Unable to boot ubuntu 19.10 or newer on dell xps 9570

[Alistair Burrowes]

Hi,

Since updating my dell xps 9570 (latest BIOS 1.15.0 and a few previous versions) from 19.04 to 19.10 I have been unable to boot ubuntu. It fails with the following error quickly flashing:

  error: file `/boot/` not found

Then followed by:

  error: cannot allocate kernel buffer.
  error: you need to load the kernel first.

  press any key to continue...

This occurs when doing an update from 19.04 to 19.10 and also when just booting off a usb drive with 19.10.

When booting off the usb drive. The first error flashes quickly before displaying the usb installer options. Selecting any install / boot option results in the second error about kernel buffer.

I have tried all combinations of bios settings I can think of, such as toggling secure boot and other options. The only thing that made a difference is booting via USB with LEGACY EXTERNAL DEVICE BOOT. This allows the installer to complete, but I cannot then boot off the hard drive.

I have tried the same USB drive with 19.10 on a Dell XPS 7590 with BIOS 1.2.3 and the USB stick boots fine. I have also tried many different USB drives on my 9570.

I have tried a few daily builds of 20.04 with the same result. I tested with 20.04 beta as well.

Note: 19.04 and earlier continues to work no problem.

I have asked for help previously:

* https://askubuntu.com/questions/1183129/19-10-usb-installer-boot-fail
* https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/689546/+index

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 19.04
Package: ubuntu-release-upgrader-core 1:19.04.16.9
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.0.0-38.41-generic 5.0.21
Uname: Linux 5.0.0-38-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_modeset nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.10-0ubuntu27.3
Architecture: amd64
CrashDB: ubuntu
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Sat Apr 4 06:55:59 2020
InstallationDate: Installed on 2019-10-24 (162 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 19.04 "Disco Dingo" - Release amd64 (20190416)
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: ubuntu-release-upgrader
Symptom: dist-upgrade
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
---
ProblemType: Bug
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: bananan 2456 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-04-13 (2 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.04.4 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20200203.1)
MachineType: Dell Inc. XPS 15 9570
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_modeset nvidia
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 i915drmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-5.3.0-46-generic root=/dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-root ro quiet splash vt.handoff=1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.3.0-46.38~18.04.1-generic 5.3.18
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-5.3.0-46-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-5.3.0-46-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.173.17
Tags: bionic
Uname: Linux 5.3.0-46-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip docker lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
_MarkForUpload: True
dmi.bios.date: 12/25/2019
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: 1.15.0
dmi.board.name: 07GHH0
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.board.version: A00
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvr1.15.0:bd12/25/2019:svnDellInc.:pnXPS159570:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn07GHH0:rvrA00:cvnDellInc.:ct10:cvr:
dmi.product.family: XPS
dmi.product.name: XPS 15 9570
dmi.product.sku: 087C
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

I ran boot repair info - https://paste.ubuntu.com/p/dS9XkCR9yF/
I tried boot repair with this output - https://paste.ubuntu.com/p/FtS7dyRsnK/

One thing I have determined is that disabling SGX in the bios will avoid the second error of "cannot allocate kernel buffer", however it still won't boot, just black screens forever. Not sure if this is a step forward or backwards.

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. While running an Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline or third-party kernel) please enter the following command in a terminal window:

apport-collect 1870614

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

apport information

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

I have run apport-collect 1870614 . I don't seem to be able to set the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

Currently I am running 18.04. I intend to try upgrading to 20.04 once it is released.

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

Er I figured it out.

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

I cannot boot off 20.04 final release with the same issue. I am going to attempt an upgrade from 18.04 to 20.04

[Alistair Burrowes (afburrowes)]

20.04 does not work. I think this must now be a variant of https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/intel-microcode/+bug/1862751