Ubuntu colonel update 3.2.0.38.46 to .39.47 issues

Graff · 2013-03-19, 18:50

Both of my GPU-equipped Ubuntu 12.04-LTS boxes have just been
"upgraded" from kernel 3.2.0.38.46 to 3.2.0.39.47 by the Update Manager.
Following the required restart, the systems can be politely described
as extremely unstable. For the video display, I'm using the on-board
graphics device (an Intel 915, I believe). After a short time, the display
freezes and the pointer disappears. The only option is to reboot. The
display of text entered into terminal windows is corrupted or invisible.
As they stand, the two boxes are unusable at the moment.

Has anyone experienced grief like this with the latest patch installations?

Gareth

Dubslow · 2013-03-19, 18:53

If you take a look through `man apt-get` and remember which packages it updated (possibly in a log file), you ought to be able to tell apt-get to install an older version.

Graff · 2013-03-19, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubslow

If you take a look through `man apt-get` and remember which packages it updated (possibly in a log file), you ought to be able to tell apt-get to install an older version.

Got through one page of the man output and the system froze.

Gareth

Dubslow · 2013-03-19, 19:02

If you have other computers, even Windows ones available, you can find pretty much all GNU-Linux manuals online (by Googling `man apt-get`, as it were).

PS The folks over at ubuntuforums.org might be able to give you a more direct solution.

Xyzzy · 2013-03-19, 20:38

Use CTRL+ALT+F1 to get to a text terminal. All of the tools you need will be there. Logs for Aptitude will be in the /var/logs/apt directory.

WRT the graphics, are you using Unity? If so, perhaps try 2D. You can select this at the login screen. We sometimes have big problems with Compiz (?) and 3D.

If you have an old PCI video card you could chuck that in there just to troubleshoot. We keep an old 3DFX Voodoo card around for such times.

FWIW, regarding Ubuntu updates, we feel no pressing need to do updates immediately. Maybe set them to manual and do them occasionally? (We think there is an option somewhere to disallow kernel upgrades?)

In a worst case scenario, you can boot single-user text-mode by editing the GRUB screen at boot initiation. (You can also boot a Ubuntu CD/USB key in "live" mode and mount your drive and look at it.)

Graff · 2013-03-19, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

Use CTRL+ALT+F1 to get to a text terminal. All of the tools you need will be there. Logs for Aptitude will be in the /var/logs/apt directory.

WRT the graphics, are you using Unity? If so, perhaps try 2D. You can select this at the login screen. We sometimes have big problems with Compiz (?) and 3D.

If you have an old PCI video card you could chuck that in there just to troubleshoot. We keep an old 3DFX Voodoo card around for such times.

FWIW, regarding Ubuntu updates, we feel no pressing need to do updates immediately. Maybe set them to manual and do them occasionally? (We think there is an option somewhere to disallow kernel upgrades?)

In a worst case scenario, you can boot single-user text-mode by editing the GRUB screen at boot initiation. (You can also boot a Ubuntu CD/USB key in "live" mode and mount your drive and look at it.)

System is set to download updates, but installation is triggered manually.

As for Unity, I have no idea. It's one of your old machines :-)

A look in /var/log/apt/history.log shows mostly just the new kernel files.
I don't see a GRUB screen on boot, unlike my dual-OS laptop.
I'm looking to see if it possible to revert to kernel 3.2.0.38.46.

Gareth

Graff · 2013-03-20, 02:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graff

I'm looking to see if it possible to revert to kernel 3.2.0.38.46.

I reverted both machines back to 3.2.0.38.46. One is sort of behaving now:
both GPUs are running. The other is still acting up. I log in and start
opening terminal windows. After a random interval, the screen goes black.
A reboot is the only way I found to get control back. By restricting the
number of terminal windows I have open and sticking to one workspace,
I have now got both GPUs working. I will see if both machines are
still working in the morning...

Gareth

Dubslow · 2013-03-20, 02:15

I guess it wasn't the kernel then (which it was never really likely to be).

What other packages did that update mess with?

Graff · 2013-03-20, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubslow

I guess it wasn't the kernel then (which it was never really likely to be).

What other packages did that update mess with?

