I run LM16 on a 16GB RAM desktop. However, since a few months ago after a scheduled update, I am unable to login to my desktop after entering my login info. Specifically, no error message is shown, the screen simply fails to progress to the desktop. Does anyone know how to fix this? Subsequent updates have not helped.

hello and welcome to the forums!

a few months ago?
and you have never been able to log in after that?
how did you make "subsequent updates" then?
this post is missing crucial information.
please read the first link in my signature.

There are no updates from Official Mint Repos.
LM16 is EOL and has been for a year and a half.
A "few months"... I don't think so.

the 'fix' is upgrade.
Xenopeek is pretty direct in his communication style.
So when he says "You can download Linux Mint 17"
It's not Update Manager possible.

Read.
Ask.
Repeat.

Download the the new Linux Mint 17.2-

http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Ok, made a mistake. I am running LM17. I can enter into the OS by doing a hard reset (turn power off/on). My OS is updated. So, the problem persists.

Sometimes updates can make a mess of things. It's happened to me-
-::-If the DE somehow became misconfigured a new DE can be installed.-::-

Try dropping to a root shell prompt by holding down Ctrl+Alt+F1 <OR> Ctrl+Alt+F2.
Type in your username and password and hit Enter.
Than type starx and hit Enter.

Does that bring you to the desktop envirenment gui?

Where you by any chance configuring your KDE, Cinnamon or Mate desktop envirenment?

I have not messed with the KDE or MATE files or configuration (other than cosmetic user preferences). So every time I suspend the session, I must do a hard restart to get back into the DE. Running startx does not give better results either.

What DE are you using?

As for DE, this is Cinnamon I think. Is that what you are asking? Thanks.

Yes-

Are you able to drop to a root prompt shell by typing Ctrl + Alt + F2?

If so try running 'startx'in the terminal and that should take you to your GUI.

If not than your Cinnamon DE may have somehow become misconfigured.
So having said that you should be able to re-install Cinnamon or you could install Mate.

Do you have the Mint CD/DVD? or Live usb?

I am not sure I have the original cd. There must be a less drastic solution.

Have you tried the suggestion above of switching to a VT? If you attempt, and still can not see anything on your display, this may be a driver issue.

We could use some more information about the hardware. Sixteen GB of RAM is irrelevant and hardly helps anyone.

Even if you don't have the orginal CD you could download the new Linux Mint 17 which may solve the graphics issue. (provided it is one)

goumba's right. Consider a VT.

Post the output of:
That will give us more hardware information about your machine.

Your right-

It could be a driver issue.
I've learned that if the wrong driver is loading first; it will cause the device not to work.
Maybe modprobe <or> dmesg the driver.

1. What is a VT?

2. Output of lspci:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] RS780 Host Bridge
00:02.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] RS780 PCI to PCI bridge (ext gfx port 0)
00:06.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] RS780 PCI to PCI bridge (PCIE port 2)
00:11.0 SATA controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 SATA Controller [IDE mode]
00:12.0 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB OHCI0 Controller
00:12.1 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0 USB OHCI1 Controller
00:12.2 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB EHCI Controller
00:13.0 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB OHCI0 Controller
00:13.1 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0 USB OHCI1 Controller
00:13.2 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB EHCI Controller
00:14.0 SMBus: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SBx00 SMBus Controller (rev 3c)
00:14.1 IDE interface: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 IDE Controller
00:14.2 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA)
00:14.3 ISA bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 LPC host controller
00:14.4 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SBx00 PCI to PCI Bridge
00:14.5 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB OHCI2 Controller
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 15h Processor Function 0
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 15h Processor Function 1
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 15h Processor Function 2
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 15h Processor Function 3
00:18.4 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 15h Processor Function 4
00:18.5 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 15h Processor Function 5
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GF108 [GeForce GT 430] (rev a1)
01:00.1 Audio device: NVIDIA Corporation GF108 High Definition Audio Controller (rev a1)
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 v2.0 Gigabit Ethernet (rev c0)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU ALL!