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I just installed Ubuntu 18.10. After the install, I was able to boot into the desktop, navigate over to Software & Updates, and install the proprietary Nvidia drivers from Additional Drivers. I rebooted after the installation of the drivers, and now it is hanging during the boot.

The few times I've been able to get out of the infinite loading dots and to the terminal output, I've seen this message (and it can go on for hours if left alone):

A start job is running for Hold unt■ishes up( <counter> / no limit)

enter image description here

Which steps should I take next to solve this issue?

EDIT: This edit is to notify readers that I have tried the following:

  • Adding nomodeset after quiet splash in the kernel boot line options
  • Booting into an older kernel (in this case, 14.18.0-10 generic) didn't work.
  • Booting into recovery mode and fixing broken packages with dpkg
Josh
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  • Is Secure Boot disabled in your BIOS? Can you boot with the nomodeset kernel parameter? Did you install a bunch of SNAP applications after your install? Can you boot to Recovery Mode from the GRUB menu? – heynnema Mar 12 '19 at 23:42
  • Secure boot isn't on in my BIOS, nomodeset doesn't make a difference when placed after quiet splash, and booting into recovery mode and repairing broken packages doesn't work. AND completely reinstalling doesn't matter either (after installing the Nvidia driver again). – Josh Mar 13 '19 at 21:12
  • Also, booting up with kernel 4.18.0-10 generic doesn't seem to make a difference either. – Josh Mar 13 '19 at 21:16
  • Do you know how to fsck your Ubuntu partition? If not, I'll post the instructions. – heynnema Mar 13 '19 at 22:02
  • What version Nvidia drivers? What model Nvidia card? – heynnema Mar 13 '19 at 22:03
  • @heynnema GTX 670 with nividia-driver-390 – Josh Mar 17 '19 at 17:44
  • Nvidia 418.43 is the most current for your video card. – heynnema Mar 17 '19 at 18:11
  • fsck was showing a bad super block, e2fsck is saying the drive has a dos partition. I've used fdisk to reformat. Threw a GPT partition on it, and I'm reinstalling Ubuntu. – Josh Mar 17 '19 at 18:11
  • @heynnema 418 might be the latest, but nvidia-driver-390 is what is available in the Software & Drivers Additional Drivers window. It's tested. I've had a poor experience with Linux and manually installing Nvidia drivers. – Josh Mar 17 '19 at 18:12
  • After reformatting, installing again, same issue. I guess I'll reformat again and give the latest drivers a shot. – Josh Mar 17 '19 at 18:32
  • Not worried about fsck now, I just tried on a brand new hard drive. Same issue persists... – Josh Mar 19 '19 at 23:24
  • Have you verified that the .iso that you downloaded has a good checksum, indicating the it's a good download, and can properly be used to burn a DVD or build a USB flash drive? Which are you using... DVD or USB? Go to the download website, and download one of the "*sums" file, like md5sums, then in terminal do md5sum filename.iso and compare that number with what you see in the md5sums file, and make sure they match. – heynnema Mar 20 '19 at 02:57
  • @heynnema This is on a bootable USB, and the MD5 hash checks out good on the .iso used – Josh Mar 20 '19 at 18:03
  • Just to make sure we're on the same page... the last time your reinstalled Ubuntu... it booted fine... and you did or did not reinstall Nvidia 390... and then it failed? Have you tried 418.43 yet? – heynnema Mar 20 '19 at 18:11
  • @hrynnema the failure to boot only happens after installing the recommended Nvidia driver. I can boot in and use the computer just fine. Once I reboot after the driver installation, I get that start job running line, and that's only IF I manage to hit ESC before I'm looking at frozen Ubuntu boot up dots. – Josh Mar 20 '19 at 18:43
  • Also, I haven't tried 418.43 yet, I'll reinstall and try that now – Josh Mar 20 '19 at 19:38
  • Added sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa and installed nvidia-driver-418, now I boot to a black screen. – Josh Mar 20 '19 at 21:32
  • The Nvidia drivers can be a royal pain. During/after the install, did you have to "register it in MOK"? I'm not 100% sure what that even is, but I think it has to do with security. Also, is secure boot off in your BIOS? – heynnema Mar 20 '19 at 23:28
  • No secure boot, and I've never heard of "register it in MOK". :( I guess tonight I'll end up trying 18.04 out. – Josh Mar 21 '19 at 11:52
  • See https://askubuntu.com/questions/1023036/how-to-install-nvidia-driver-with-secure-boot-enabled and you might also search the Nvidia support forums for more Nvidia driver installation tips. I don't have to deal with MOK, so I'm not much help here. Short term, boot with nomodeset and at least you'll probably be able to fully boot. – heynnema Mar 21 '19 at 12:57
  • I've been able to install 18.04, install Nvidia drivers, and reboot without incident. I might just stick with the stable releases after all this. – Josh Mar 21 '19 at 21:31

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