1.0.8 Grub Menu Issue

[P.H.]

I started using Lite 1.0.8 about 7 months ago, my first immersion into Linux/Ubuntu. I recently fooled with Lubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 12.04, and Lite 2.0, figured I'm comfortable enough with Linux. I had problems with every one of those distros...mostly freeze ups, boot/startup problems and weird "scrambled" screens where I had to power off my pc altogether in order to fix it. With Lite 2.0 I had Firefox and XBMC issues, Lubuntu and XBMC didn't work, Ubuntu had me install hardware support then ceased to bootup.  I ended up reinstalling 1.0.8 and it is running like a dream. Stable, fast, smooth, not bulky...I didn't realize how well it works til I experimented with the other distros. 1.0.8 is awesome for the everyday desktop user, which is me. The slogan is true, "it just works"!

But my problem is...I can't get a grub menu to show up. I run sudo update-grub so I know my OS option is 6 arrow keys down but im looking at a black screen. My monitor says "frequency out of range" where the menu should be. Do I edit the settings thru gksudo leafpad command? The bootup/splash screen is my one fuss with LL.

[Scott]

Hi P.H.

I didn't read the entire post but I think this link may help:

Fixing the black screen after grub boot-up
http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/842

If that doesn't work try Googling the words "grub blank screen" or something similar
https://www.google.com/#q=grub+blank+screen

[P.H.]

Excellent Scott(O)! Thank you very much. I have a text menu that automatically shows up now. This is the page that showed  me.

http://askubuntu.com/questions/161297/why-does-my-screen-blank-out-for-the-duration-of-the-grub-boot-menu

[Scott]

Hi P.H.

Regarding this portion of the orginal post

...I ended up reinstalling 1.0.8 and it is running like a dream. Stable, fast, smooth, not bulky...I didn't realize how well it works til I experimented with the other distros. 1.0.8 is awesome for the everyday desktop user, which is me. The slogan is true, "it just works"!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the 3.8 kernel in LL 108 will reach its end of support life on 8-8-2014. Open a terminal and run the command hwe-support-status for more information.

Your options at this point would be to upgrade to LL2.0 (which you already tried and doesn't work for you), use the system as is with the end of life kernel (probably not the best choice), upgrade an LL108 install to the next supported kernel (more on this below), try an install of LL106 (uses the 3.2 kernel which is still supported).

Upgrading an LL108 install to the next kernel (also the same kernel in LL2.0) is probably a long shot considering LL2.0 didn't work well on your system but it's still an option. Who knows, it could work.

Again, sorry to have to deliver the bad news right after you find a good fit for your hardware.

~Scott

You can read more about it here
https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/index.php?topic=645.0

[P.H.]

I'm familiar with that update. I will give it a go.

[Scott]

Hi P.H.
Please post back after the upgrade. I'm very curious to know how it goes. Thanks, Scott

[P.H.]

To cut to the chase:
-after the upgrade my display got stuck at 800x640
-reinstalled drivers with no change
-installed nvidia-173 (oops)
-have fixed/reinstalled proper nvidia-304 driver
-now Im unable to login- my password is now failing

I had an Error! during upgrade. "bad return status for module build". Seemed to be a virtualbox fail so I installed virtualbox then and there. Updated again, rebooted and i got the "supported til april 2017" message. Success i thought. Then my monitor got stuck at 800x640 res. I tried to install drivers...nvidia 304 sais "activated but not in use" so activated 304-updates. No change in resolution. Then I made the mistake of installing 173...couldnt get pass the tty login screen. Now I have purged and reinstalled the current 304 driver. But now I cant login. My password is no good. Tried to reset it with different edits but no luck yet.

[P.H.]

Can the PAE kernal be used instead of the Trusty kernal? Ive never had a problem with the PAE.

[Scott]

Can the PAE kernal be used instead of the Trusty kernal? Ive never had a problem with the PAE.

Yes, I would imagine this would be automatic. If you have LL108/32bit installed to being with, a Trusty upgrade would bring in a 32bit PAE kernel. For clarity, by upgrade I'm referring to this process:

Install a newer HWE version by running:
sudo apt-get install linux-generic-lts-trusty linux-image-generic-lts-trusty

I'm not 100% clear on what you're asking so let me know if I've answered the wrong question.

Scott

[Jerry]

As of 12.04, all 32bit Ubuntu kernels are pae.

[P.H.]

My question is am I safe running with the 3.2.0-67 pae or do I have to upgrade to 3.13.0-32 kernal eventually?

I ended up re-installing 1.0.8 and i am succesfully booting into the 3.2.0-generic-pae (i686). Now that I can see the grub menu I am able to do this. The default kernal is 3.8.0-34-generic but i'm not booting into it, only the pae. I'm wary of updating to trusty headers and images since I believe thats where the problems start, or maybe i'm fouling something up in conjunction to the updates. Im still a newbie with most of this.