update failure in 10.10 has messed up ubuntu

**chaozuper** · April 8th, 2011

Hi. Today, I installed Ubuntu 10.10 on a desktop computer, using a working live disk. While installing, i opted not to install updates. I restarted when installation was complete and ubuntu was working fine. But when I tried to do an update, it got stuck at

Code:

Running post-installation trigger man-db

Then the screen went really dark and ubuntu completely froze up. i switched off the computer, switched it on again, and got this error:

Code:

uncompression error 

--System halted

I restarted again, and the GRUB menu appeared (i think that's what it's called). I selected Linux 2.6.35-22-generic (recovery) and got another error when the computer was "Loading initial ramdisk". I restarted AGAIN, this time selecting Linux 2.6.35-22-generic from the GRUB. But this just put the computer into a loop of rebooting and showing the GRUB menu. I tried Linux 2.6.35-22-generic again, this time getting this:

Code:

error: couldn't read file

This is a real problem for me, as i don't have very much experience with ubuntu. Sorry the post is so long. Thanks, chaozuper.

**mörgæs** · April 8th, 2011

The screen turning dark grey is not an error. It only means that there is a heavy work load. When you see it again, just give the machine some time.

Best is to install all updates as soon as possible, that is during installation.

**chaozuper** · April 9th, 2011

well, i switched the computer back on this morning and ubuntu loaded up! the update manager told me i should do a partial upgrade, so i did that but the screen went completely black with only my cursor left whilst upgrading (not the same as before). i rebooted and now i'm getting this error again:

Code:

uncompression error

--System halted

and also a new one:

Code:

error: reloc offset is out of the segment

any more help would be greatly appreciated

EDIT: just tried reinstalling 10.10 using live disk and got this error

Code:

Input/output error during read on /dev/sda

**mörgæs** · April 9th, 2011

Partial upgrades are dangerous:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1641400

The input/output error could (among other things) be a sign of a hard drive going bad. You could try wiping it completely with Killdisk and see if it still reports errors.

Killdisk has an ISO which burns to a CD just like Ubuntu.
http://www.killdisk.com/

**chaozuper** · April 9th, 2011

so i could just run killdisk on the computer, then try installing ubuntu? or would i have to do extra stuff to get it to work?

**mörgæs** · April 9th, 2011

Yes, just run Killdisk and install. Since the machine seems to have some trouble with 10.10, I would try 10.04.2, which is supported two years from now.

**chaozuper** · April 9th, 2011

ok, i tried killdisk, but it just stays at 0%. i'm using all the default options.

EDIT: could it possibly be that my hard drive has failed?

**mörgæs** · April 10th, 2011

Yes, it sounds like a hard drive going bad. I assume that you have not changed cable connections and the like.

There are many ideas on the web about how to bring a dying hard drive back to life, but it is not worth the while. A new (or used) hard drive is so cheap that there is no point in messing with the old one.