GNOME doesnt load (linux noob)

[normad]

Hi guys,
I'm fairly new to linux and ive only been using fedora 16 for a couple of months. Recently i used the software update tool and i think it installed the new kernel 2.5. But after that my GNOME doesnt load.
And GRUB has somehow removed the fedora recovery entry it had earlier and replaced it with the new kernel entry.
I tried running with my previous kernels (2.1, 2.3) but the result is the same.

I can see the fedora startup (the three lines) and then it shows a command line output which i think is the kernel output and it has stopped after 'Starting SENDMAIL agent'. And in that screen i can see that some process related to akmods and kmods has failed.

i can login on runlevel 2 by pressing ctrl+alt+f2 but i donno how to proceed to recover my desktop environment after that.

I tried updating my GNOME with
yum update gnome
but it says no packages to update. and
yum install gnome
says nothing to do.

Any help on recovering my desktop would be greatly appreciated.

let me know if you need more information and please tell me how to aqquire it aswell

Thanks

[sidebrnz]

Either you're not running F16 or you're not running a 2.X kernel[1] because F16 ships with a 3.x kernel. Right now, my computer's running 3.2.10-3.fc16.i686 and it's fully updated. Try running this from the command line:

uname -r

As the results will tell you what kernel you're really using. Updating, installing or reinstalling Gnome won't help unless you're able to get into X, and you aren't. If the akmods and kmods are failing, that probably means that your graphics drivers aren't loading. What kind of card do you have?

[1]Unless you're having weird problems with the 3.X kernels like my laptop does.

[normad]

Yeah sorry my bad. when i said 2.x what i meant was 3.2.x. I am running F16 on my laptop. Its an acer 4740G.

Here is the history log of the yum update that screwed up the system

    Updated     chrony-1.26-3.20110831gitb088b7.fc16.x86_64            @?fedora
    Update             1.26-5.20110831gitb088b7.fc16.x86_64            @updates
    Updated     cups-1:1.5.0-22.fc16.x86_64                            ?
    Update           1:1.5.2-1.fc16.x86_64                             @updates
    Updated     cups-libs-1:1.5.0-22.fc16.x86_64                       ?
    Update                1:1.5.2-1.fc16.x86_64                        @updates
    Updated     elfutils-0.152-1.fc16.x86_64                           @?fedora
    Update               0.153-1.fc16.x86_64                           @updates
    Updated     elfutils-libelf-0.152-1.fc16.x86_64                    @?fedora
    Update                      0.153-1.fc16.x86_64                    @updates
    Updated     elfutils-libs-0.152-1.fc16.x86_64                      @?fedora
    Update                    0.153-1.fc16.x86_64                      @updates
    Updated     flash-plugin-11.1.102.62-release.x86_64                ?
    Update                   11.1.102.63-release.x86_64                @adobe-linux-x86_64
    Updated     gtk3-3.2.3-1.fc16.x86_64                               ?
    Update           3.2.3-2.fc16.x86_64                               @updates
    Updated     gtk3-immodule-xim-3.2.3-1.fc16.x86_64                  ?
    Update                        3.2.3-2.fc16.x86_64                  @updates
    Updated     hplip-common-3.11.12-1.fc16.x86_64                     ?
    Update                   3.12.2-3.fc16.x86_64                      @updates
    Updated     hplip-libs-3.11.12-1.fc16.x86_64                       ?
    Update                 3.12.2-3.fc16.x86_64                        @updates
    Updated     ibus-1.4.0-17.fc16.x86_64                              ?
    Update           1.4.1-1.fc16.x86_64                               @updates
    Updated     ibus-gtk2-1.4.0-17.fc16.x86_64                         ?
    Update                1.4.1-1.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     ibus-gtk3-1.4.0-17.fc16.x86_64                         ?
    Update                1.4.1-1.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     ibus-libs-1.4.0-17.fc16.x86_64                         ?
    Update                1.4.1-1.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     ibus-pinyin-1.3.99.20110706-2.fc16.x86_64              @?fedora
    Update                  1.4.0-12.fc16.x86_64                       @updates
    Updated     ibus-pinyin-db-android-1.3.99.20110706-2.fc16.noarch   @?fedora
    Update                             1.4.0-12.fc16.noarch            @updates
    Updated     liberation-fonts-common-1.07.1-3.fc16.noarch           ?
    Update                              1.07.2-2.fc16.noarch           @updates
    Updated     liberation-mono-fonts-1.07.1-3.fc16.noarch             ?
    Update                            1.07.2-2.fc16.noarch             @updates
    Updated     liberation-sans-fonts-1.07.1-3.fc16.noarch             ?
    Update                            1.07.2-2.fc16.noarch             @updates
    Updated     liberation-serif-fonts-1.07.1-3.fc16.noarch            ?
    Update                             1.07.2-2.fc16.noarch            @updates
    Updated     libgee-0.6.1-3.fc16.x86_64                             @?fedora
    Update             0.6.4-1.fc16.x86_64                             @updates
    Dep-Install libpinyin-0.5.91-3.fc16.x86_64                         @updates
    Dep-Install libpinyin-data-0.5.91-3.fc16.x86_64                    @updates
    Updated     libsane-hpaio-3.11.12-1.fc16.x86_64                    ?
    Update                    3.12.2-3.fc16.x86_64                     @updates
    Updated     libtalloc-2.0.6-1.fc16.x86_64                          @?fedora
    Update                2.0.7-4.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     libtevent-0.9.13-1.fc16.x86_64                         @?fedora
    Update                0.9.15-1.fc16.x86_64                         @updates
    Updated     mdadm-3.2.3-3.fc16.x86_64                              ?
    Update            3.2.3-6.fc16.x86_64                              @updates
    Updated     mesa-dri-drivers-7.11.2-1.fc16.i686                    ?
    Updated     mesa-dri-drivers-7.11.2-1.fc16.x86_64                  ?
    Update                       7.11.2-3.fc16.i686                    @updates
    Update                       7.11.2-3.fc16.x86_64                  @updates
    Updated     mesa-dri-filesystem-7.11.2-1.fc16.i686                 ?
    Updated     mesa-dri-filesystem-7.11.2-1.fc16.x86_64               ?

