Ubuntu Freezes after Install.

[zellfaze]

Problem: Ubuntu freezes up 30 seconds or so after a successful login.

Background:
I am running a Compaq Presario SR5030NX (http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/ho/WF06b/12132708-12133156-78308260-78308260-78308260-79685091-80248998.html). It has had issues for a while with running Ubuntu properly. My computer suffers from this bug (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/404421). I have managed to get the LiveCD running by adding the following to my boot parameters:


vga=792 i915.modeset=0

When I was running the LiveCD I found that it would freeze after about 30 seconds. I solved this problem by again changing the boot options. This time I:
Press F6
Check noapic, nolapic, and pci=noacpi

I then proceeded to install Ubuntu.

My problem arose when Ubuntu did not modify grub.cfg to match the setting I needed in order to boot. I managed to modify in some of the settings correctly, I believe at least, but not all of them.

In its current state Ubuntu is able to boot, but freezes 30 seconds or so after a successful login. If I do not graphically login, I do still have access to VTY1-6. The machine does not freeze until a successful graphical login has been made.

Below is the relevant section of my grub.cfg:

menuentry "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic" {
recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi
set quiet=1
insmod ext2
set root=(hd0,2)
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set daa29a0c-e7d1-43ed-99fc-b52dcc504b4a
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=daa29a0c-e7d1-43ed-99fc-b52dcc504b4a ro noapic nolapic pci=noacpi vga=792 i915.modeset=0 splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-14-generic
}
Full file is available here: http://pastebin.com/f66a14138

Here is a copy of my /etc/default/grub:

# If you change this file, run 'update-grub' afterwards to update
# /boot/grub/grub.cfg.

GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=10
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
GRUB_TIMEOUT="10"
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="vga=792 i915.modeset=0 splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="noapic nolapic pci=noacpi"

# Uncomment to disable graphical terminal (grub-pc only)
#GRUB_TERMINAL=console

# The resolution used on graphical terminal
# note that you can use only modes which your graphic card supports via VBE
# you can see them in real GRUB with the command `vbeinfo'
#GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480

# Uncomment if you don't want GRUB to pass "root=UUID=xxx" parameter to Linux
#GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_UUID=true

# Uncomment to disable generation of recovery mode menu entrys
#GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_RECOVERY="true"


I would greatly like to see this problem solved quickly. I have been running off a liveCD for over 6 months now. Which as one can imagine, is not fun.

On another note:
The liveCD I have been running for 6 months is BackTrack 3 Final. Which does not have this issue at all. I would wager a guess that BackTrack 4 does though as it is based off Ubuntu instead of Slax.

[zellfaze]

I hate to double post, but I think I have good reason to this time.

I found a work-around to my problem in the above post.

But before I get to that, I want to continue the story of my problem. Before I found a work-around I spent more time trying to diagnose and correct the issue.

The additional steps I took, and their outcome have been listed below:
I booted my computer.
Result: Same as nothing was changed.
I changed the /etc/default/grub to its current state. In its current state only the word splash is on the line LINUX_DEFAULT, everything else is just on LINUX.
Result: Computer still froze. But I could now boot recovery mode.
I booted up. Logged into a VTY1 just to make sure it still worked.
Result: Computer worked, until I logged into a graphic login. Then it froze.
I booted up. Logged into the graphical login, then quickly switched to VTY1 to check for error messages.
Result: Interesting, all I saw was the the picture below.
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/4060/palringo134222941533727.th.jpg (http://img715.imageshack.us/i/palringo134222941533727.jpg/)
Click for full view.

Anyhow, as I said, I did find a work-around. If anyone could explain to me why my work-around works, I would appreciate it greatly.

Work Around:
Modify Grub to have a timeout. This way you can access the boot menu. This can be done via /etc/default/grub
When your computer boots, select recovery mode kernel from the boot menu.
Select Login as root from the next menu to pop up.
You are now dropped into a root shell.
Type su yourUserName This will log you in.
Type startx This will give you a GUI.


As I said, I am not sure why it works, and I would love to know. I suspect it has something to do with GDM not being loaded.

Best of luck to anyone else who has this issue.

Love,
Haxor ~Zell Faze~
<3

EDIT (about 20 seconds after original posting):
I just wanted to make note of this. I have not marked this topic as solved for a reason. This problem was not solved, an acceptable work-around was just found. I still consider this a problem, I am thinking about reporting it to Bugzilla in fact.

[chris_lukehart]

After installation of 9.10 it does not apply kernel options for some odd reason

Steps to fix it:

1)press shift to get to grub2

2)press a letter (not sure) look below it tells you

3)apply kernel options (this is temporary to get it to boot)

4)it should boot now

5)in terminal sudo nano /etc/default/grub
A)enter your password

6)apply kernel options (permently)
A)ctrl o (to save)
b)ctrl x (to exit)

7)update-grub

8)shutdown -r now

9)It should finally work!!!!!!!!:p;):D:):P