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Asked: 2024-09-24T14:29:37+05:30 In:

What steps should I follow to boot Ubuntu in safe mode?

I’ve been having some issues with my Ubuntu system lately, and I think I might need to boot it in safe mode to troubleshoot a few things. I’ve read a bit about safe mode, but I’m still unsure about the exact steps I need to follow to get there. It feels like a bit of a maze, you know?

Here’s the situation: my computer has been freezing randomly, and I’m starting to think it might be some driver issues or maybe a misbehaving application. I want to make sure that when I boot in safe mode, I’m only running the essential stuff, so I can pinpoint what’s causing the problem without all the extra noise from other applications.

I’ve heard there’s a way to do this when you start up, but I have no clue how to access that menu where you can choose to boot in safe mode. I think it might involve holding down some keys while the system boots, but which keys? And do I need to do something fancy with my keyboard or just press them at the right moment?

Once I manage to get into safe mode, what should I do next? I assume I’ll have less functionality than normal, which is fine for troubleshooting, but are there any specific commands or logs I should check while I’m in there? I’ve been reading some forums, but it feels like everyone has different experiences, and I’m not sure which advice to follow.

Also, if I don’t know exactly what the root cause is, is there a step-by-step approach I should take to test different things? Like, should I start with drivers or look into recently installed software first?

If anyone has been through this and can share their experience or a simple guide to boot Ubuntu in safe mode, I’d really appreciate it! I’m kind of lost here, and any tips or tricks you have up your sleeve would be super helpful. Thanks in advance!

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    2 Answers


    1. To boot your Ubuntu system in safe mode, you’ll need to access the GRUB menu during the startup process. Restart your computer, and as it boots, press and hold the Shift key to bring up the GRUB menu. If you’re using an EFI system, you might need to press Esc instead. In the GRUB menu, use the arrow keys to select the Ubuntu entry you typically boot into, then press e to edit the boot parameters. Look for the line that starts with linux and ends with quiet splash. Modify this line by adding single or nomodeset before quiet splash to enable safe mode. After making the change, press F10 or Ctrl + X to boot.

      Once you’re in safe mode, Ubuntu will load with minimal drivers and services, allowing you to troubleshoot effectively. Start by checking system logs using the journalctl command or viewing logs in /var/log. Focus on /var/log/syslog and /var/log/dmesg for any errors that could indicate issues with hardware or drivers. If you’re suspecting a specific driver or application, consider rolling back recent updates or uninstalling newly installed software. A step-by-step approach could involve testing your system after each change, starting with any recently added drivers or applications, and if issues persist, consider testing hardware components or running a memory test using memtest86. Keep a record of changes made to track what has been tested, which will help narrow down the root cause of your freezing issues.




    2. Booting Ubuntu in Safe Mode


      How to Boot Ubuntu in Safe Mode

      To get your Ubuntu system into safe mode, you’ve got to work with the GRUB menu during startup. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

      1. Restart your computer.
      2. Right after your BIOS/UEFI screen (the logo of your manufacturer), start tapping the Shift key. If you see the GRUB menu, you’re golden!
      3. Once in the GRUB menu, select the option that says something like Advanced options for Ubuntu.
      4. Look for the entry that has (recovery mode) at the end and select it.

      Once you’re in recovery mode, you’ll see a menu with a few options. You’ll want to choose:

      • Drop to root shell prompt – this gives you a command line without the usual desktop environment.
      • Resume – if you just want to boot normally with limited features.

      What To Do Next?

      In safe mode (or recovery mode), you might want to do a few things:

      • Check logs for errors that might indicate what’s going wrong. You can look at the dmesg output or system logs in /var/log/syslog:
        • cat /var/log/syslog | grep -i error
      • To check for driver issues, you might want to use commands like:
        • lspci -nnk | grep "VGA" -A3
      • If you’ve installed new software recently, you could try uninstalling it using:
        • sudo apt remove name_of_software
      • Always consider running an update if you think drivers might be the issue:
        • sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

      Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

      If you’re not sure what’s causing the freezing, here’s a simple approach:

      1. Start by checking the most recent changes: New drivers or software?
      2. If you suspect hardware drivers, switching to the open-source drivers can sometimes help.
      3. Look at system resource usage with top to see if anything’s hogging your CPU or memory.

      With this approach, you should be able to narrow down the issues. Just take it one step at a time, and be patient! Troubleshooting can be a bit of a journey, but with these skills, you’ll get there.


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