Boot hangs after 'initiating ramdisk' when installed

Support
,
1

I’m struggling to get any version of Rome to boot with Nvidia drivers installed (Plasma 6, X11). I’ve tried the proprietary and open drivers, but no matter what I seem to do - boot will hang after ‘initiating ramdisk’ when installed. Reinstalled about 5-6 times so far today trying to get anything to work.

I’ve tried manually blacklisting the Nouveau driver (despite reading remarks it’s now not the correct way to handle things). Doesn’t seem to matter if I use the 3644 build ISO (x86_64) without updates, or update to the latest kernel first.

I also tried to install nvidia-legacy but it doesn’t have the correct kernel version available.

Reading multiple posts here I know others are able to get this to work without issue - but I’m truly banging my head against a wall here.

Any tips please on how to debug?

EDIT: Just to note my issue is described here too, though the OP was using Rock and not Rome: Nvidia drivers break system boot?

2

Welcome! We are happy to see you.

@DeviateDefiant I don’t know where you are at this point. Are you stuck at a boot? Or are you at a clean install? It sounds like initramfs is not getting rebuilt after installing the driver. If you can get to a TTY, can you try to run this command, please? If you are on a clean install, run this right after installing the Nvidia driver and before rebooting.

ALSO!!! run the Nvidia install before updating the install. The Nvidia driver has to be there before a new Kernel is installed, so that the kernel is built using the driver.

sudo dracut -f /boot/initrd-6.12.9*desktop*.img $(uname -r)
1 Like
3

Thanks for the warm welcome @WilsonPhillips, and appreciate the quick reply too! Right now I’m on a fresh reinstall, though have unfortunately already updated.

I’ll go through the Nvidia install now, and then run the dracut command and report back shortly.

Worst case, can reinstall again - getting quite used to the process :grin:

1 Like
4

So, same issue after reboot. Is this potentially because the new kernel was built via the update before the dracut command was used?

Can reinstall again, for now seems I can’t get in whatsoever.

5

It sure sounds like that is what is happening. It is hung, looking for the initramfs. Since you have it down to a science, try it again :smiley:

If you install the Nvidia driver first, you shouldn’t need to run the command.

1 Like
6

Unfortunately, same again.

  • Reinstalled.
  • Immediately installed nvidia via dnf.
  • Ran dracut command above just in case.
  • Updated system.
  • Ran update-grub2 just in case.
  • Same initramfs issue as before.

Appreciate any further help, quite stubbornly determined to get this working.

EDIT: I noticed the new kernel was installed as a dependency of the nvidia package, could the issue still be due to the fact the command isn’t being run as part of the install process?

7

That is why you want to install the Nvidia driver first. It will get the kernel it needs.

Can you do it again and install the Nvidia driver and then reboot without updating first?

1 Like
8

Done, exact same issue unfortunately. No updates, just enabled non-free then installed nvidia and immediately rebooted.

1 Like
9

I admire the won’t quit attitude.

1 Like
10

Mandrake was my first distribution somewhere around 1999-2001, I very much want to get it working if at all possible :grin:

11

I am wondering now about the download or how it was built. Which one are you using right now and how was the USB created? What program are you using?

I am guessing 3644 is the download you are using and it should be good.

Another question. Will it reboot normally before you install the Nvidia driver? I am guessing yes.

12

The download was from SourceForge as the #3644 build on the ABF subdomain is missing (try clicking the ISO link): Show - Product ROME plasma6.x11 x86_64 - Platform - Openmandriva ABF

It was burnt to a Corsair Voyager 32GB using Rufus 4.6, I did previously try ‘Rosa’ as I saw it was recommended here on the forums somewhere - but it wouldn’t write correctly.

I think so, it was the latest ISO on SourceForge I ultimately used - which I assumed to be #3644.

Yes, no issue booting/rebooting using Nouveau drivers.

13

Have you tried dracut --force --regenerate-all?

1 Like
14

At this point, I think we need more expert help.

I see @Omv3690 shows up as I am typing this.

2 Likes
15

No, but I will do so momentarily. Also going to download the #3579 ISO and try going from there. Will report back.

Hugely appreciate any help here, I’m being quite stubborn that I’m going to get Rome working properly.

2 Likes
16

If building the ISO with Rufus, I understand that one needs to use dd mode.

17

Thank you, I did so last time as it goes :+1: Quite certain the image was written correctly at least.

18

Rufus isn’t very good with Linux isos generally (even dd mode) their focus is on windows, balenaetcher was what properly flashed it for me

Try that then sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

19

Thank you, downloading now - will use on the ISO, which still has about 10 minutes to go.

Appreciated, will report back in approx. 20 minutes.

EDIT: Unfortunately hit my new post limit for a new forum user.

Followed precisely @Omv3690, unfortunately still the exact same issue with getting stuck on Loading initial ramdisk when booting.

20

If you’re going to reinstall, I suggest going on like this:

  • Upon first boot fully update system with sudo dnf dsync --refresh then reboot
  • Open OM welcome > Applications tab > Development > install C/C++ Compilers Suite, then to Configure tab > Hardware > NVIDIA Drivers
  • After installation enter sudo su, then dracut --force --regenerate-all and then grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
  • Reboot

That usually turned out fine for me. I personally went with the .run installer from the NVIDIA website because wayland wouldn’t work for me with the repo drivers, but I think this should work for you

2 Likes