[SOLVED] Silent crash in Evolution after latest system updates

[Drugwash]

Had two series of system updates recently: one today, another one yesterday. No reboot between them.
After today's updates I rebooted the system and noticed Evolution wouldn't start up anymore.
System Monitor showed it starting its main process then exiting silently.
Starting evolution in Terminal produces the following output and also allows it to run (!!!):

Code: Select all

dragos@Samsung-R580:~$ evolution
(evolution:2133): Gtk-WARNING **: 15:30:41.229: mail-reply-alternative: missing action mail-reply-alternative
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.229: gtk_menu_item_get_submenu: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_ITEM (menu_item)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.229: gtk_container_foreach: assertion 'GTK_IS_CONTAINER (container)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.229: gtk_container_foreach: assertion 'GTK_IS_CONTAINER (container)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_menu_shell_insert: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_SHELL (menu_shell)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_menu_item_get_submenu: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_ITEM (menu_item)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_container_foreach: assertion 'GTK_IS_CONTAINER (container)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_container_foreach: assertion 'GTK_IS_CONTAINER (container)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_menu_shell_insert: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_SHELL (menu_shell)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-WARNING **: 15:30:41.230: mail-color-assign: missing action mail-color-assign
(evolution:2133): Gtk-WARNING **: 15:30:41.230: mail-color-unset: missing action mail-color-unset
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_menu_item_get_submenu: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_ITEM (menu_item)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_container_foreach: assertion 'GTK_IS_CONTAINER (container)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_container_foreach: assertion 'GTK_IS_CONTAINER (container)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.230: gtk_menu_shell_insert: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_SHELL (menu_shell)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.231: gtk_menu_item_get_submenu: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_ITEM (menu_item)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.231: gtk_container_foreach: assertion 'GTK_IS_CONTAINER (container)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.231: gtk_container_foreach: assertion 'GTK_IS_CONTAINER (container)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.231: gtk_menu_shell_insert: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_SHELL (menu_shell)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-CRITICAL **: 15:30:41.231: gtk_menu_shell_insert: assertion 'GTK_IS_MENU_SHELL (menu_shell)' failed
(evolution:2133): Gtk-WARNING **: 15:30:41.234: mail-reply-alternative: missing action mail-reply-alternative
(evolution:2133): Gtk-WARNING **: 15:30:41.238: mail-popup-search-web: missing action mail-popup-search-web

I rebooted again, tried starting Evolution normally (through panel icon) and behavior is consistent: silent crash.

The two system updates are as follows; maybe someone spots something that may be the culprit.
Please note the kernel updates do not matter as I always boot with the same older kernel 5.0.0-31-generic through advanced options:

Code: Select all

09/26/2020 02:50:53 PM winehq-devel 5.17~bionic 5.14~bionic
09/26/2020 02:50:41 PM wine-devel-i386:i386 5.17~bionic 5.14~bionic
09/26/2020 02:50:39 PM wine-devel-dbg 5.17~bionic 5.14~bionic
09/26/2020 02:50:26 PM wine-devel-amd64 5.17~bionic 5.14~bionic
09/26/2020 02:50:24 PM wine-devel 5.17~bionic 5.14~bionic
09/26/2020 02:43:17 PM wine-devel-i386:i386 5.14~bionic 5.17~bionic
09/26/2020 02:43:04 PM wine-devel-amd64 5.14~bionic 5.17~bionic
09/26/2020 02:43:00 PM wine-devel-dbg 5.14~bionic 5.17~bionic
09/26/2020 02:42:59 PM wine-devel 5.14~bionic 5.17~bionic
09/26/2020 02:42:57 PM winehq-devel 5.14~bionic 5.17~bionic

