12.04 update problem - software re "hardware" update

[rikona]

Hello Liam,

Sunday, September 28, 2014, 3:27:31 AM, Liam wrote:

> On 27 September 2014 23:53, rikona <rikona at sonic.net> wrote:
>> So here I am at the CLI with no idea how to restore the
>> functionality I had previously. Since this was supposedly just a
>> simple software update, I did not do a system backup before hand -
>> big mistake! What do I need to do to figure out what the problem is
>> and fix it?

> First step:

Thanks for the reply.

Turning the computer on today gives me a different behavior. I again
get the window with "the system is running in low graphics mode"
mentioning that it did not detect some graphics related items
correctly. The only choice in this window is "okay" which does respond
to a CR. This brings up another window asking "what would you like to
do?"  

This window has four choices:
run in low graphics mode for just one session
reconfigure graphics
troubleshoot the error
exit the console login

The first item seems to be preselected, and is preceded by a red dot.
The problem is that the mouse does absolutely nothing, there is no
mouse cursor, and no keys or key combinations seem to do anything
useful either. I can't find any way to change the selection, or get it
to do the selected item - I can't proceed. The one exception I have
found is that control alternate F2 gets rid of the window and brings
me to a black screen. At this point, again, no keys seem to do
anything. The only option seems to be to press the power button and
turn off the computer. Turning the computer back on produces the above
result each time.

I'm not sure how I got to the CLI yesterday - maybe it was an accident
- I can't seem to get there today. I did try accessing this computer
via the local net and the usual shared folders come up, and are
accessible, so the computer is actually running. 

Any suggestions for getting the computer to respond either to keys or
the mouse? 

Thanks,

-- 

 rikona