Some automatic update(s) messed up my computer (Gnome)

[bmathise]

Hi,
I have had Ubuntu 9.10 for 6 months, and it worked like a charm. Then I decided to upgrade to 10.04 because it is Long Term Support. I upgraded using the software upgrade tool. So far so good. When I rebooted my old computer, it wouldn't run the new kernel, so I was stuck with the old one from 9.10. OK, this worked, and I was sort of satisfied. Then, about a week ago, I ran some automatic updates and rebooted (not a required reboot). After that I could only get the CLI to work. Gnome (or gdm) will absolutely not start. I tried to install Kubuntu-desktop to see if that would work, and it does. I can use KDE, but I don't like it and would like to have Gnome back.

I can't remember which updates made the mess. Are there any logs I can check?

The new kernel(s) just will not boot. I can't boot from the 10.04 live CD. It halts after showing the Ubuntu logo with 4 dots (progress bar). After that nothing happens. When I boot the old kernel (2.6.31.20-generic), I get these messages, among a heap of similar messages:

[29.218139] end_request: I/O error, dev sr0, sector0
[29.702008] via686a 0000:00:04.4: base address not set - upgrade BIOS or use force_addr=0xaddr
[92.344017] BUG: soft lockup - CPU#0 stuck for 61s! [events/0:6]

If that is of any help.

I dual boot Ubuntu and Windows 2000. Windows boots fine. Grub works fine. I can boot from Slax, DSL and Debian Live CDs without problems. I no longer have the 9.10 Live CD (gave it away to someone who needed it more than me ... ). When I try to download the 9.10 CD image, I can boot from it, but I need username and password to log in (what the ...!!)

I would really like to get my primary OS with Gnome back, because I'm not going back to Windows and I will not be using KDE. Both feel like a strait jacket compared to the relaxing and easy-to-find-things Gnome.
Thanks for any help

Bjorn

[mrinehart93]

Is the 10.04 you're trying to use x86 or x64? I just mention that because I see that the error message is telling you to upgrade the BIOS on your motherboard, which leads me to believe that your CPU doesn't support x64 and that you need a newer BIOS. I may be completely wrong though, so take my guess with a grain of salt. It was just a shot in the dark.

[acrazyplayer]

Thats kinda strange, try typing "sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop" also you could get rid of almost everything kde by going here http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/puregnome

[bmathise]

mrinehart93: I use 32 bit x86. My computer is about 10 years old and has an AMD Athlon 900 MHz CPU and 1024 MB RAM.

acrazyplayer: I tried that. All I get is that I already have the latest packages. And, yes, I ran sudo apt-get update first . Getting rid of KDE won't be a problem. I just want Gnome back. Thanks for the tip, though.

dino99: I'll try to remove splash and see if that works. I assume you are talking about Grub? I do see the Grub menu, and I use it to dual boot between Ubuntu and Win 2k. Where should I add force_addr=0xaddr ? Instead of splash ?

[bmathise]

I didn't find any splash in the Grub menu. There was a reference to quiet splash (I think it was) and after each menuitem there was a line that said quiet. Does that have anything to do with it?
And where should I add force_addr=0xaddr?

[bmathise]

[29.218139] end_request: I/O error, dev sr0, sector0
[29.702008] via686a 0000:00:04.4: base address not set - upgrade BIOS or use force_addr=0xaddr
[92.344017] BUG: soft lockup - CPU#0 stuck for 61s! [events/0:6]

Fotgot to say, I get these mesages when I boot kernel 2.6.31.20-generic. It does boot, but it boots into the command line. Gnome won't run, but I can start KDE. This kernel, and Gnome, worked fine until I installed some automatic updates. The problem is most likely related to these updates. I can't remember which applications were updated. Are the any logs I could check?

[dino99]

there are some issues with plymouth and removing splash on the boot line often help, and add force_addr=0xaddr as its needed

if you dont see the grub menu , at end of bios process, hold "shift" key down to see it, edit the boot line (e), make the changes, then boot (x)