09/25/2020 07:19:29 PM rfkill 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:19:26 PM linux-libc-dev 4.15.0-117.118 4.15.0-118.119
09/25/2020 07:19:25 PM linux-headers-generic-hwe-18.04 5.4.0.47.51~18.04.40 5.4.0.48.52~18.04.42
09/25/2020 07:19:21 PM linux-headers-5.4.0-48-generic <none> 5.4.0-48.52~18.04.1
09/25/2020 07:19:12 PM linux-image-generic-hwe-18.04 5.4.0.47.51~18.04.40 5.4.0.48.52~18.04.42
09/25/2020 07:19:11 PM linux-generic-hwe-18.04 5.4.0.47.51~18.04.40 5.4.0.48.52~18.04.42
09/25/2020 07:19:00 PM linux-modules-extra-5.4.0-48-generic <none> 5.4.0-48.52~18.04.1
09/25/2020 07:18:59 PM linux-image-5.4.0-48-generic <none> 5.4.0-48.52~18.04.1
09/25/2020 07:18:54 PM linux-modules-5.4.0-48-generic <none> 5.4.0-48.52~18.04.1
09/25/2020 07:18:53 PM linux-headers-generic 4.15.0.117.104 4.15.0.118.105
09/25/2020 07:18:49 PM linux-headers-4.15.0-118-generic <none> 4.15.0-118.119
09/25/2020 07:18:40 PM linux-image-generic 4.15.0.117.104 4.15.0.118.105
09/25/2020 07:18:40 PM linux-headers-4.15.0-118 <none> 4.15.0-118.119
09/25/2020 07:18:39 PM linux-generic 4.15.0.117.104 4.15.0.118.105
09/25/2020 07:18:31 PM linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-118-generic <none> 4.15.0-118.119
09/25/2020 07:18:28 PM linux-image-4.15.0-118-generic <none> 4.15.0-118.119
09/25/2020 07:18:25 PM linux-modules-4.15.0-118-generic <none> 4.15.0-118.119
09/25/2020 07:18:23 PM packagekit 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.5 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6
09/25/2020 07:18:22 PM gstreamer1.0-packagekit 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.5 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6
09/25/2020 07:18:21 PM packagekit-tools 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.5 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6
09/25/2020 07:18:20 PM firefox-locale-en 80.0+linuxmint1+tricia 81.0+linuxmint1+tricia
09/25/2020 07:18:11 PM firefox 80.0+linuxmint1+tricia 81.0+linuxmint1+tricia
09/25/2020 07:18:07 PM finalrd 3~ubuntu18.04.0 6~ubuntu18.04.1
09/25/2020 07:18:05 PM libssl1.0.0 1.0.2n-1ubuntu5.3 1.0.2n-1ubuntu5.4
09/25/2020 07:18:04 PM busybox-static 1:1.27.2-2ubuntu3.2 1:1.27.2-2ubuntu3.3
09/25/2020 07:18:03 PM busybox-initramfs 1:1.27.2-2ubuntu3.2 1:1.27.2-2ubuntu3.3
09/25/2020 07:18:02 PM initramfs-tools-bin 0.130ubuntu3.9 0.130ubuntu3.10
09/25/2020 07:18:01 PM initramfs-tools 0.130ubuntu3.9 0.130ubuntu3.10
09/25/2020 07:17:59 PM initramfs-tools-core 0.130ubuntu3.9 0.130ubuntu3.10
09/25/2020 07:17:57 PM python3-aptdaemon.gtk3widgets 1.1.1+bzr982-0ubuntu19.3 1.1.1+bzr982-0ubuntu19.4
09/25/2020 07:17:52 PM aptdaemon 1.1.1+bzr982-0ubuntu19.3 1.1.1+bzr982-0ubuntu19.4
09/25/2020 07:17:49 PM python3-aptdaemon 1.1.1+bzr982-0ubuntu19.3 1.1.1+bzr982-0ubuntu19.4
09/25/2020 07:17:46 PM aptdaemon-data 1.1.1+bzr982-0ubuntu19.3 1.1.1+bzr982-0ubuntu19.4
09/25/2020 07:17:44 PM libproxy1v5 0.4.15-1 0.4.15-1ubuntu0.1
09/25/2020 07:17:43 PM libproxy1-plugin-gsettings 0.4.15-1 0.4.15-1ubuntu0.1
09/25/2020 07:17:42 PM libproxy1-plugin-networkmanager 0.4.15-1 0.4.15-1ubuntu0.1
09/25/2020 07:17:40 PM gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.5 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6
09/25/2020 07:17:33 PM libpackagekit-glib2-18 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.5 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6
09/25/2020 07:17:23 PM gpgv 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:22 PM gpg-wks-server 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:21 PM gnupg 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:20 PM gpgconf 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:19 PM gpgsm 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:18 PM gpg-agent 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:17 PM gnupg-l10n 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:16 PM gpg 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:16 PM gnupg-utils 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:14 PM dirmngr 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:13 PM libwbclient0 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.18 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.19
09/25/2020 07:17:13 PM gpg-wks-client 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.2 2.2.4-1ubuntu1.3
09/25/2020 07:17:11 PM samba-libs 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.18 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.19
09/25/2020 07:17:10 PM samba-common 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.18 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.19
09/25/2020 07:17:09 PM samba-common-bin 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.18 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.19
09/25/2020 07:17:08 PM smbclient 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.18 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.19
09/25/2020 07:17:07 PM libsmbclient 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.18 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.19
09/25/2020 07:17:04 PM python-samba 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.18 2:4.7.6+dfsg~ubuntu-0ubuntu2.19
09/25/2020 07:17:03 PM uuid-runtime 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:17:01 PM mount 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:53 PM util-linux 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:50 PM fdisk 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:48 PM libsmartcols1 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:47 PM libmount1:i386 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:46 PM libmount1 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:43 PM libfdisk1 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:42 PM libblkid1:i386 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:41 PM libblkid1 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:39 PM libuuid1 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:38 PM libuuid1:i386 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7
09/25/2020 07:16:35 PM bsdutils 1:2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.6 1:2.31.1-0.4ubuntu3.7

I'd be grateful for any insight/advice/etc that could help fixing the issue.

