(FIXED) New install of Linux only boots every second boot

Operating Systems & Open Source Linux
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1

A few days ago I wiped my HDD on my laptop. I then installed the desktop version of Ubuntu (version 14.04.3) via usb. It seems that every time I shutdown the laptop it does not reboot correctly. It boots ok, until right before the system asks for a decryption password, but instead shows a redish screen goes black and then sits there until I force it to shutdown using the power button. After shutting down forcefully with the power button and rebooting it boots fine to desktop. Everything is normal except for this double booting issue. Have had trouble finding any other posts online for this problem. If you have any ideas on how to fix this that would be great thanks.

UPDATE

After leaving the PC sat on the black screen for quite awhile, I can touch the keyboard and it seems to wake as if it was suspended. I can then log in. Any ideas please help thanks.

--- FIX ---

After using DBAN to make sure that the drive was clean from all previous usage, I installed Ubuntu again. This time I got the black screen again for a few boots. After powering it off for a bit I started it again and it just sat on the red screen for what seemed like 20 seconds and then turned the screen off. This time I googled "Ubuntu stuck on red screen after install," well this article came up. Lo and behold, they were saying that it was due to the Radeon™ graphics card/APU being unsupported or at least not supported very well. So the solution was to supposedly add "nomodest" to the default boot options. I am still unsure of what "nomodeset" actually does or changes, but it seemed to work. Ubuntu is still slow to boot (around 45 seconds to desktop) but I will assume that is just the drive being slow, but in the end it is booting to the lock screen every time now, as it should.

Thanks to all who helped, and I'm glad I figured it all out.

2

Did you choose to encrypt the home folder during install? That may cause it.

3

I'm not sure. I don't remember having that option. Any way I could check this?

4

Well, it comes up with prompt to decrypt so I'd say so.

The option comes up during install like this:

installer.jpg775x566 61.3 KB
maybe you accidentally clicked it.

5

Referencing this way of checking if it is encrypted. It doesn't appear to be encrypted.

6

Well, if you haven't been able to get much done in it, try backing up and re-installing. If this doesn't fix the problem it may have something to do with the drive itself.

7

Very possible. I had to wipe my drive because windows self destructed it seemed. It wouldn't boot at all, and windows recovery would fail when using the "Wipe all data and re-install" . In windows the drive seemed to be pinned >80% usage for no apparent reason.

8

When re-installing, go into gparted on the live disk and go to device -> create partition table to make absolute sure you have wiped it.

9

Ok will do thanks for the help.

10

no problem!

11

If you have space when you re-install increase your swap file size too just in case. I had similar issues in very weak systems or VMs. This is probably different but better be on the safe side.

14

Can you explain in detail how I can do this?

15

How did you install the OS?Did you do a automatic install?

If so they try and do a manual install instead of choosing the automatic method. Basically make the partitions manually. You need to make two partitions. One will be an ext4 one (mount point /) where the OS will be installed. Beside it you make a swap partition. (if you have space make it like 4 or 6 gb or sth) and then install the OS on the ext4 partition. If you also have windows on make absolutely sure that you will not change anything on its partition.

17

Hoping this is correct. Let me know! Thanks again.

18

Fixed. Thanks man!

1 Like
19

NP. Glad I could help.