Systemd: how to get into rescue mode

[Tom H]

On Sat, Jan 11, 2020 at 6:26 AM Volker Wysk <post at volker-wysk.de> wrote:
> Am Freitag, den 10.01.2020, 22:53 +0100 schrieb Tom H:
>>>
>>> I've tried it with "systemctl isolate multi-user.target", and then
>>> "systemctl isolate rescue.target". But, when you afterwards type
>>> ctrl-D or "exit", it stands still with the ubuntu symbol, with the
>>> dots under the "ubuntu" lettering. It's the same with typing
>>> "systemctl isolate default.target" instead. So you have to do a
>>> reboot.
>>
>> I would've expected "systemctl isolate default.target" to have
>> worked.
>>
>> What do you see when you press "Esc" when the Ubuntu logo's
>> displayed?
>>
>> (I think that this is the way to see the boot messages, but I don't
>> use "quiet" at the cmdline so I'm not sure).
>
> When I do "systemctl isolate multi-user.target", "systemctl isolate
> rescue.target", "systemctl default default.target" and then press ESC,
> I get to an emtpy screen, except for the blinking cursor. When I press
> ESC again, I'm back at the ubuntu logo.

"systemctl default default.target" isn't correct.

It's either "systemctl default" or "systemctl isolate default.target".
I'd be surprised if this is your problem, but perhaps...