[normad]

Update                          7.11.2-3.fc16.i686                 @updates
    Update                          7.11.2-3.fc16.x86_64               @updates
    Updated     mesa-libGL-7.11.2-1.fc16.i686                          ?
    Updated     mesa-libGL-7.11.2-1.fc16.x86_64                        ?
    Update                 7.11.2-3.fc16.i686                          @updates
    Update                 7.11.2-3.fc16.x86_64                        @updates
    Updated     mesa-libGLU-7.11.2-1.fc16.x86_64                       ?
    Update                  7.11.2-3.fc16.x86_64                       @updates
    Updated     opencc-0.2.0-2.fc15.x86_64                             @?fedora
    Update             0.3.0-1.fc16.x86_64                             @updates
    Updated     openjpeg-libs-1.4-11.fc16.x86_64                       ?
    Update                    1.4-12.fc16.x86_64                       @updates
    Updated     openssh-5.8p2-24.fc16.x86_64                           ?
    Update              5.8p2-25.fc16.x86_64                           @updates
    Updated     openssh-clients-5.8p2-24.fc16.x86_64                   ?
    Update                      5.8p2-25.fc16.x86_64                   @updates
    Updated     openssh-server-5.8p2-24.fc16.x86_64                    ?
    Update                     5.8p2-25.fc16.x86_64                    @updates
    Updated     perl-4:5.14.2-193.fc16.x86_64                          ?
    Update           4:5.14.2-197.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     perl-CPAN-1.9600.01-193.fc16.noarch                    ?
    Update                1.9600.01-197.fc16.noarch                    @updates
    Updated     perl-Digest-SHA-1:5.61-193.fc16.x86_64                 ?
    Update                      1:5.61-197.fc16.x86_64                 @updates
    Updated     perl-ExtUtils-MakeMaker-6.57.5-193.fc16.noarch         ?
    Update                              6.57.5-197.fc16.noarch         @updates
    Updated     perl-ExtUtils-ParseXS-1:2.2210-193.fc16.noarch         ?
    Update                            1:2.2210-197.fc16.noarch         @updates
    Updated     perl-HTTP-Message-6.02-3.fc16.noarch                   @?fedora
    Update                        6.03-1.fc16.noarch                   @updates
    Updated     perl-HTTP-Tiny-0.012-193.fc16.noarch                   ?
    Update                     0.012-197.fc16.noarch                   @updates
    Updated     perl-Module-Pluggable-1:3.90-193.fc16.noarch           ?
    Update                            1:3.90-197.fc16.noarch           @updates
    Updated     perl-PathTools-3.33-193.fc16.x86_64                    ?
    Update                     3.33-197.fc16.x86_64                    @updates
    Updated     perl-Pod-Escapes-1:1.04-193.fc16.noarch                ?
    Update                       1:1.04-197.fc16.noarch                @updates
    Updated     perl-Pod-Simple-1:3.16-193.fc16.noarch                 ?
    Update                      1:3.16-197.fc16.noarch                 @updates
    Updated     perl-Scalar-List-Utils-1.23-193.fc16.x86_64            ?
    Update                             1.23-197.fc16.x86_64            @updates
    Dep-Install perl-Socket-1.94-197.fc16.x86_64                       @updates
    Updated     perl-Test-Harness-3.23-193.fc16.noarch                 ?
    Update                        3.23-197.fc16.noarch                 @updates
    Updated     perl-devel-4:5.14.2-193.fc16.x86_64                    ?
