kubuntu won't start

[tonymoloney]

My daughter is running Kubuntu 7.10
She has been a bit slack in installing updates so last night she decided to install all the K* updates.
Now when the system boots up, it doesn't get to the graphics screen, but asks for a username/password during the boot process.
She doesn't have either, as i installed the system for her, but none of my username/password combinations work.
How can she get past this area and into the graphics screen?

[mhurst102282]

Well first off 7.20 is no longer supported so you might want to try upgrading. Secondly what happens when you type in the command startx?

[Najand]

Does the recovery mode work?

[tonymoloney]

Thanks for the replies and please ignore my duplicate post.
First of all, my daughter is in a different suburb, about half an hour away and I'm trying to solve this from my place.
Mhurst - I can't type startx cause I can't get past the login request
Najand - How do I get into recovery mode?

[Najand]

If you have a single-boot (Ubuntu is the only operating system on your computer), you may have to press the Escape key during bootup in order to see the boot menu. If you have a dual-boot (Ubuntu is installed next to Windows, another Linux operating system, or Mac OS X; and you choose at boot time which operating system to boot into), the boot menu should appear without the need to press the Escape key.

From the boot menu, select recovery mode, which is usually the second boot option.

[tonymoloney]

Thanks, Najand.
It is a single boot system, so I will ring my daughter and get her to follow your advice.
I'll let you know how it goes, but it may be a while 'cos she might have gone out by now.
Also, the time difference may see you in bed by the time we solve this.
Tony

[Najand]

sure. take your time.

[tonymoloney]

Hey Najand, I just noticed you're in Japan, so we're pretty much in the same time zone.
OK. My daughter has come home. Now when she starts in recovery mode, the recovery process takes place, but it then puts her back to the username/password prompt.
However, this time, when she types a username and hits Enter (or Tab) the password prompt comes up with the cursor flashing but it won't let her type anything in.
???

[Najand]

It doesn't show anything when you enter your password.
Just enter the password and then push enter.

[tonymoloney]

Hey Najand, I just noticed you're in Japan, so we're pretty much in the same time zone.
OK. My daughter has come home. Now when she starts in recovery mode, the recovery process takes place, but it then puts her back to the username/password prompt.
However, this time, when she types a username and hits Enter (or Tab) the password prompt comes up with the cursor flashing but it won't let her type anything in.
???