kernel update broke my system

[Bloch]

The kernel update from
2.6.24-19-generic
to
2.6.24-21-generic
broke my system. The X-windows system do not start. The error message is something about could not resume image or something.

I have a Nvidia graphics card GeForce Fx 5200.

It took me about 5 hours to install the driver for that several months ago - I had to go to the Nvidia website, serach the web for hacks etc etc.
I don't want to go through that hell again.

Is there any simple way to get it working?

[Perfect Storm]

When using the driver manually from nvidia site and there's an update/patch it will "break" the system. It's because you build the driver for the previous kernel. So you have to build the driver against the new kernel. It's the same way that you install the driver the last time.

Have you tried using the default nvidia restriction driver? Or Envy?

[SeanBlader]

You might be able to select the old kernel from the grub menu when the system starts.

Your post does make me a little nervous though, I have a few minutes remaining on the download for today's updates. I'll let you know how it goes on my AMD based system with the Nvidia 6150 Go chip.

[Perfect Storm]

Actually boot up in "safe mode"

Then

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Set the driver from "nvidia" to "nv"

Save [ctrl]+[o] and exit [ctrl]+[x]

then reboot. Now you can get in, but without the 3D stuff etc. From there you can rebuild the driver or find an alternative.

[Haruki-kun]

You might be able to select the old kernel from the grub menu when the system starts.

Your post does make me a little nervous though, I have a few minutes remaining on the download for today's updates. I'll let you know how it goes on my AMD based system with the Nvidia 6150 Go chip.

Actually, mine also seems to be having problems with the kernel update. Is there an error of some sort somewhere?

[Archmage]

envyNG might be an solution.

You can even install it via command-line and run it there, too.

[diffuze]

I just had the same exact problem and running envyng solved it for me!
So I highly recommend you to try that!

Also, now my xwindows FINALLY starts up using the correct resolution! So now I don't have to set it in nvidia-settings each time anymore, so some sort of bug must have been fixed.

<---- Extremely happy!

[Bloch]

Thanks for all the replies!

I was able to choose to boot from the old 2.6.24-19-generic kernel.

Then I changed the /boot/grub/menu.lst
file and commented out the entry for the new 2.6.24-21 kernel.
(This is easy to do, comments begin with a #)

Now the system boots as before.

I recall that Envy did not work for me when I originally installed the drivers for my GeFortce 5200 card. I had to download drivers from the Nvidia site and "build" it myself. (Quotation marks because I only followed line by line instructions).

I searched to see what is new & improved in the 2.6.24-21-generic kernel, and can't find much info.

My question is, do I need the new kernel? Will staying with the old one cause problems in the future - for example when updates to other programs come in?

Thanks guys.

[Perfect Storm]

Bloch, it's security updates. Might be a good idea running the new one.

[Bloch]

For me as a user, a kernel update is like an attack on my system.

It's not the first time an update has broken things.