Public bug reported: This has happened both from a clean install from the server disk and from a dist-upgrade from a clean install of breezy. Others have reported similar problems (http://www.google.ca/search?q=ubuntu+dapper+server+%22running+local+boot+scripts%22&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox&rls=org.mozilla :en-US:unofficial)
Basically, what happens is that the reboot stalls after "starting periodic command handler" or "Running local boot scripts". Some people report that it may start up again after about 30 minutes. I've been waiting 20 with no result. In my case, the error is appearing on a Dell Optiplex G240 both with a fresh install from the dapper server disk and with a dist-upgrade (having replaced "breezy" with "dapper" in sources.list) from a fresh breezy reinstall. ** Affects: Ubuntu Importance: Untriaged Status: Unconfirmed -- dapper-server install hangs at "running local boot scripts (/etc/rc.local)" https://launchpad.net/bugs/51921 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs