I believe this is the relevant error message, but I lack experience with Linux to know for sure:
ALERT! /dev/mapper/vgmint-root does not exist. Dropping to a shell!System info:
- Linux Mint 20.1 Cinnamon 64-bit
- LVM full-disk encryption
- GNU GRUB version 2.04
- I think Timeshift was configured, with multiple backup intervals available
- I have a bootable USB key with Mint 20.1 ready, if I need it
- I know the correct disk decryption key, and Mint user login password
- Linux 5.4.0-88-generic
- *-86-generic
- *-84-generic
- *-81-generic - last known functional
- *-80-generic
- *-58-generic
Note: I'm a novice at Linux troubleshooting. I know some basic command line syntax from using DOS and Windows for decades. But all I really know is "sudo apt update && apt upgrade", and how to copy-paste commands. Otherwise, I'm a bit lost. For example, I barely know what "initramfs" is.
Goal: Hopefully to recover to a usable/bootable state--as it was either before the *-88 kernel update where it's entirely unbootable; or before *-84, when things initially started going wrong.
If that's not possible, I'd hope to be able to recover files from the home folder. I have some backed up, and probably nothing critical, but I'd still prefer to not lose it.
After that, I don't mind wiping the SSD and starting over again.
Thank you for any help.
****************************
Problems initially started maybe a month or two ago, probably after a firmware and/or kernel update--I think to "Linux 5.4.0-84 generic". I use LVM full-disk encryption (I think) on an NVMe SSD. The only OS installed is Linux Mint 20.1 Cinnamon 64-bit.
After the problems started, I was still able to boot successfully with the advanced boot option, using kernel *-81. Didn't notice any issues during typical use after a successful boot.
Update to kernel *-86 did not fix the problem. After the most recent update to *-88, I'm not able to boot with any available kernel version.
During a functional boot, when I reach the disk decryption screen, there's a text prompt below the Linux Mint logo, above the text entry box. (Something like "Please unlock disk nvme_crypt".) Since the problems started, there is no text prompt between the logo and text box. (Pictured below)
I enter the correct decryption key, and the screen hangs longer than usual. (I know the key is correct. If I enter an incorrect key, the text box reappears.)
Eventually, it reaches a command-line prompt. I enter "exit" at the prompt, and this is what displays on the screen (code and picture below):
Code: Select all
[ 1.791249] pmouse serio1: synaptics: Unable to query device: -5
BusyBox v1.30.1 (Ubuntu 1:1.30.1-4ubuntu6.3) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.
(initramfs) exit
Gave up waiting for root file system device. Common problems:
- Boot args (cat /proc/cmdline)
- Check rootdelay= (did the system wait long enough?)
- Missing modules (cat /proc/modules; is /dev)
ALERT! /dev/mapper/vgmint-root does not exist. Dropping to a shell!
I tried once to boot using a "(recovery mode)" kernel (I think *-81), and it ultimately gave a similar error message (code and picture below):
Code: Select all
Scanning for Btrfs filesystems
Begin: Waiting for suspend/resume device ... Begin: Running /scripts/local-block ... done.
done.
Gave up waiting for suspend/resume device
done.
Begin: Waiting for root file system ... Begin: Running /scriptslocal-block ... done.
done.
Gave up waiting for root file system device. Common problems:
- Boot args (cat /proc/cmdline)
- Check rootdelay= (did the system wait long enough?)
- Missing modules (cat /proc/modules; is /dev)
ALERT! /dev/mapper/vgmint-root does not exist. Dropping to a shell!
BusyBox v1.30.1 (Ubuntu 1:1.30.1-4ubuntu6.3) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.
(initramfs) _ [prompt]
It's not pictured here, but among the text above this, there's this line, again suggesting the decryption key is correct:
Code: Select all
Begin: Mounting root file system ... Begin: Running /scripts/local-top ... Please unlock disk nvme*********_crypt:
cryptsetup: nvme******_crypt: set up successfully
done.
