Updates screwed up my system!
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There are no such things as "stupid" questions. However if you think your question is a bit stupid, then this is the right place for you to post it. Stick to easy to-the-point questions that you feel people can answer fast. For long and complicated questions use the other forums in the support section.
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
Updates screwed up my system!
Hi guys, I've been running a dual boot Linux/Win8.1 system happily for a couple of years, The other day I clicked on the updates button, and now wish I hadn't bothered!
System: LinuxMint 17 Qiana, release 3.13.0-24-generic
After the updates, all my windows were visually affected - I could see the window frames, but the content inside was invisible. I could still click on things (if I knew where they were) so it appears that it's just the display that was affected.
After rebooting, the system crashes as soon as I login, and goes into recovery mode (or whatever the Linux terminology is!). So I have a black screen, and have managed to get a terminal open - beyond that I have no idea what to do to get my system working again. I hope someone can help - I'm not new to Linux, but I'm no guru, so I'll need some pretty verbose instructions!
Many thanks.
System: LinuxMint 17 Qiana, release 3.13.0-24-generic
After the updates, all my windows were visually affected - I could see the window frames, but the content inside was invisible. I could still click on things (if I knew where they were) so it appears that it's just the display that was affected.
After rebooting, the system crashes as soon as I login, and goes into recovery mode (or whatever the Linux terminology is!). So I have a black screen, and have managed to get a terminal open - beyond that I have no idea what to do to get my system working again. I hope someone can help - I'm not new to Linux, but I'm no guru, so I'll need some pretty verbose instructions!
Many thanks.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
Nol one's going to be able to give useful instructions without more info.
You apparently updated via Update Manager. DId you have level 4 & 5 updates enabled? Do you have more than one desktop environment installed?
Need more system info than release/kernel number. Copy/paste this into terminal and copy/paste the text output back here:
inxi -Fxz
You apparently updated via Update Manager. DId you have level 4 & 5 updates enabled? Do you have more than one desktop environment installed?
Need more system info than release/kernel number. Copy/paste this into terminal and copy/paste the text output back here:
inxi -Fxz
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong - H. L. Mencken
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
Had to attach the info as an image, as I'm typing from my other laptop! Thanks.
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
viewtopic.php?f=90&t=232706
I had a similar problem, and the folks here did a great job getting it fixed. I've attached the link I used.....hopefully it will help
I had a similar problem, and the folks here did a great job getting it fixed. I've attached the link I used.....hopefully it will help
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
Thanks Rollo151 - I had a read through that thread, and tried the new user solution, but unfortunately it hasn't worked.
Strangely, the login screen is fine, everything is normal and as it used to be with a background picture and icons that I can press. But logging in causes the crash and the blank screen. I'll post a pic of this screen in a while.
Strangely, the login screen is fine, everything is normal and as it used to be with a background picture and icons that I can press. But logging in causes the crash and the blank screen. I'll post a pic of this screen in a while.
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
Get the terminal open again and check if this returns anything or nothing at all.Neilz wrote:and have managed to get a terminal open
Code: Select all
aptitude search ~U
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
I know a lot of members here are vehemently opposed to performing a dist-upgrade, but holding back the newer packages and dependencies eventually exhaust the system's capability to run.Neilz wrote:Yes, that command returned 60ish lines of stuff.
So cross your fingers and
Code: Select all
apt dist-upgrade
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
Ok, I'll give it a try - but it definitely won't break the system completely, right?!
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
You crash now, how much worse can it getNeilz wrote:Ok, I'll give it a try - but it definitely won't break the system completely, right?!
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
Currently I can still get in to the OS and type commands... worse would be if I can't get in at all!
I'm not familiar with the command, that's all, so don't fully understand what it is I'm about to undertake!
I'm not familiar with the command, that's all, so don't fully understand what it is I'm about to undertake!
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
From the apt-get man pageNeilz wrote:Currently I can still get in to the OS and type commands... worse would be if I can't get in at all!
I'm not familiar with the command, that's all, so don't fully understand what it is I'm about to undertake!
Code: Select all
dist-upgrade in addition to performing the function of upgrade, also intelligently handles changing dependencies with new versions of packages;
I always dist-upgrade when I see packages are being held back because of changed dependencies and never experienced a problem.
I always go up to level 5 with upgrades, again without issues.
It's ultimately up to you whether or not to do this, but these held-back packages might be the root cause of your problem
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
create a new user with admin privileges and test that after reboot you may need to logoff if you use auto login
Re: Updates screwed up my system!
It's worked! Thank you, so muchWharfRat wrote:I know a lot of members here are vehemently opposed to performing a dist-upgrade, but holding back the newer packages and dependencies eventually exhaust the system's capability to run.Neilz wrote:Yes, that command returned 60ish lines of stuff.
So cross your fingers and
There's no guarantee that this alone with fix this, but it will eliminate a possibility.Code: Select all
apt dist-upgrade