Ubuntu Version: Ubuntu 26.04
Desktop Environment: GNOME
Background
I’m testing Ubuntu 26.04 to ensure that I understand it before the point-one release in August, when I’ll do a fresh installation rather than an upgrade.
I have successfully installed Ubuntu 26.04 with full-disk TPM-backed encryption. I’ve enabled Pro. Everything works; I can boot into the machine normally, log in, run updates, use Firefox, etc.
Problem Description
The three repair modes are unusable, as described below.
Repair mode
Grub > “Repair using enhanced-secureboot-desktop”
The repair mode takes me to the login screen. I can log in.
Thereafter, two problems happen.
The following string is written to the console every few seconds (the frequency varies, being more often while I’m trying to type, less often while I’m doing nothing):
serial-console-conf@ttyS0.serviceserial-console-conf@ttyS0.service
This appears over whatever I’m doing, making it hard to see and type, especially because of the next problem.
Each character typed needs to be pressed on the keyboard once, twice, thrice or even four times before being registered. For example, to type ls -l<Enter>, I might need to press the following keys:
lss -ll<Enter><Enter><Enter>
All this, while the above-mentioned serial-console… message keeps being written to the console.
Workaround
Fortunately, I have discovered a workaround: Use a different console. So, instead of logging in immediately, press (for example) Ctrl+Alt+F3 to go to console 3. Only console 1 has this problem; the other consoles work properly.
Install mode
Grub > “Install using enhanced-secureboot-desktop”
In this mode, I never get a chance to do anything. It gets stuck on this line:
[*** ] Job core.start-snapd.service/start running (11min 26s / no limit)
The time just keeps going up and up with no progress. I’ve tried pressing Enter, Ctrl+C, and several other keys, but nothing happens.
Going to another console (e.g. Ctrl+Alt+F3) gives only a login. But, logging in loops back to the login without an error message.
Workaround
I have not been able to get past this.
Factory reset
Grub > “Factory reset using enhanced-secureboot-desktop”
This does the same thing as the “Install mode” above.
Relevant System Information
- Grub > “Continue to run mode” works; Grub > “UEFI Firmware Settings” works; only the three recovery options have problems.
- I’m testing this in a virtual machine, specifically VirtualBox version 7.2.10. The host is Ubuntu 24.04.