I had to interrupt an update and now cannot get to the logon screen.

This is wheezy (3.2.0-4-amd64) on a Lenovo thinkpad.

I had been travelling for six weeks and did not want to do updates while
away. There were 109 updates to do when I got back. The process stalled
after getting about half-way through. After 40 minutes of no change, I
cancelled the update. The screen then froze. I now get past the GRUB
page (machine is dual-booted with W7) and gets to about the CUPS line,
then blanks, with cursor showing. Recovery mode is similar.

I used the install DVD to go into rescue mode, but there does not seem
to be any diagnostic facility.

I could wipe the partitions and do a completely new install, since
everything was backed up, but if there's a way to work out what's wrong
and fix it, I'd prefer it.

Thanks in advance, ....

Hi,

So you can't have your hand on a terminal? Try Ctrl+Alt+F1 and see if you have a login line.

Thanks, yes, but can only logon on as root. My working account is not recognized.

xstart is not recognized.

Well, you can try to force debian to install the packages and correct the errors due to the update by doing:

apt-get install -f

Tell me how it goes.

If you can login as root, you can run the following command in order to finish the installation of packages that weren't completely installed:

Then reboot and see if it solves the problem.

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Great, thank you, that worked.

All back to normal.

Nice you got it working. You can mark the thread as solved in the thread tools button above.

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