Busy Box...initramfs...my PC won't start Solved

Question

Hello to all Ubuntu users...

Ubuntu has convinced me, it's the only OS I use.
However, two days ago I was working on my PC, everything was working perfectly ... and being tired, I went to take a nap... when I woke up, I plugged in my PC to get back to it and everything was going normally until the hourglass ... and bam an error message popped up... it's as follows:

===========================================================================
Busy Box V1.1.3 (Debian 1.1.1.3-5 ubuntu7) Built-in Shell (Ash)
initramfs_

===========================================================================

And there no commands execute... I do Ctrl+Alt+F1 to get to the console... same thing, sudo, apt-get, update... all these commands are not recognized.... After searching through forums, I understood that there are specific commands recognized under initramfs.... I saw the list of commands but I don't know what they refer to.... I wanted to reinstall Gutsy (I'm on Gutsy on HP Pavilion zv5000 laptop)... but I'm wondering if I would lose my data or if I won't be able to access it anymore. So your help is welcome....

Thanks in advance

Configuration: Linux Firefox 2.0.0.8

pmxr · Accepted Answer

http://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/boot-repair  -- it's simple

mamiemando · Answer

To recover your data, you can boot from a live CD. The desktop CD allows you to do this; otherwise, you can download a Knoppix CD and take inspiration from this:
http://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/sujet 4883 knoppix utiliser knoppix comme cd de secours

Given the error, it looks like an "update-initramfs" that didn't go well. If you boot from your rescue CD, "chroot" into your Ubuntu. To see how to "chroot", here’s an example:
http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich 1975145 pb grub conf

Then try to properly reinstall your kernels (the linux-image packages) and with a bit of luck, that will be enough to fix everything. To check which kernels are installed:

dpkg -l | grep linux-image

To reinstall them:

sudo aptitude reinstall linux-image-2.6.x-xxx

Good luck

shrek · Answer

Hello

I’m getting motivated to switch back to Linux and here we go, busy box and no graphical panel. We are told to switch to Linux, etc., but if every time there’s a Ubuntu update I have to reformat my PC and lose my data, I might as well stick with Uncle Bill. Yes, because during the update to Feisty, there was no graphics support with my little ATI Radeon 9200, just a command line. I wonder how you manage when you want to fully switch and you only have one PC to find help unless you’re a geek and the life that comes with it.

Too cool Linux

mamiemando · Answer

Well, go back to Windows then... I'm saying this sincerely, not to be unpleasant. Let me explain. We "CCM contributors" are here to help people who want to solve a Linux problem. Listening to people complain, not so much.

We regularly tell people who have an X server issue under Debian or Ubuntu to type the following magic command:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

In short, you don't need to be a "geek"; you just need to search the forum... especially since everything is explained in detail under Ubuntu:
http://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/materiel/ati_proprietaire

And when a Linux system is broken, Linux users have a solution! No need for another PC; we use a live CD, which the Ubuntu installation CD allows! Incredible, fortunately, those damn geeks have thought of everything! Even distributions specifically made to recover a broken system (not necessarily Linux too).
http://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/sujet 4883 knoppix utiliser knoppix comme cd de secours

So yes, as you said, Linux is really cool. Those damn geeks who designed it really thought of everything.

Good luck (whether under Windows or Linux).

shrek · Answer

Hello  I'm sorry if I offended or hurt you; I wanted to clarify a few points:  1/ For the geeks, I used to be one, but with family life, it's harder. I'm no longer keeping up with the evolving tech, which has surpassed me. But I respect the tech enthusiasts; I am still one at heart.  2/ Regarding the Knoppix CD, I wasn't familiar with it, so thanks for the info.  3/ As for the xserver procedure, I read about it on forums, but when I upgraded my version, I tried this method several times and its variations, but I couldn't solve my problem. So, just for your information, I went back to the last version that worked well, Dapper Drake.  4/ The only thing that bothers me about our issue regarding "busybox" is that I've seen forum posts dating back to January 2007, but this problem has never been resolved, and the exact cause still has no solution (USB, graphics card, motherboard, etc.).  So, I wanted to apologize if I seemed upsetting; that was not my intention.  By the way, your site has a lot of useful tips, and I'm not trying to butter you up.  Shrek

mamiemando · Answer

No worries :-) I may have gotten a bit carried away too, so you see in this story, no one is completely innocent :p For point (3), we should look at the logs: grep EE /var/log/Xorg.0.log That would give us a clearer idea of why the server is crashing.  Dapper and Edgy are still two super old versions of Ubuntu, so it's a bit of a shame to stick with them. If your /home and / are on two different partitions, you can reinstall Gutsy over / (and keep your /home), which will save you from having to do a migration via /etc/apt/sources.list and your package manager. Especially since migrations to new versions of Ubuntu often come with some headaches.  Good luck!

NivNac · Answer

Hello,
I also have the same problem as you from time to time. But I type "reboot" at the initramfs prompt and my machine restarts normally.

On the Ubuntu forum, I haven't received any responses.

In any case, I'm not losing any data.

If we go to Ubuntu's help and search for initramfs, we don’t get any information explaining what this initramfs thing is?

mamiemando · Answer

NivNac, can you elaborate more precisely on your problem? In particular, I don't understand what you mean by the "initramfs" prompt. Are you rather talking about grub? What are the error messages (if any)? Just a guess, I'd say you need to boot from a live CD (the Ubuntu desktop CD allows you to do this, I believe, otherwise you can download a Knoppix CD), "chroot" into your system, update it, and reinstall your kernel.