From the /var/log/apt/history.log file (split one per line for easier
reading):

Code:

Start-Date: 2013-03-19  18:36:43
Install: 
linux-headers-3.2.0-39-generic:amd64 (3.2.0-39.62), 
linux-headers-3.2.0-39:amd64 (3.2.0-39.62), 
linux-image-3.2.0-39-generic:amd64 (3.2.0-39.62)
Upgrade: 
libsmbclient:amd64 (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.3, 3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4), 
smbclient:amd64 (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.3, 3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4), 
libevince3-3:amd64 (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.5, 3.4.0-0ubuntu1.6), 
linux-generic:amd64 (3.2.0.38.46, 3.2.0.39.47), 
libwbclient0:amd64 (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.3, 3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4), 
samba-common:amd64 (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.3, 3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4), 
evince-common:amd64 (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.5, 3.4.0-0ubuntu1.6), 
linux-headers-generic:amd64 (3.2.0.38.46, 3.2.0.39.47), 
linux-image-generic:amd64 (3.2.0.38.46, 3.2.0.39.47), 
evince:amd64 (3.4.0-0ubuntu1.5, 3.4.0-0ubuntu1.6), 
linux-libc-dev:amd64 (3.2.0-38.61, 3.2.0-39.62), 
samba-common-bin:amd64 (3.6.3-2ubuntu2.3, 3.6.3-2ubuntu2.4)

Both machines were running this morning.

Gareth

2013-03-19, 18:50	#1
Graff Jul 2006 USA (UT-5) via UK (UT) 2²·59 Posts	Ubuntu colonel update 3.2.0.38.46 to .39.47 issues Both of my GPU-equipped Ubuntu 12.04-LTS boxes have just been "upgraded" from kernel 3.2.0.38.46 to 3.2.0.39.47 by the Update Manager. Following the required restart, the systems can be politely described as extremely unstable. For the video display, I'm using the on-board graphics device (an Intel 915, I believe). After a short time, the display freezes and the pointer disappears. The only option is to reboot. The display of text entered into terminal windows is corrupted or invisible. As they stand, the two boxes are unusable at the moment. Has anyone experienced grief like this with the latest patch installations? Gareth Last fiddled with by Graff on 2013-03-19 at 18:50 Reason: Tried to correct mis-spelling in title, but couldn't.

2013-03-19, 19:02	#4
Dubslow Basketry That Evening! "Bunslow the Bold" Jun 2011 40<A<43 -89<O<-88 3×29×83 Posts	If you have other computers, even Windows ones available, you can find pretty much all GNU-Linux manuals online (by Googling `man apt-get`, as it were). PS The folks over at ubuntuforums.org might be able to give you a more direct solution. Last fiddled with by Dubslow on 2013-03-19 at 19:02

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2013-03-19, 18:53	#2
Dubslow Basketry That Evening! "Bunslow the Bold" Jun 2011 40<A<43 -89<O<-88 3×29×83 Posts	If you take a look through `man apt-get` and remember which packages it updated (possibly in a log file), you ought to be able to tell apt-get to install an older version.

2013-03-19, 20:38	#5
Xyzzy "Mike" Aug 2002 2²·3·5·7·19 Posts	Use CTRL+ALT+F1 to get to a text terminal. All of the tools you need will be there. Logs for Aptitude will be in the /var/logs/apt directory. WRT the graphics, are you using Unity? If so, perhaps try 2D. You can select this at the login screen. We sometimes have big problems with Compiz (?) and 3D. If you have an old PCI video card you could chuck that in there just to troubleshoot. We keep an old 3DFX Voodoo card around for such times. FWIW, regarding Ubuntu updates, we feel no pressing need to do updates immediately. Maybe set them to manual and do them occasionally? (We think there is an option somewhere to disallow kernel upgrades?) In a worst case scenario, you can boot single-user text-mode by editing the GRUB screen at boot initiation. (You can also boot a Ubuntu CD/USB key in "live" mode and mount your drive and look at it.)

2013-03-20, 02:15	#8
Dubslow Basketry That Evening! "Bunslow the Bold" Jun 2011 40<A<43 -89<O<-88 7221₁₀ Posts	I guess it wasn't the kernel then (which it was never really likely to be). What other packages did that update mess with?