/timeshift/restore/" grub-install --recheck --force /dev/sda 
echo '' 
echo 'Generating initramfs...' 
chroot "/run/timeshift/restore/" update-initramfs -u -k all 
echo '' 
echo 'Updating GRUB menu...' 
chroot "/run/timeshift/restore/" update-grub 
sync 
echo '' 
echo 'Synching file systems...' 
sync ; sleep 10s; 
echo '' 
echo 'Cleaning up...' 
for i in dev/pts dev proc run sys; do umount -f "/run/timeshift/restore/$i"; done 
sync 
if [ -d "/etc/timeshift/restore-hooks.d" ]; then 
  run-parts --verbose /etc/timeshift/restore-hooks.d 
fi 

[03:40:10] script exit code: 0
[03:40:10] Restore completed
[03:40:10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[03:40:10] unmount_target_device()
[03:40:10] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 8
[03:40:10] Unmounting from: '/run/timeshift/restore'
[03:40:10] Device: get_mounted_filesystems_using_mtab(): 2
[03:40:11] Main: restore_snapshot(): exit
[03:40:11] RestoreBox: restore_thread(): exit
[03:40:11] RestoreBox: restore(): exit
[03:40:11] initialize_tab: 8
[03:40:11] initialize_tab: 8

[SMG]

When you boot to a live session of Mint, the usb/dvd uses the BIOS/UEFi settings as they are. The same Mint usb can be used to boot both Legacy mode and UEFI mode. The inxi data you posted from the live session seems to indicate your computer is set for UEFI mode. Does that sound correct to you?

Machine:
Type: Desktop Mobo: Gigabyte model: H97N-WIFI v: x.x serial: N/A
UEFI:American Megatrends v: F8 date: 08/03/2015

However, the drives on your computer are using MBR which is usually associated with Legacy mode. To me, that indicates a possible miss-match between how you are booting and what your Mint install is expecting. It is possible to boot UEFI with an MBR, but I just wanted to mention this in case it is relevant to this situation.

Drives:
Local Storage: total: 2.06 TiB used: 177.88 GiB (8.4%)
ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: SSD 840 EVO 250GB size: 232.89 GiB
speed: 6.0 Gb/s serial: <filter> rev: CB6Q scheme: MBR
ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: Western Digital model: WD2000FYYZ-01UL1B2
size: 1.82 TiB speed: 6.0 Gb/s rotation: 7200 rpm serial: <filter>
rev: 1K03 temp: 39 C scheme: MBR

Ran timeshift from the Live USB, still would not boot.
Ran Boot Repair from the live USB.

These are two different independent actions. They are not related. Usually, when one is having problems booting, one runs Boot Repair. It gives a log with data about all the partitions on the drives, what operating systems it found, etc. It is a very long document, but maybe you no longer have access to it?

I am not familiar with trying to restore grub using Timeshift which is what you indicated you did in your most recent attempt. I did go through the code you posted and it seems to indicate you have do have separate /boot and / partitions, but you also have more partitions spread across the two drives. What I have listed below is an excerpt from the data you posted with what seem like key points to me.

Code: Select all

[02:58:46] selected device: /dev/sdb6
[02:58:46] fstype: ext4
[02:58:50] loading snapshots from '/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots': 69 found
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda5, path: /, options: lazytime,noatime,errors=remount-ro
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda1, path: /boot, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sdb5, path: /home, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda8, path: /log, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sdb6, path: /srv, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda9, path: /var, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:22:39] added: dev: /dev/sda6, path: /var/tmp, options: lazytime,noatime,defaults
[03:26:18] ******************************************************************************
[03:26:18] Backup Device: /dev/sdb6
[03:26:18] ******************************************************************************
[03:26:18] ******************************************************************************
[03:26:18] Snapshot: 2021-10-07_11-00-01 ~ 
[03:26:18] ******************************************************************************

[03:34:44] reinstall_grub2=true
[03:34:44] grub_device=/dev/sda
[03:34:44] E: Failed to open file “/run/timeshift/restore//etc/os-release”: No such file or directory

[03:38:44] E: Error opening file “/run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore-changes”: File exists
[03:38:44] E: Failed to write file: /run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore-changes
[03:38:44] Main: fix_fstab_file()
[03:38:44] File not found: /run/timeshift/restore/etc/fstab
[03:38:44] Main: fix_crypttab_file()
[03:38:44] File not found: /run/timeshift/restore/etc/crypttab
[03:38:44] Parsing log file...
[03:38:44] RsyncTask: parse_log()
[03:38:44] log_file = /run/timeshift/backup/timeshift/snapshots/2021-10-07_11-00-01/rsync-log-restore-changes

[03:40:10] script exit code: 0
[03:40:10] Restore completed

Are you dual-booting with another operating system? If so, is it possible an update to that system might be a factor in this situation?

[pdc_2]

ajt commented earlier

Yes, only Mint 20.2

[SMG]

ajt commented earlier

Yes, only Mint 20.2

ajt did not comment in extra large size print and I do not know why you felt the need to modify their post.

I asked my questions based on the data provided in the most recent posts. You are welcome to go through the provided log and provide help rather than providing unhelpful commentary.

I went through the log and there are references to pacman and yum on a "only Mint 20.2" install. That seems odd to me. Additionally, I find it odd that someone with two hard disks is only using the extended partitions of the second disk. Those observations give me the impression there might be another operating system still on the drives. That is why I asked the question.

[ajt]

Hello,

Problem "solved" although I am not 100% sure what steps solved it !

Some combination of Timeshift restore and Boot Repair, performed multiple times, and the machine now boots. One piece of information I do have is that Timeshift restore was completing "with errors". I inspected the log file and could not see anything I thought was significant (file included in this thread). However, on the last run there were no errors (not sure why) and then the boot was successful, so these errors were probably what was causing the problem. Still cannot see anything that looks like the culprit.

Many thanks to all for the help.

BRgds/Alan