I updated from 9.10 to 10.4 last night and everything went smoothly until
restart. Then I got the usual text to choose Esc within 5 secs to influence
boot. Then the 2 line Boot etc the version and on the line below 'Starung
up...'
ubuntu@ubuntu:
Then nothing! I left it alone for an hour - nothing.

I pulled the battey and mains, tried again and pressed Esc and chose the
next version down - same again.

Now I am running on a 9.10 Cd install disc, using it 'live'. But, I can't
access my files which is a catastrophe. Or can I?

Of course you can access your files, assuming the disk is still intact
and didn't self destruct.

Something obviously went very wrong with the boot loader, but if you can
run on a live CD, the hardware is at least partially sound. You should
be able to drill down into your hardware, access the disks, and navigate
the directory structure to search for files. If you have an external
drive connected, you can back them up as well.

Sure, unless your disk is garbled or you have reformatted it entirely...

Just mount manually your hard disk partition:

to find out wich one it is try: cat /proc/partitions

This will show your disks partitions. If your hard drive is on /dev/sda, try
(as root) : gparted -l /dev/sda
It will list your partitions.

Then, you can mount them and backup/change whatever you need.

example: # mount /dev/sda1 /media/boot

May be you will have to reinstall grub if it's messed up.

See this: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=24113

Don't despair. Chances are your data is still intact.

Do someone knows for sure, but I think Ubuntu 2010.04 comes with the new Grub2.
May be this is a to the source of your problems...

I don't know who started this thread but this is confusing. If you did not
start it then start your own, as hijacking a thread is a federal offence and
highly frowned upon. ;)

To fix your problem install ubuntu-restricted-extras in Synaptic (system,
Administration in menu). Just search for restricted (not quick search). That
will allow you to play mp3s, use flash and play videos. While there install
vlc, too.

To view lit files install calibre (also with Synaptic, in fact use it for
all of your installations.)

I have not used a modem in well over ten years, so can't help you there.

To use a 3G broadband modem, install gppp with synaptics package
manager. When I installed 10.04 gppp was installed by default.
usb-modeswitch will switch the memory device on many usb modems. this
application, also listed in your package manager, removes the need to
eject the memory device most likely labled with the name of your phone
service provider.

If the memory on your device is mounted as a cd on your machine then you
will need to eject that image before you can continue setting up the
modem. After you have ejected the memory your modem will show up as a
mobile broadband connection. when you select setup a new connection, it
will ask the questions that are needed for your connection. You will
find a list of providers, your provider is listed in that list, I
checked, so you will not need much info to connect. With my
broadband2go service everything was done for me on 10.04 by selecting my
provider from the list. It was a little more work using 9.10 but was
still fairly easy, with only ejecting the memory device being any
different between the two Ubuntu releases.

One more note, My device needed to be setup with the provider in
windows. After that setup it just works.

it was not my
intention to butt in on Dustin's subject/thread and I am not clear as to
how that happened, I guess working from a 'Live CD' and straight with gmail
instead of thunderbird has thrown me somewhat. Again my sincere regrets and
thank you Roy for bringing this 'foo pah' to my attention - much obliged.

I see that Dustin is getting some help anyway and I am grateful for that, I
only hope I haven't sabotaged his plea for help as indeed from time to time
we all need assistance. As for my own problems I will start again, if I may.

That is, if I can't solve my dilemma with the support which, incredibly,
despite my cross posting, I have already received.