Hard hang/freeze after installing

[GreyGeek]

Yes, with the ram testing program in grub.

[eamner]

Yes, with the ram testing program in grub.

Done. No errors at all.
Proceeding to install Kubuntu 32-b. As soon as it is done I'll install the Nvidia driver and test.

[GreyGeek]

Mmmm.... A 64bit box that can't run a 64b OS.

[eamner]

Mmmm.... I 64bit box that can't run a 64b OS.

Mystery.

Anyway, I installed 32b.
When I tried installing the nvidia driver I got a conflict with the Nouveau driver which prevents the installation of the nvidia. However I found this guide in order to fix that. I will try this tonight, although I'm not sure it works:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/48141...nstead-nouveau

Question: is it safe to use the "ubuntu-x-swat" ppa? or should I try another? I tried installing the nvidia driver running the downloaded driver from nvidia but not sure if it's better using a ppa.

[GreyGeek]

The x-updates package was for X.org drivers, and Xenial doesn't use X.org. I don't think you need it for 16.04.
And, your problem shows how bi-polar Xenial is at the moment. Xenial uses systemd services and although Upstart scripts are in /etc/init.d/, so you can use

To stop the display manager use the following command
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
gdm is for gnome display manager. If you are using kde then use kdm. If you are using lightdm as your display manager use sudo service lightdm stop
Now, run the driver package that you downloaded from Nvidia’s website.
sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86-260.19.44.run
Note: If you still get the error related to nouveau drivers then you are probably required to update the initramfs disk. Probably it might be configured to load the nouveau drivers. Don't reboot or poweroff, run this command to update the initramfs disk.
sudo update-initramfs -u
Now reboot and repeat the step 3. This time things should go smoothly.

EXCEPT you should replace gdm with sddm because sddm is the default-display-manager.

Using systemctl you can stop, disable and mask sddm:
systemctl stop sddm
systemctl disable sddm
And, something Upstart/sysVinit doesn't do, lnk the script to the null file, so it can never run (unless it is unmasked):
systemctl mask sddm

:~$ systemctl status sddm
● sddm.service - Simple Desktop Display Manager
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/sddm.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Wed 2016-09-28 07:21:24 CDT; 3h 11min ago
Docs: man:sddm(1)
man:sddm.conf(5)
Process: 1037 ExecStartPre=/bin/sh -c [ "$(cat /etc/X11/default-display-manager 2>/dev/null)" = "/usr/bin/sddm" ] (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Main PID: 1042 (sddm)
CGroup: /system.slice/sddm.service
├─1042 /usr/bin/sddm
└─1119 /usr/lib/xorg/Xorg -nolisten tcp -auth /var/run/sddm/{4544b7c0-e1a0-47b2-9276-14fa73462ce5} -background none -noreset -displayfd 17 vt7

Sep 28 07:21:57 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm-helper[1505]: pam_kwallet(sddm:auth): (null): pam_sm_authenticate
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm-helper[1505]: pam_kwallet5(sddm:auth): (null): pam_sm_authenticate
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm[1042]: Oops, secure memory pool already initialized
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm-helper[1505]: [PAM] returning.
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm[1042]: Authenticated successfully
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm-helper[1505]: pam_kwallet(sddm:setcred): pam_kwallet: pam_sm_setcred
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm-helper[1505]: pam_kwallet5(sddm:setcred): pam_kwallet5: pam_sm_setcred
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm[1042]: Auth: sddm-helper exited successfully
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm[1042]: Greeter stopped.
Sep 28 07:21:58 jerry-Aspire-7739 sddm[1042]: Session started

If you are used to Upstart/sysVinit then useful cheatsheet is here.

[eamner]

Well, after following your instructions, I finally could install the Nvidia driver. Just to be sure I typed:

lshw -c driver

...and it says my driver is nvidia.

Yeeee...!

Now, you didn't mention this, but after reboot I wasn't getting any image, other than the "Kubuntu" logo on a black screen... so, I figured out sddm was still "masked". So I "unmasked" it with systemctl. And then I started it, and voila! I was in the graphic console again.
My question is, how do I make sddm started automatically again? I have found some clues googling around but I'd like to have your input.

By the way, I've been working in Kubuntu for 1 hour now. Freeze free!
Of course I need to continue testing but it's looking good so far. I still haven't installed anything (other than the nvidia driver).

