Comment 17 for bug 1432171

Well, I resolved the error - by installing `upstart-sys` (which replaces `systemd` with upstart)

So it appears this is an issue where the removal of `upstart` breaks startup of some display managers and prevents the running of login scripts. The workaround is to manually start your chosen display manager from a cli.

Reconfiguring (dpkg-reconfigure) doesn't work, and on this basis, `mdm` works, `lightdm` crashes to low-graphics mode and `sddm` (if manually installed) shows a plain white screen.

So no, it's not related to `sddm`, it is directly related to the implementation and use of `systemd` as a replacement to `upstart`.

It may or may not be "cosmetic" (the display of the message) but the overall effect of installing systemd in this instance has the net result of causing user systems to fail to boot into a graphical display manager, without a relevant or informative notice.

So, if you see "starting version 219" and your display manager (login window) doesn't run, but you *can* load it by manually starting it form the console, you most likely have a problem with your display manager startup script(s). Either replace the display manager startup scripts to work with `systemd`, or remove `systemd` and replace it with `upstart-sys`.