[diapason]

I love Evolution and wouldn't use anything else but over the years I have had the odd occasion where an update either to Linux or to Evolution has caused it to malfunction.

Someone may be able to spot something in those terminal outputs you posted and it is always more satisfying if you can get to the bottom of what has gone wrong and fix it but my solution on the odd occasion that it has been necessary was just to backup the Evolution data and then remove Evolution from the system, reinstall it and restore the backup. That has always fixed the problem and let me move on.

Even if the problem prevents me from making a backup immediately before removing Evolution I am covered because I back the data up once a week and I use IMAP so as soon as I restore my latest backup, Evolution polls the server and pulls down everything since (I always clear the IMAP server about two weeks behind Evolution backups).

On the one occasion when the simple delete, reinstall and restore didn't work, I deleted all my email accounts from Evolution before uninstalling it and then did the uninstall, reinstall and restore and that did the trick.

If you decide to do this, one thing to watch is that your reinstallation is the same version number as the version used to back up the data. I think the restore works between different minor versions (eg 3.36.3 to 3.36.4) but it definitely doesn't work if you try to restore between two major versions.

[ajgringo619]

I, too, have had the occasional hiccup with Evolution; seems worse with Outlook accounts than others I've tried. After trying again with v3.38 (via flatpak), the issues seem to have been resolved. It's an option, anyway.

[diapason]

ajgringo619
So you are on 3.38 Flatpak too. I had to install that after the upgrade from LM19.3 to LM20 which moved Evolution from 3.58.x to 3.63.3. I had TLS handshake problems and the only solution was to get 3.36.4 from GitHub in the Flatpak.

Unfortunately, I forgot to turn off Flatpak automatic updates so, by the time Software Manager moved up to 3.36.4, Flatpak had taken me to 3.38.0.

I tried to remove the Flatpak and reinstall from Software Manager and that's when I discovered that a 3.38.0 backup will not restore to 3.36.4. So I'm stuck with Flatpak until Software Manager catches up. Not the end of the world but it means I can't use the External Text Editor plugin because Flatpak is sandboxed and can't call external resources.

[ajgringo619]

ajgringo619
I tried to remove the Flatpak and reinstall from Software Manager and that's when I discovered that a 3.38.0 backup will not restore to 3.36.4. So I'm stuck with Flatpak until Software Manager catches up. Not the end of the world but it means I can't use the External Text Editor plugin because Flatpak is sandboxed and can't call external resources.

If you want to enable access to some of the OS files, install Flatseal (Flatpak's permissions program), and enable the "All system libraries, executables and static data" setting here:

evolution-flatpseal-perms.jpg

As you can see, I've enabled the "All user files" setting as it was a pain to save attachments without it.

[diapason]

Thanks very much for that. I'll have a look.

One of the package maintainers very kindly gave me some code which would allow overriding Flatpak permissions but he warned that it would give the application more than it needs so I have not used it yet.

[ajgringo619]

Thanks very much for that. I'll have a look.

One of the package maintainers very kindly gave me some code which would allow overriding Flatpak permissions but he warned that it would give the application more than it needs so I have not used it yet.

That's a problem, no question. The command you were given is probably doing the same thing as Flatseal, just not in a pretty window.

[diapason]

Ah yes, but your solution can be more quickly and easily turned on and off.

I'll give it a go in the week and let you know the outcome.

[Drugwash]

Ugh, stupid stupid me!!!

Found the problem, and it had nothing to do with system updates - it was merely a coincidence, or so it seems. Let me elaborate.

In first three or four system (re)installations on this notebook I always disabled password requirement completely as I never needed such thing. This time I was just tired of reinstalling, and configuring system and applications so I left that one out. Then Evolution was asking for keyring password everytime and together with some TLS errors (that others had too at the time) it became too annoying so I looked online for a solution and found a command line parameter that would allegedly disable password request: --password-store=basic. I edited the Evolution Menu launcher - which is also used by its panel icon - adding that parameter, but I just can't remember if I ever launched Evolution after adding it. Probably not, or maybe it did work correctly at the time. Dunno, but then I simply forgot I had made that change, since I use Evolution very rarely and only to check the Spam folders - maybe once a month.

Thing is, minutes ago it occured to me to check the Menu launcher for whatever parameters it may use, and stumbled into that one that I had completely forgotten about. Removed it, saved, closed all pertaining dialogs, launched Evolution and... it works again.

Hopefully this is a good lesson to learn, especially for those with bad memory like me.
Thank you guys for taking the time to try and help!