2

I have upgraded Ubuntu from 12.04 to 14.04. Afterwards, xserver couldn't start. I have downloaded the latest nvidia drivers from here and rebooted. GRUB now has the following entries:

*Ubuntu
 Advanced options for Ubuntu
 Memory test (memtest86+)
 Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)

When selecting "Advanced options for Ubuntu" the following entries are displayed:

Ubuntu, with Linux 3.13.0-34-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.13.0-34-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-54-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-54-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-47-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-47-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-46-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-46-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-44-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-44-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-42-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-42-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-41-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-41-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-40-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-40-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-23-generic
Ubuntu, with Linux 3.5.0-23-generic (recovery mode)

After, installing the drivers, however, selecting any non recovery entry would lead to a black screen with a blinking cursor. After booting into recovery mode I have deleted all nvidia drivers by running:

sudo ./usr/bin/nvidia-installer --uninstall

Now I could again boot from any kernel without GUI enabled. I've tried starting xserver from the command line by running:

startx

An error related to ~/.XAuthority has occured. Running the command again as root threw the error:

Failed to insert nvidia. No such symbol

Next, I tried reinstalling xserver:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall xorg

The command was run successfully but I'm now getting the following errors when attempting to startx:

(EE) module ABI major version (6) doesn't match the server's version (8)
xinit: connection to X server lost
waiting for X server to shut down (EE) Server terminated successfully (0). Closing log file.

Why does this occur?

Edit #1:

I have installed nvidia-current-updates:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-current-updates

and ran startx again. The output was:

xauthL: timeout in locking authority file ~/.Xauthority

Afterwards, the screen kept flashing. I had to jump into terminal mode. The output is as follows:

waiting for X server to accept connections

and a screen of lines:

No protocol specified

Edit #2:

After removing the .Xauthority file and running startx the following error is shown:

(EE) module ABI major version (6) doesn't match the server's version (8)
xinit: connection to X server lost
waiting for X server to shut down (EE) Server terminated successfully (0). Closing log file.
Sebi
  • 248

1 Answers1

2

OK So you broke X, will will have to re install the system

You will need your live DVD/USB,or you have to make one.

Boot the live medium and choose install Ubuntu

If you see an option to upgrade Ubuntu 14.04 to 14.04 (or someting like this UPGRADE is the important word) (at the top) use this to re install

If not, that's OK choose something else

Highlight your current Ubuntu installation and set its mount point to /

THIS IS THE IMPORTANT BIT There is a little box that says format on the drive make sure you UNTICK this box (eg format is disabled)

Then install, this will re install all the system files (including X) but will not change your /home folder of user details.

Reboot when it is finished

Here is the documentation on this

Mark Kirby
  • 18,529
  • 19
  • 78
  • 114
  • I've installed the nvidia-current-updates package and the result is show in the edited question. Strangely, now I cannot even drop into a terminal when I boot. Everytime I install an nvidia driver this happens: on start-up the logo flashes and then a black screen with a cursor in the top left corner is shown. – Sebi Aug 26 '14 at 08:52
  • 1
    Did you do the next step ? – Mark Kirby Aug 26 '14 at 08:55
  • 1
    Please remove this driver first sudo apt-get remove --purge nvidia-curreny-updates – Mark Kirby Aug 26 '14 at 08:56
  • I have removed the .Xauthority file. Now I get (EE) module ABI version (6) doesn't match the server's version (8)... error. +1 btw – Sebi Aug 26 '14 at 09:02
  • 1
    OK you broke X, you have two versions of files install in a big mess (they dont match your error says), but fear not I will update my answer with a fix for you soon – Mark Kirby Aug 26 '14 at 09:07
  • Thank you. This is quickly turning into a medium sized nightmare. – Sebi Aug 26 '14 at 09:09
  • 1
    The new answer will fix your X server – Mark Kirby Aug 26 '14 at 10:43
  • I've tried the solution above. I do not have an upgrade option. – Sebi Aug 30 '14 at 18:16
  • 1
    If you do not have the up[grade option you can, you can do this manually it is explained in the solution and the linked documentation, read from the line If not, that's OK choose something else – Mark Kirby Aug 31 '14 at 05:17
  • Before carrying it through I have a question: in /root I have numerous virtual drive images(.vdi files). Will the reinstallation remove them? – Sebi Sep 03 '14 at 11:08
  • 1
    Yes I think so, just back them up first and then put them back after to be safe – Mark Kirby Sep 04 '14 at 06:21