2016-06-15
My simple personal fix: Reversion to Ubuntu 12.04.

2016-06-07

I think this is a known Ubuntu 15.04 bug. I've tried some solutions posted by other users but they don't seem to work for me. The cursor just keeps on moving from left to right. My only way to power off my Dell laptop is to depress the power button until the machine really shuts down.

2016-06-13
Ubuntu 15.04 does not restart either!

Any help will be much appreciated.

Julianvb

Try holding down Ctrl + Alt + F1 or F2 to drop to a shell. Than run this:
If that doesn't work make this change to the grub file:

<Or> try it without irqpoll:-

Is the screen black or purple when that happens? (details plz)

Hi, ZTcoracat,

Thank you very much for your help. I've just tried your suggestions. Ubuntu 15.04 still fails to shutdown. However, Linux returns the following err when I run
Please see my attached .jpg screenshot. The screen is black when Ubuntu 15.04 attempts to shutdown to no avail.

Julianvb

Attached Thumbnails

 

Looking at the screenshot you posted it looks like splash is not found and grub needs updated.
Look at your kernel line when your distro first boots up.

Is the work 'splash' in the kernel line?

If not you'll need to edit the kernel line.

Your kernel line should look similar to the pic in this link.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/KernelBootParameters

-::-I'm surprised that sudo shutdown -h now didn't work.-::-

2016-06-13

Thanks. Editing GRUB menu doe not solve shutdown issue or enable Ubuntu 15.04 to restart.

Julianvb

Is the word 'splash' in the kernel line?

Yes. I even re-installed Ubuntu 15.04 from the same DVD a few months ago without making any headway.

By the way, I've seen numerous reports on this well-known Ubuntu 15.04 system bug at various Linux-support websites but few workable solutions. I think Canonical must have tested Ubuntu 15.04 fairly thoroughly before releasing it.

Julianvb

It sounds like it could be a bug julianvb.
Did you report it?

Have you tried the these answers in this link?
http://askubuntu.com/questions/63034...-wont-shutdown

-::- -::- -::- -::- -::- -::- -::-
If everything I've suggested has failed I have 2 last ideas.

You could try recompiling the kernel and see if that helps.
In some cases recompiling the kernel makes things that didn't work before work afterwards.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile
http://www.berkes.ca/guides/linux_kernel.html

Aside from that the only other suggestion I can give you is to download the new Ubuntu 16.04 and perform a fresh installation. It's not a good idea to keep doing hard shut downs; it can comprise the fs.
http://releases.ubuntu.com/16.04/

I haven't reported this problem as a system bug as I am still under the weather. I agree with you that it would be much better and simpler to try Ubuntu 16.04.

Thanks very much again.

Julianvb

2016-06-14

I've just tested both the 64-bit and 32-bit versions 0f Ubuntu 16.04 with no improvements.

Actually matters got worse as Ubuntu 16.04 now rejects most of the simple aliases contained in my personal ~/.bash_aliases file because of "Too many parameters!" They have been working with 64-bit Ubuntu 15.04, 32-bit Ubuntu 12.04 and 32-bit LM17.1 for years on the same Dell laptop and other computers.

Any help will be appreciated.

Julianvb

Wow; sorry to hear of the disappointment.
What kernel is Ubuntu 15.04 using?

I see your dealing with looking at this chart. Ubuntu 14.04's time is almost up.
http://www.ubuntu.com/info/release-end-of-life

I would try re-compiling the kernel and if that doesn't work roll back to a kernel you know worked with your pc. That kernel would be what Ubuntu 14.04 came with most likely.

If your Dell is old it may be that there isn't support for it in the kernel. (kernel regression)

I've told you everything I know to try. I'm sorry I'm out of ideas.

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2016-06-15

Ztcoracat,

I really can't thank you enough for your patient continuous help. This morning I decided to revert to my good old reliable Ubuntu 12.04 in spite of the handy new features offered by the newer Ubuntu releases. What a relief it's to have something you can rely on day in and day out.

julianvb

You're very Welcome.

Glad to hear that Ubuntu 12.04 is working for you.

I encourage you to report that as a bug so the Developers will see it and work on it when they can.

Correction:

What is the proper procedure to report an Ubuntu distro bug from LQ? I tried reporting a glaring website problem at launchpad.net and gave up because I found the 'administrative' people not very cooperative. I bet they have yet to fix it even now. I think the key explanation may be cost.

Thanks for your suggestion.

julianvb

I could be mistaken but I don't think you can report a bug with LQ.

Sorry to hear that the administrative people were not very cooperative.
-::-You know; they answer to a higher power too.-::-

Canonical is the owner of the Ubuntu Project so I would write to them since you got the response that you did with Launch Pad.

http://www.canonical.com/

If you'd like you could write to the CEO: Andrea Kates of Launch Pad in the below link.
<OR> write to the company that funds Launch Pad and that will most defiantly turn some heads.

https://www.launchpadcentral.com/about-us

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