It is now clear that this fault applies to Ubuntu 16.04, not to any specific Linux kernel version. I have found that Ubuntu 17.10 with the same current Linux (4.13 35/40) does not have the fault, but 16.04.3 running on the same hardware and with the same Linux does show the fault: boot-up only progresses to a frozen log-in screen, and the build will only run in recovery mode. The previously reported screen handling problems are almost certainly due to the known reduced display support in this recovery mode, and are not the real fault, which is that these 16.04 builds won't boot-up.
** Summary changed: - Desktop system won't run with latest kernel 4.13 36/40 + Desktop system won't run with latest 16.04 build -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1754571 Title: Desktop system won't run with latest 16.04 build To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1754571/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs