Ubuntu
linux package

  1. Bug #1829620
  2. Comment #21

Comment 21 for bug 1829620

Revision history for this message
Mark (markthecodehamster) wrote : Re: ASUS microcode/kernel stuck at loading initramfs

> I'm wondering if the recent Intel microcode updates and related kernel patches could be responsible? Can you tell us what CPU the system has?

And BINGO!
This was my suspicion too, I found a way to disable microcode updates to verify this:
WORKAROUND: disable intel microcode updates
From this bug: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/intel-microcode/+bug/1759920
1/ add the boot parameter: dis_ucode_ldr to /etc/default/grub
2/ update-grub

Results:
- linux-generic (4.15.0.50):
   - proceeds to boot (I see some dmesg output, modules loading; gets stuck on some err on loading i915 module, probably due to the lack of microcode and new HW?)

- linux-generic-hwe (4.18):
  - not tested yet

- linux-generic-hwe-edge (5.0):
  - boots without an error! OK :)

I'll be attaching the apport report for the ubuntu kernel I'm now able to boot.

@Simon, can you please test this workaround and verify this hits ASUS and confirms it blames intel-microcode?