Ubuntu 18.04 restart loop: computer turns on but won't boot up, possibly after software installation

Question

I installed Ubuntu less than a month ago and since then have been playing around with things I can do so I may have broken something in the process.

Recently I have restarted my computer (Matebook x Pro) and it is stuck on a loop where the keyboard lights up, the fans spin up for a second, the black screen with the Huawei logo comes on, and then immediately everything turns off. Then after a second, it repeats again.

I have tried powering it off, waiting, then turning it on again, but the loop continues.

I want to know if there is any boot repair shortcut I can use to boot properly again.

I am not dual booting. Ubuntu is the only OS on the computer. The computer is new; I bought it a month ago so I doubt there was a hardware failure. I assume I can fix this by bringing up some sort of command line or using some sort of a shortcut.

I am not sure what caused the issue. I may have accidentally installed some packages for Ubuntu 16 and this could have broken something? I installed different things through the terminal and the instructions said to restart the computer and here I am now. I don't remember what exactly I was trying to install since I have played around with many things, but I didn't think this could affect the boot up instructions since they are read-only?

This is what I get when I follow the link in the comments:

The ctrl+alt+f2 combination brings me to InsydeH20 Setup Utility.

Edit: I think this is because my BIOS is outdated. My version is something.17 but there is the .18 version available. I have downloaded the zip file onto my flash drive but the computer doesn't see it

Solution

Alright, so I have solved the issue and I really hope that anyone who has it can benefit from my answer.

All I had to do was to go into BIOS Ctrl+Alt+F2 then disable secure boot that is enabled by default. Then it all booted up and none of my data was lost. Thank you to everyone who tried to help

Comments

[bistoco]

I find it weird that it just poweroff (or reboot). Did you tried running from a livecd/usb?, it may be a hardware issue with temperature that is powering off your computer to avoid hardware damage. Another option is to press CTR+ALT+F1 to see the console output and record it. You could see some errors or reasons there.

[Jared]

Sorry I don't know how to directly reply to your comment but I'll do it by replying to my own post. It didn't restart randomly, I did it manually because some guide i was following told me to do so. It did not shut down because of overheating because it is cool to the touch

[Jared]

Pressing ctr alt f1 does not bring up any console, it just keeps trying to boot up and failing. I found a guide on some sort of a boot repair program that I have to download on a USB and run it from there, but I do not have a working computer to do that

[bistoco]

Try stackoverflow.com/a/18642325/1810128

[Jared]

Thank you, I got a setup utility screen up. However, I am not sure what to do now

[Jared]

It just shows a bunch of options that are enabled

[bistoco]

If you record that screen, it should show an error (or several) just before restarting. Write that error or add screenshots here so we can diagnose it.

[Jared]

I don't have enough reputation on the forum to post an image, but there is no restart option or any errors showing when I exit the menu

[bistoco]

Let us continue this discussion in chat.

[Scott Stensland]

did you install nvidia or amd graphics drivers before this started happening ? if so you can revert that install from the boot up rescue mode prompt and go back to using normal ubuntu nouveau graphics drivers ... besides see if it boots up using LiveUSB

[Jared]

@ScottStensland my drivers were automatically installed when i first booted up Ubuntu and since then i could restart the machine without problems so i doubt that it is a graphics driver issue. I am having trouble bringing up the boot up rescue mode because I am not sure how to do it. The ctrl alt f1 combination just shows a bunch of enable/disable options to do with peripherals

[Scott Stensland]

as suggested above does it run OK when you boot up using LiveUSB ? use same media you used to do initial ubuntu install just pick the try option ... it that is good then your issue is fixable

[Jared]

@ScottStensland the USB stick I used o install Ubuntu is not currently with me as I am away from home and only coming back in three weeks, so I don't want to create a new bootable USB from my work stick. Is there a way of attempting to fix it first?

[Jared]

If its helps, it seems that my left fan does a clicking sound as it spins up on booting, but then seems to make normal spinning sounds. I think it is a Huawei thing to spin up fans every time I wake the computer up from sleep because it does that every time, but that clicking sound is bothering me. Should I check that the fan isn't stuck or does that not affect my booting up?

[Jared]

Also, the fan has been making a clicking sound ever since I unboxed the device and it has been restarting fine when i told it to, which is why I think that it is a separate issue but still worth mentioning

[Jared]

People with Matebooks seem too have the same problem on reddit, however their restart looping is also accompanies by no bootable drives found in BIOS menu, but mine clearly says that my ssd is bootable, so I don't know why it's not booting

[Jared]

I am pressing shift after turning it on but I am not taken to the purple menu, the cycle just continues as if nothing is happening. Any suggestions?

[Scott Stensland]

then try to hit ESC key repeatedly during boot to reach grub menu

[Jared]

Hitting escape doesn't work either, I have tried this multiple times

[Scott Stensland]

if you can get into your BIOS then have it load up Default Settings to give you a level playing field then I would try above once again ... if no luck burn 18.10 onto a USB stick and do a fresh install ... I keep such a LiveUSB in my travel bag at all times ... as always keep all important files on Dropbox for just this kind of pickle

[Jared]

Loading up the defaults doesn't work... Oh man I was just about to do a full backup when it refused to boot aswell... Guess we learn from our mistakes, thanks for your time

[Scott Stensland]

no problem ... we have all been there too