    Update                 4:5.14.2-197.fc16.x86_64                    @updates
    Updated     perl-libs-4:5.14.2-193.fc16.x86_64                     ?
    Update                4:5.14.2-197.fc16.x86_64                     @updates
    Updated     perl-macros-4:5.14.2-193.fc16.x86_64                   ?
    Update                  4:5.14.2-197.fc16.x86_64                   @updates
    Updated     perl-threads-1.83-193.fc16.x86_64                      ?
    Update                   1.83-197.fc16.x86_64                      @updates
    Updated     perl-threads-shared-1.37-193.fc16.x86_64               ?
    Update                          1.37-197.fc16.x86_64               @updates
    Updated     phonon-backend-vlc-0.5.0-0.2.20120107git.fc16.1.x86_64 ?
    Update                         0.5.0-1.fc16.1.x86_64               @rpmfusion-free-updates
    Updated     pycairo-1.8.8-2.fc14.x86_64                            @?fedora
    Update              1.8.10-4.fc16.x86_64                           @updates
    Updated     pytalloc-2.0.6-1.fc16.x86_64                           @?fedora
    Update               2.0.7-4.fc16.x86_64                           @updates
    Updated     python-cloudfiles-1.7.9.1-1.fc16.noarch                @?fedora
    Update                        1.7.9.3-1.fc16.noarch                @updates
    Updated     qbittorrent-1:2.9.3-1.fc16.x86_64                      ?
    Update                  1:2.9.5-1.fc16.x86_64                      @updates
    Updated     ql2500-firmware-5.06.02-1.fc16.noarch                  ?
    Update                      5.06.05-1.fc16.noarch                  @updates
    Updated     setroubleshoot-3.1.2-1.fc16.x86_64                     ?
    Update                     3.1.3-1.fc16.x86_64                     @updates
    Updated     setroubleshoot-plugins-3.0.21-1.fc16.noarch            ?
    Update                             3.0.27-1.fc16.noarch            @updates
    Updated     setroubleshoot-server-3.1.2-1.fc16.x86_64              ?
    Update                            3.1.3-1.fc16.x86_64              @updates
    Updated     shotwell-0.10.1-1.fc16.x86_64                          @?fedora
    Update               0.10.1-3.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     spice-glib-0.9-1.fc16.x86_64                           ?
    Update                 0.10-1.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     spice-gtk3-0.9-1.fc16.x86_64                           ?
    Update                 0.10-1.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     system-config-keyboard-1.3.1-5.fc16.x86_64             @?fedora
    Update                             1.3.1-6.fc16.x86_64             @?updates
    Dep-Install system-config-keyboard-base-1.3.1-6.fc16.x86_64        @updates
    Updated     taglib-1.7-1.fc16.x86_64                               @?fedora
    Update             1.7-3.fc16.x86_64                               @updates
    Updated     thai-scalable-fonts-common-0.4.17-1.fc16.noarch        ?
    Update                                 0.5.0-1.fc16.noarch         @updates
    Updated     thai-scalable-waree-fonts-0.4.17-1.fc16.noarch         ?
    Update                                0.5.0-1.fc16.noarch          @updates
    Updated     tracker-0.12.8-2.fc16.x86_64                           ?
    Update              0.12.10-1.fc16.x86_64                          @updates
    Updated     usbredir-0.3.3-1.fc16.x86_64                           ?
    Update               0.4.1-1.fc16.x86_64                           @updates

