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I'm on Ubuntu 16.04 and I wanted to upgrade my boost from 1.58 to the latest version because one of the programs I was planning to use requires it. One thread suggested that I need to uninstall the older version first before installing a the newer version. So I did using:

sudo apt-get remove 'libboost-.*'

Little did I know that hitting enter and yes was the stupidest thing to do. I'm not unfamiliar with removing programs so I did not read what is on the terminal (which programs were to be removed) and my fingers were really faster than my eyes. So when I noticed that the programs in my dashboard (e.g. libreoffice) started to disappear I thought I had to stop the run, which I did. However, the damage has been done. Upon restarting my computer, it's been stuck on the ubuntu splash page with the five dots still changing their colors. It's like that for almost 2 hours now. I'm stupid and I badly need help. Oh, my poor data.

Thank you.

jop
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1 Answers1

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  1. Switch to a virtual terminal so you can execute commands by pressing Ctrl + Alt + F2

  2. Become root by running sudo -s

  3. Reinstall the ubuntu-desktop package using apt install ubuntu-desktop --reinstall

  4. If nothing happens and apt says it's already installed, remove the package using apt remove ubuntu-desktop and run the reinstall command (step 3) again.

  5. Once done reboot the system by typing reboot

Kristopher Ives
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  • Hi Mr. Ives, I could not access the virtual terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + F2 on the splash screen. – jop Jan 27 '19 at 07:26
  • Try other F1, F2, F3, etc. keys. – Kristopher Ives Jan 27 '19 at 07:48
  • You can also hold Shift while booting and enter into a recovery (root) terminal. – Kristopher Ives Jan 27 '19 at 07:48
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    I went to the advanced options for ubuntu in the boot menu then went to recovery mode. I enabled the network first then drop to root. I encountered temporary resolved issues which was addressed here (https://askubuntu.com/a/91595/918207). Then, I did what you suggested and everything is now okay. Thank you! – jop Jan 27 '19 at 09:03