[Snowhog]

I still haven't installed anything (other than the nvidia driver).

My suggestion? Don't install anything that isn't necessary/required to get everything working on/in your system that should be working. THEN you can look at installing things you want, and when you do, keep a good record of when and what you are installing. Install items 'one at a time' and make sure it works as it should, and reboot to verify that everything still works.

Some will say "unnecessary extra work", but doing this will save you unnecessary grief, pain, and time should something not go as expected, and make it a lot easier to troubleshoot.

[GreyGeek]

...

Now, you didn't mention this, but after reboot I wasn't getting any image, other than the "Kubuntu" logo on a black screen... so, I figured out sddm was still "masked". So I "unmasked" it with systemctl. And then I started it, and voila! I was in the graphic console again.
My question is, how do I make sddm started automatically again? I have found some clues googling around but I'd like to have your input.

By the way, I've been working in Kubuntu for 1 hour now. Freeze free!
Of course I need to continue testing but it's looking good so far. I still haven't installed anything (other than the nvidia driver).

systemctl unmask sddm will make sddm available again.
systemctl enable sddm will make sddm able to run at bootup.
systemctl start sddm will start sddm running
systemctl status sddm will show sddm details and a green dot if it is running.
systemctl stop sddm will stop sddm if it is running.
systemctl restart sddm will stop sddm and restart it, using any changes in its config files. "reload" or "reload-or-restart" has similar functions. Man will help you.

If course, sudo is required when issuing systemctl commands.

[eamner]

My suggestion? Don't install anything that isn't necessary/required to get everything working on/in your system that should be working. THEN you can look at installing things you want, and when you do, keep a good record of when and what you are installing. Install items 'one at a time' and make sure it works as it should, and reboot to verify that everything still works.

Some will say "unnecessary extra work", but doing this will save you unnecessary grief, pain, and time should something not go as expected, and make it a lot easier to troubleshoot.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll do.
I still have ahead the configuration of the sound card (maudio 1010lt). But I'll make sure everything is clean and smooth first.

[eamner]

systemctl unmask sddm will make sddm available again.
systemctl enable sddm will make sddm able to run at bootup.
systemctl start sddm will start sddm running
systemctl status sddm will show sddm details and a green dot if it is running.
systemctl stop sddm will stop sddm if it is running.
systemctl restart sddm will stop sddm and restart it, using any changes in its config files. "reload" or "reload-or-restart" has similar functions. Man will help you.

If course, sudo is required when issuing systemctl commands.

Thanks a lot! I'll do this as soon as I get home. If everything is OK I'll mark this post as 'solved'.

[eamner]

Hello

I tried the "enable" option, and then "start" and then it would send me to the graphic login screen.
However after rebooting I was sent to the same screen with the Kubuntu logo on a black screen.

But then, googling around I found a post where a user recommended to do "dpkg-reconfigure sddm". And then after reboot the problem was solved.
I'll continue testing before installing anything else. If I find another issue I'll open another thread.
Thanks a lot for your help!!

[GreyGeek]

Hello

I tried the "enable" option, and then "start" and then it would send me to the graphic login screen.

That would be normal because a restart would kick you out to the login screen.

However after rebooting I was sent to the same screen with the Kubuntu logo on a black screen.

That would be abnormal, because an "enable" should make the sddm start up automatically at boot.

But then, googling around I found a post where a user recommended to do "dpkg-reconfigure sddm". And then after reboot the problem was solved.
I'll continue testing before installing anything else. If I find another issue I'll open another thread.
Thanks a lot for your help!!

[B]:~$ locate sddm.conf[/B]
/etc/sddm.conf
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/org.kde.kcontrol.kcmsddm.conf
/etc/init/sddm.conf
/usr/share/man/man5/sddm.conf.5.gz
/var/lib/dpkg/info/kde-config-sddm.conffiles
/var/lib/dpkg/info/sddm.conffiles
/var/lib/dpkg/info/sddm.config
[B]:~$ cat /etc/sddm.conf[/B]
[Autologin]
Relogin=false
Session=
User=