---------- Post added at 08:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:08 AM ----------

I cant narrow it down to anything which could be causing the problem. Since GNOME doesnt load it could be the GTK3 updates or since the kernel pauses while starting the SENDMAIL agent it could be any update related to the SENDMAIL agent.
It could also be any of the above packages because the kernel output shows that the akmods process has failed.
Is there any way for me to remove all the updates and restore the system to the original state?
If not where can i find the Kernel log which might contain the actual error information?

[sidebrnz]

As I wrote before, the problem has to do with the akmod (I presume you're using an nVidia card.) which is supposed to create a new kmod-nvidia for your new kernel. If that fails, you don't have a graphics driver and can't start X. Forget about trying to figure out which update munged things, because you know: it's the akmod package and nothing else. However, I don't see a new kernel listed in your update and unless there's a new kernel without a proper kmod, akmod exits at boot without doing anything.

[normad]

i see i see.. thanks. yes im using the nvidia card. even i was wondering why the kernel update didnt show up on the history. i'll go back and try to find it in the history.
akmods process doesnt exit it fails. so has to be something wrong with it.
but if its the akmod does it make sense that the old kernels are not working aswell?
where can i find the logs for the kmods?
so what should i do now? should i try installing a different X? or a different desktop altogether?

[sidebrnz]

If you have a kmod for the kernel you're using, akmod simply exits. If you don't, it builds one and if it fails, you have no video driver for that kernel and that means X won't start. You should be able to boot into an older kernel as long as it was working before the update. I have no idea what "different X" you think you'd be able to install, and a different desktop won't help until X is working. Boot into the previous kernel and go to the Fedora Setup Guides (The yellow link at the top of this page.) and look into the guides for the nVidia drivers.

[normad]

hmm.. but then it cant be the akmods because my previous kernels dont work aswell. and this thread claims that this error has been lurking around for some time http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=266780

I tried building the akmods manually with 'akmods --kernels 3.2.5-3.fc16.x86_64' and it built succesfully for 3.2.5 and 3.2.1. But still the X doesnt load in those kernels.

When i said different X what i meant was either the official nvidia drivers or the nouveau.

When i start in kernel 3.2.1 it pauses even after starting the desktop manager.

Anyway i'll follow the setup guides and other threads. But if you have any other idea please let me know. i dont like having to use windows
thanks a lot for the help

[sidebrnz]

I see. My recommendation is to use the kmod because if you use the binary blob, you have to boot into CLI mode (what used to be runlevel 3) and install it again every time there's a kernel update and for the most part, the kmod Just Works.

[CronoCloud]

I'm seeing something similar with the recent (this morning) kernel update. The GDM login screen does not come up. Switching to a console and trying a startx, showed that the "nvidia" module isn't found. I DO have akmod-nvidia installed, but apparently it's not generating the module. Switching to the previous kernel, everything is fine.

[esau999]

My akmod hasn't been generated for the past 2 kernel updates. Nvidia's been my biggest pita with Fedora.

[normad]

hi esau999 how do you check if your akmod builds the kmod?

i went through my kernel messages and found out that its generating the error

scsi_wait_scan doesnt exist in /proc

while loading the kernel module for nvidia. This makes sense as to why my X isnt starting for even the previous kernels. My previous update either damaged the proc or the file is actually gone.

Any idea how to repair this? I found some bugs related to scsi_wait_scan but those were very old. Should i file a bug?

[sidebrnz]

There's a known bug with akmods and there should be a new version available RSN. Just stick with whatever kernel works until the patch is in place.

[normad]

hmm.. i see. could you be kind enough to post a link to the bug so i can keep track of it. i cant seem to find it.
and unfortunately none of my kernels work. i got this in 3.2.10 Is it possible for me to revert to the default X11 server that came with the distro?

[sidebrnz]

I don't have the url as I deleted the email (I learned this on a fedora mailing list.) but it's at the rpmfusion bugzilla if you want to look it up.