PS, #dmesg | grep microcode # returns nothing on the ubuntu hwe-edge kernel with mitigations=off (=problematic ucode otherwise loaded)
Actually, is the microcode loaded at all? # cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/microcode/version cat: /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/microcode/version: No such file or directory # uname -a Linux mmm-U2442 5.0.0-15-generic #16~18.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Tue May 7 14:17:37 UTC 2019 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux root@mmm-U2442:~# dmesg |grep -i microcode # apt list --installed |grep microcode amd64-microcode/bionic-updates,now 3.20180524.1~ubuntu0.18.04.2 amd64 [installed,automatic] intel-microcode/bionic-security,bionic-updates,now 3.20190514.0ubuntu0.18.04.2 amd64 [installed,automatic] # cat /proc/cmdline BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-5.0.0-15-generic root=UUID=XXX ro rootflags=subvol=@ubuntu ro kaslr resume=/dev/mapper/swapDevice mem_sleep_default=deep dm_mod.use_blk_mq=1 acpi_osi=Linux acpi_backlight=vendor dis_ucode_ldr mitigations=off -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kernel Packages, which is subscribed to linux in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1829620 Title: intel-microcode on ASUS makes kernel stuck during loading initramfs on bionic-updates, bionic-security Status in intel-microcode package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Status in linux package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Status in linux-hwe package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Status in linux-hwe-edge package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: Description: - my system gets stuck at "Booting, Loading initramfs" (the first 2 lines of booting, after grub) - does not even show the enter cryptsetup passphrase - affected kernels: # apt list --installed |grep linux-signed WARNING: apt does not have a stable CLI interface. Use with caution in scripts. linux-signed-generic/bionic-security,bionic-updates,now 4.15.0.50.52 amd64 [installed] linux-signed-generic-hwe-18.04/bionic-security,bionic-updates,now 4.18.0.20.70 amd64 [installed] linux-signed-generic-hwe-18.04-edge/bionic-security,bionic-updates,now 5.0.0.15.71 amd64 [installed] - the setup is not new, has been working perfectly before (about 7 days since my last restart?) System: - HW: ASUS Zenbook 14 UX433FN - Ubuntu 18.04, runing latest HWE, fully updated - grub(-pc), cryptsetup (crypttab entries for custom encrypted LUKS setup), Suspected/possible cause?: - recent intel-microcode package update - recent kernel package updates Steps taken: - tried to remove "splash quiet" from grub/kernel cmd line (also tried adding nosplash, noplymouth) - completely removed nvidia drivers (apt purge *nvidia*) - completely purged and reinstalled grub (grup-pc) - completely purged and reinstalled all kernels (headers, modules, image, ..) - toggle BIOS "fastboot" (now using OFF) - toggle UEFI SecureBoot (now using ON) - remove plymouth (apt remove *plymouth* , but the workaround is working with plymouth installed) Workaround: - so far, I'm only able to boot with non-Ubuntu kernel! (linux-image-liquorix-amd64) - which needs "splash" option ON - reinstall cryptsetup & update-grub (as suggested in https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1829620/comments/10 ) I am not sure how to get you more debug info, as this setup has been working before, and it's a very eary boot-process bug, so I can't even access dmesg etc. EDIT: Hypothesis: Only affects ASUS with newer (Kaby lake) Intel CPU, intel-microcode WORKAROUND 1: disable intel microcode updates during boot 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 WORKAROUND 2: downgrade (and hold) intel-microcode to older version from bionic/main apt install --reinstall intel-microcode=3.20180312.0~ubuntu18.04.1 --- ProblemType: Bug ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.6 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: KDE DistroRelease: KDE neon 18.04 InstallationDate: Installed on 2012-12-23 (2337 days ago) InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64 (20121017.1) Package: linux-hwe-edge (not installed) Tags: bionic wayland-session Uname: Linux 5.0.0-17.1-liquorix-amd64 x86_64 UnreportableReason: The running kernel is not an Ubuntu kernel UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) UserGroups: adm libvirtd lpadmin netdev plugdev sudo vboxusers video _MarkForUpload: True --- ProblemType: Bug ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.6 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: KDE DistroRelease: KDE neon 18.04 InstallationDate: Installed on 2012-12-23 (2339 days ago) InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64 (20121017.1) Package: linux-hwe-edge PackageArchitecture: amd64 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.0.0-15.16~18.04.1-generic 5.0.6 Tags: third-party-packages bionic wayland-session Uname: Linux 5.0.0-15-generic x86_64 UnreportableReason: Toto není oficiální KDE balík. Prosíme odstraňte všechny balíky třetích stran a zkuste to znovu. UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) UserGroups: adm libvirtd lpadmin netdev plugdev sudo video _MarkForUpload: True To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/intel-microcode/+bug/1829620/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kernel-packages Post to : kernel-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kernel-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp