When you upgrade your Ubuntu system, you may sometimes encounter a booting issue where the system gets stuck on “Loading initial ramdisk…” This can be a frustrating issue, especially if you’re not sure how to fix it. In this article, we will explore some possible solutions that could help you resolve this issue.
Understanding the Problem
The “Loading initial ramdisk…” message appears during the boot process when the system is loading the initial ramdisk, a temporary file system used by the kernel during boot. If your system gets stuck at this point, it means that there’s a problem that’s preventing the boot process from proceeding.
Possible Solutions
1. Workaround with intel-microcode
One possible workaround involves modifying the intel-microcode settings. The intel-microcode package provides microcode updates for Intel CPUs, which can help improve the performance and reliability of your system.
To implement this workaround, you need to add IUCODE_TOOL_INITRAMFS=no to /etc/default/intel-microcode and then run update-initramfs -u.
Here’s what these commands do:
IUCODE_TOOL_INITRAMFS=no: This tells the system not to include the microcode updates in the initial ramdisk.update-initramfs -u: This updates the initial ramdisk. The-uoption tells the command to update only the most recently installed version.
To apply these changes, open a terminal and run the following commands:
echo "IUCODE_TOOL_INITRAMFS=no" | sudo tee -a /etc/default/intel-microcode
sudo update-initramfs -uAfter running these commands, try rebooting your system to see if the issue is resolved.
2. BIOS Update
Another possible solution is to update your BIOS. Some users have reported that updating their BIOS fixed the booting issue.
To update your BIOS, you need to visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest BIOS update for your specific model. Then, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to install the update.
Please note that updating the BIOS can be risky, and if done incorrectly, it can cause serious problems. Therefore, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
3. Kernel Compatibility
The booting issue may also be related to kernel compatibility. If you can boot successfully with an older kernel version, it suggests that there may be a problem with the newer kernel.
To boot with an older kernel, restart your system and hold down the Shift key during boot to open the GRUB menu. Then, select Advanced options for Ubuntu and choose the older kernel version.
If booting with the older kernel works consistently, you may want to avoid upgrading to the newer kernel until the issue is resolved.
4. Reinstalling Ubuntu
If none of the above solutions work, you may consider reinstalling Ubuntu. However, remember to back up your important data before proceeding.
Conclusion
The “Loading initial ramdisk…” stuck issue can be a frustrating problem, but there are several possible solutions that you can try. Whether it’s modifying the intel-microcode settings, updating your BIOS, checking for kernel compatibility, or reinstalling Ubuntu, one of these methods should help you get your system back up and running.
Remember, if you’re not comfortable performing these steps on your own, it’s always a good idea to seek help from a professional or a knowledgeable friend. And always make sure to back up your data before making any major changes to your system.
To access the /etc/default/intel-microcode file, open a terminal and run the command sudo nano /etc/default/intel-microcode. This will open the file in the nano text editor, allowing you to make changes.
To update the BIOS, you need to visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest BIOS update for your specific model. Then, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to install the update. It’s important to carefully read and follow the instructions to avoid any potential issues.
To open the GRUB menu during boot, restart your system and hold down the Shift key. This should bring up the GRUB menu, where you can select different boot options, including older kernel versions.
To back up your data before reinstalling Ubuntu, you can use an external storage device such as a USB drive or an external hard drive. Simply copy and paste your important files and folders onto the external storage device. Alternatively, you can use backup software or cloud storage services to create a backup of your data.