[General]
HaltCommand=
RebootCommand=

[Theme]
CursorTheme=breeze_cursors

[Users]
MaximumUid=65000
MinimumUid=1000


[B]:~$ cat /etc/init/sddm.conf[/B]
# SDDM
#
# The display manager service manages the X servers running on the
# system, providing login and auto-login services
#
# [B]based on lightdm upstart script   [COLOR=#00ff00](we are using systemd, not Upstart)[/COLOR]
[/B]
description     "SDDM"
author          "Rohan Garg <rohangarg@kubuntu.org>"

start on ((filesystem
           and runlevel [!06]
           and started dbus
           )
          or runlevel PREVLEVEL=S)

stop on runlevel [016]

respawn
respawn limit 2 15

emits login-session-start
emits desktop-session-start
emits desktop-shutdown

script
    if [ -n "$UPSTART_EVENTS" ]
    then
        # Check kernel command-line for inhibitors, unless we are being called
        # manually
        for ARG in $(cat /proc/cmdline); do
            if [ "$ARG" = "text" ]; then
                plymouth quit || : 
                stop
                exit 0
            fi
        done

        [ ! -f /etc/X11/default-display-manager -o "$(cat /etc/X11/default-display-manager 2>/dev/null)" = "/usr/bin/sddm" -o "$(cat /etc/X11/default-display-manager 2>/dev/null)" = "/usr/sbin/sddm" ] || { stop; exit 0; }
        plymouth quit
        clear >/dev/tty7
    fi
    exec sddm
end script

post-start script
    sleep 5
    clear > /dev/tty7
end script

post-stop script
        clear > /dev/tty7
        sleep 1
        if [ "$UPSTART_STOP_EVENTS" = runlevel ]; then
                initctl emit desktop-shutdown
        fi
end script


[COLOR=#ff0000][B]:~$ cat /var/lib/dpkg/info/sddm.config[/B][/COLOR]
#!/bin/sh
# Debian sddm package configuration script
# based on xdm script
# Copyright 2000-2001 Branden Robinson.
# Licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.  See the file
# /usr/share/common-licenses/GPL or <http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.txt>.

set -e

# source debconf library
. [COLOR=#ff0000]/usr/share/debconf/confmodule[/COLOR]

# set default display manager
DEFAULT_DISPLAY_MANAGER_FILE=/etc/X11/default-display-manager

OWNERS=
if db_metaget shared/default-x-display-manager owners; then
  OWNERS="$RET"
fi

CHOICES=
if db_metaget shared/default-x-display-manager choices; then
  CHOICES="$RET"
fi

if [ "$OWNERS" != "$CHOICES" ]; then
  db_subst shared/default-x-display-manager choices "$OWNERS" || :
  db_fset shared/default-x-display-manager seen false || :
fi

# debconf is not a registry; use the current contents of the default display
# manager file to pre-answer the question if possible
if [ -e "$DEFAULT_DISPLAY_MANAGER_FILE" ]; then
  CURRENT_DEFAULT=$(basename "$(grep -v '^[[:space:]]*#' \
                                "$DEFAULT_DISPLAY_MANAGER_FILE" |
                                head -n 1)")
  if [ -n "$CURRENT_DEFAULT" ]; then
    db_set shared/default-x-display-manager "$CURRENT_DEFAULT"
  fi
else
  CURRENT_DEFAULT=
  if db_get shared/default-x-display-manager; then
    CURRENT_DEFAULT="$RET"
  fi
fi

db_input high shared/default-x-display-manager || :
db_go || :

# using this display manager?
NEW_DEFAULT=
if db_get shared/default-x-display-manager; then
  NEW_DEFAULT="$RET"
fi

# move the default display manager file if we are going to change it
if [ -n "$NEW_DEFAULT" ]; then
  if [ "$NEW_DEFAULT" != "$CURRENT_DEFAULT" ]; then
    if [ -e "$DEFAULT_DISPLAY_MANAGER_FILE" ]; then
      mv "$DEFAULT_DISPLAY_MANAGER_FILE" \
         "${DEFAULT_DISPLAY_MANAGER_FILE}.dpkg-tmp"
    fi
  fi
fi
:~$

[eamner]

Additional comment:
After doing sudo apt update, and full-upgrade, I restarted and AGAIN got the black screen.
I looked at sddm and it was active and enabled. I also tried the dpkg trick, but to no avail.
So I reinstalled the Nvidia driver. BTW it said that it was already installed but I reinstalled anyway. After doing this everything went back to normal.

Question: how can I prevent this from happening again after future updates?

[Snowhog]

I'm not certain that this will help the issue here, but as you are using 'outside' drivers, installing dkms might be in order.

Dynamic Kernel Module Support