Ubuntu Won't Boot... And Neither Will A LiveCD
 

Hi All,

I have an Ubuntu machine that up and decided it was done booting.

I tried various live CDs to see if it would boot and they all failed.

My last attempt was with Knoppix - and it failed at a section that said...

"Starting DRM and Framebuffer Mode"

That was the last line.

Could this be a memory H/W issue? I have no clue, but I would appreciate some help.

I also tried to load a boot repair disk, but it wouldn't load, either.

TIA...

If it fails with multiple Live CDs, as well as the installed OS, it definitely sounds as if something in the machine is giving up the ghost. I would say it is almost certainly not a software problem.

If it's a desktop, try opening up the case and making sure that all connectors and the memory modules are properly seated, including any PCI cards.

Here's more about the DRM module: http://dri.freedesktop.org/wiki/DRM

Start with memtest. See bios for any clues. Did memory or other settings change? Check power and temps. Carefully reseat all connections if you feel safe doing it. Observe esd precautions. Carefully inspect board or other parts for some obvious failure.

Forget any attempts at repair to the disk OS for now. The hardware is totally at fault.

I did a memtest off the XUbuntu Live CD and it ran for almost 24 hours. I checked it at 88% and then I went back about an hour later and the screen was blank - nothing was there.

I have two memory sticks, so I took out one and tested only the other - both times Knoppix stalled at the "Starting DRM and Framebuffer Mode".

I did notice that my CPU heat sink / fan assembly looked to not lock very well - I can envision where the heat sink might not have made good contact with the CPU.

What should I look for in the BIOS?

How do I check power and temps?

TIA...

Member Response
 

Hi,

If the HSF for CPU has moved or dislodged then you should power down system. Then remove the HSF, clean the pad or compound from mating surfacce for both CPU surface and HSF surface. Be careful not to scratch either then apply compound to the CPU surface. Look at: How To Correctly Apply Thermal Paste | Hardware Secrets or Thermal Compound Application - CPUs - CPU-Components

HTH!

Many bios's have health numbers and some times you may have to use temp numbers from programs or use digital volt meters for tests.

It helps to have known good parts to test but few home users have that ability.