cross post: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=583449.msg16256658#msg16256658

Trying to sync monero on linux ubuntu 16.04 and I'm getting so many problems.
I did it normally, started ./bitmonerod and got first 300k blocks nice and reliatively fast. I come back the next day and it's on 320k?
so i wait 3 more days, 380k. something isn't right.

Downloaded the boot strap (took less than 5mins on high speed VPS) and follow instructions blockchain_import
I tried
 ./blockchain_import --database lmdb#nosync --verify 0 --input-file ~/blockchain.raw
 ./blockchain_import --database lmdb#nosync --verify=0 --input-file ~/xmr/blockchain.raw
 ./blockchain_import --verify 0 --input-file ~/xmr/blockchain.raw
 ./blockchain_import --input-file ~/xmr/blockchain.raw

You name it I tried around 10 different combos of those commands and each and every one failed. The "database" command was the fastest, but the last block would not be existent or corrupt and wouldn't allow the daemon to function. Massive PITA.

The rest of them would get to 200-350k blocks and simply start hogging resources and STILL not move anywhere in regard to progress. And then, not even being able to exit blockchain_import or bitmonerod (which ever one I was using and trying to sync with).

does anyone know the fastest way to sync on ubuntu 16.04. This is extremely frustrating.