I successfully upgraded ubuntu from version 9 to lucid and everything seemed fine I then upgraded again to the latest version 11 but towards the end of the upgrade my system simply locked up with a black screen and the keyboard showing both the caps lock and num lock key lights which is unusual on my keyboard. I left it alone for over an hour the result being no apparent change.

I rebooted and now my screen shows the following message:

GNU GRUB version 1.98-1ubuntu6

Minimal BASH-like line editing is supported for the first word, TAB lists possible command completions. Anywhere else TAB lists possible device or file completions.

grub>

I do not have a clue what to do now. Rebooting simply gives the above message. I know that the upgrade was in the clean up phase when it crashed!

Can anyone help me restore my system preferably without losing any data!

Please help...

Thanks newbie Frank

Unfortunately, I don't have any idea how to repair your system to make it bootable, I can only suggest the following:
1) google up the command(s) to run from console to copy your data files to CD/DVD.
2) make a folder (or more than one in needed) and fill each folder with a CD/DVD worth of files.
3) copy those files to media.
4) use your file manager and verify that you can see those files on the media.
5) maka a clean install of the latest Ubuntu.
6) copy your data files back to hard drive from media.

You will need to use a small disto that can be loaded entirely into RAM so that you can use the CD/DVD drive for copying your data files.

Boot the distro then remove the disk from the drive. Mount the partition that contains your data files and copy them to media.

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I would first try to fix your grub2 and see if your install actually works.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Gr...y_LiveCD_Files

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It sounds as if your Grub bootloader got hosed.

This page might help: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2

See section 8.

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Thanks for the help guys.

I don't want to reinstall and I am still trying to fix Grub. As I have a busy family life wich includes a toddler I cannot get around to the computer as much as I would like. If I have to reinstall I will not be able to get around to it until the half term, fortunately I have more than one computer at my disposal.

Best regards

Frank

Thanks for all the advice. I had to back up my files and reinstall but this all went well.

Best regards

Frank