Ubuntu 16.04 Jan 3 2018 update causing screen/access issues [duplicate]

Yesterday (Jan. 3, 2018), I installed an OS update (Ubuntu 16.04), using the Software Center. My system isn't working correctly now. When my mouse rolls over the Launch bar, it disappears, then any open window disappears, leaving me with only the desktop screensaver showing. I can't even shut the computer off using the settings button on the top.

I went into the Terminal and attempted to fix it using the following commands:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get autoremove

But I'm still having the same problem.

I have reinstalled Ubuntu 16.04 and when I accepted the update on install had the same problem. I have reinstalled it a second time but have not done an OS update and everything seems to be working fine.

Found another user with the same problem: Ubuntu updates 1-4-2018

Is it possible that the Meltdown security update is at fault? I've read the update has been issued for 64-bit x86 architecture (https://insights.ubuntu.com/2018/01/04/ubuntu-updates-for-the-meltdown-spectre-vulnerabilities/); I'm running a 32 bit i386 architecture. Could that be an issue and is there a way to correct it?

Solution 1:

As version 17.2.4 of the Mesa graphics library causes the problem, below commands upgrade this library to its newer version that is free of this bug feature:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:paulo-miguel-dias/pkppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo reboot

Solution 2:

I also had the same problem. I thought about reinstalling ubuntu too. But fortunately I changed my mind.

Then I booted ubuntu in recovery mode. To my surprise, launcher was working fine there. That proved that the problem is not with launcher. Its with something else.

I wondered, whats missing in Recovery Mode which is present in Normal Mode. Then I remembered that while booting recovery mode, it prompted me with a message saying, some of the graphical features wont work in Recovery Mode.

So what I did is, booted normally, then (for those who want to skip to solution, start reading here),

1. Went to System Settings
2. Went to Software and Updates Settings
3. Clicked on Additional Drivers tab
4. Selected the "(proprietary, tested)" graphic driver
5. Apply Changes
6. Restart ( it actually froze when I clicked on restart, had to hard reboot)

Problem Solved

Now you may not have any graphic driver option which works(Poor You).

But what I conclude is, the problem is with open source graphic driver. Maybe it got updated or something, something for the experts to think about.

I hope it gets fixed soon, so I switch back to open source(cause open source rocks, thats what they say atleast).

Hope you find this helpful.