Before I tell you more, I want to be sure I understand the problem, but you can start looking into the different points I'm mentioning:

1) chroot:
http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich 3045657 installer windows apres linux#7

2) knoppix:
http://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/sujet 4883 knoppix utiliser knoppix comme cd de secours

3) for updates: once chrooted as root (or with sudo):

aptitude update aptitude upgrade

To see which version(s) of the kernel is installed (once chrooted):

dpkg -l | grep linux-image

Assuming you are using linux-image-2.6.18-4-686, to reinstall it from the live CD (still once chrooted):

aptitude reinstall linux-image-2.6.18-4-686

Good luck!

azriek · Answer

Hello,

same problem here. For no apparent reason, when I boot my gutsy, after the grub prompt and the start of the splash loading, I find myself in the console, with only initramfs as the prompt.
I can't find any trace of this startup in my logs (it crashed in the initrd), and most of the time, one or two reboots allow it to start correctly (the error is definitely not systematic). It also happens between two boots without any updates having been made.

If someone has an idea :)
Az'

mamiemando · Answer

But what is this thing you call the initramfs prompt? oO  I invite you to try what is said in <7>   Good luck

Dricka · Answer

Hello everyone!

Well, it may seem stupid when you think about it afterward, but be sure to check that you don't have a keyboard from our friend Bill...
Having finally decided to dive into the Linux adventure, I found myself facing the "initramfs" problem. In a state of panic, I consulted a few forums, only to wonder if it was my keyboard... I randomly tried with a normal keyboard and oh miracle! Ubuntu finally works ^^

mamiemando · Answer

Good to know but a bit surprising, I didn't think the keyboard could cause that kind of error. Thanks for the info.

jeanlouisdep · Answer

Hello,

same problem with the initramfs on boot

after performing an update
I can no longer use Ubuntu, I had to revert to Windows out of necessity.
what a shame, I finally managed to install it after about fifteen days of effort.

I have asked for help several times, but I keep getting responses from Mr. Know-it-all and me knowing nothing; it’s enough, some cleaning up needs to be done to move forward with Linux and increase the number of users.

I won’t get discouraged, I will reinstall once again.
but not solving the initramfs issue worries me.

sincerely

jeanlouisdep · Answer

After a new attempt and the last FOR INFO I unplugged my floppy drive after reading that somewhere, reboot IT WORKS

kenjiu · Answer

Hello everyone.
I've been using Ubuntu for a little while and I love it! Hats off to all the developers.

So I installed it on a friend's computer, but since he had doubts, I chose the installation in Windows.
Everything was going well until today when he ran into this busybox_initramfs_thing.

I think that grub can’t find the kernel anymore, or maybe there’s an issue with xorg.conf??
If grub can't find the kernel, I can boot from the CD to fix menu.lst, but since I opted for the installation in Windows, what should I put in menu.lst?

I tried to be as clear as possible :-|
Thanks in advance for your help.

iaminnocent · Answer

Since I switched to the Ibex version of Xubuntu, I get the [initramfs] prompt. I use the 'exit' command and the boot resumes normally.  If that can help you...  J.

jeoffrey stiernon · Answer

I am bringing this topic back up (which I found while searching for "initramfs")
because I have encountered the problem several times with Ubuntu 9.04
I confirm that typing "exit" and then pressing the enter key
solves the problem.

there you go

kawajacouille · Answer

I wanted to try Linux, as they say "just to see." Much cheaper than Windows, much more appealing as an idea, I was convinced that I had to take the plunge.
After several failed attempts with specialists, I finally managed to install Ubuntu by myself: what luck!
I was slowly starting to find Linux easy (Internet, shared network printer with a Windows competitor, programs easily available in the software center, and blah blah ...)
Then a Linux update was announced, which I accepted; after about 1.5 hours, I encountered that famous initramfs_ and without the help of this forum (and my second PC still running Windows, I would have never guessed that I just needed to enter the command exit.
Thanks to everyone and to Jeoffrey Stiernon who states: I confirm that typing "exit" and then pressing the enter key resolves the issue.
It works! ! !
Jacques

Louve60 · Answer

And what to do when nothing that’s suggested works, neither exit nor the more "exotic" instructions, when the command prompt never shows up, when ctrl+alt+F1 does nothing, when a live CD won’t boot??? I’m fed up with this issue... And right now, I have a little 8-year-old who has tears in his eyes seeing his computer stuck for days more!

Louve60 · Answer

Thank you for your invitation

Actually, this message was more of a personal "venting" session. I wasn't seeking a particular response. However, I followed your advice.

Here is the link to the forum

http://forum.ubuntu-fr.org/viewtopic.php?pid=3836441#p3836441

Louve60 · Answer

Héhé, I didn't see that you were a mod on this site. Sorry, I recreated the topic here.

ealltech · Answer

Well, go back to Windows then... I'm saying this sincerely, not to be unpleasant. Let me explain. We "CCM contributors" are here to help people who want to solve a Linux problem. Listening to people complain, not so much.

Busy Box...initramfs...my PC won't start

23 réponses

Texture issues in enshrouded

Bank account charged but aliexpress order not found.

Can there be fake players in scrabble go?

My samsung galaxy tab 3 won't turn on and won't charge.

Philips sbc headphones batteries

Dhgate, reliable site or not?

Universal remote control temium remo3/1 code

Free plug sync problem

Very very slow internet...

Taskbar does not hide anymore