I have a black screen on startup of Ubuntu! Solved

Question

Hello,

I'm a new Linux user, I just switched to Ubuntu, so here’s my problem ^^: after Ubuntu loads there is no login manager display. I see the small loading cursor and Ubuntu stays on a black background stuck.

I can't access it; I haven't tried Ctrl+Alt+F1 or Ctrl+Alt+F7 yet, but it seems that even with those there’s a chance the problem will come back! I found on the net that it's a graphics card configuration issue with ATI, but I have an older Nvidia model (Nvidia TNT2 32MB).

What can I do to resolve this problem? Thanks in advance!

Configuration: Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn)
Firefox 2.0.0.7

bad-noc · Accepted Answer

hello again it's getting worse and worse! First of all thank you very much for the tips you gave me ^^ and for ctrl+alt+f1 I didn't know what it was for but now thanks to that I managed to update my Nvidia drivers, then I entered the X server configuration and answered the questions but the one about keyboard configuration, I answered it roughly so it seems I configured it badly because I can't access ctrl+alt+f1 nor alt+f5... So to solve this problem if it's not too much to ask ^^' I propose you rewrite for me the questions asked by the X server during a good manual keyboard configuration (French) and I'll answer them as I did at home then give me the keys corresponding to ctrl+alt+f1 in the configuration I made to succeed in accessing the console (it's a bit complicated but I think it's the only solution aside from formatting) then we'll see how to solve the first problem! Thanks a lot for your patience and help!!

mamiemando · Answer

You should tell us what happens when you press ctrl alt f1. Several leads:
- the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf is poorly configured (it configures the graphical mode). In the first place, choose the nv driver rather than nvidia (we will install the proprietary driver if you want once everything works with the free driver). You can repair this file by typing the command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
- you do not have enough space to allow Linux to create its temporary files, check by typing:
df -h
- something else is blocking the boot (see ctrl alt f1)

Good luck

mamiemando · Answer

Well, you need to figure out how to launch a console (either with Ctrl+Alt+F1) or in graphical mode and re-run as root a sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorgApparently, either your X server (Xorg) starts up and you can log in graphically and thus launch a terminal, or your X server is misconfigured and doesn’t start and Linux will normally switch you to the tty1 console (Ctrl+Alt+F1). In both cases you can launch a terminal and reconfigure your X server. To restart your X server, press Ctrl+Alt+Backspace.  Good luck

bad-noc · Answer

Hello Thank you for your response ^^ but what escaped you is that I cannot access my graphical interface nor the console with ctrl+alt+f1, that's why, but I don't think there's a solution to this problem apart from formatting, but thank you very much for your help and if possible that we exchange our emails to talk on MSN ^^ !! Best regards.  Badrechkova

mamiemando · Answer

If you can boot from a live CD (like Knoppix) to repair your Linux without reinstallation (search Knoppix + chroot on the forum to see the procedure). Well, if you're ready to reinstall, it will be a bit longer but a bit simpler. Up to you.  Good luck

bad-noc · Answer

Hi to you all ^^ I’m infinitely grateful for your help; I’m very thankful! Regarding the problem I have, I’ll resolve it by replacing Ubuntu with Mandrake 10.1 given its graphical interface which is less powerful than Ubuntu’s while waiting to get a good graphics card; at that moment I would install the new Ubuntu version 7.1 ^^. Also, thanks to Mandrake I could better grasp the source code ^^ since that’s what I want to learn later. Thanks a thousand times again for your help !! :)

Anonymous user · Answer

Yes I had that, but after installing them, I changed the xorg and the server error started again...  Edit: Oops I missed the reply location.

bad-noc · Answer

Lol right back at ya ^^ I’m really unlucky ^^ I had another problem with Mandrake! Let me explain: I downloaded Mandrake 10.1 (in three parts) and burned it onto CDs. When I boot, nothing happens; my computer boots into XP, but once it’s in XP there’s automatic execution, and when I click on 'install Mandrake Linux' nothing happens, so I don’t see what the problem is. But anyway I’m going to reinstall Ubuntu and try to configure it better because you learn from your mistakes ^^! Thanks a lot!!

mamiemando · Answer

You can install Ubuntu 7.1 (Gutsy Gibbon) and disable the 3D desktops without any issue if that’s really the problem.  Good luck

bad-noc · Answer

Thanks a lot, Dacor ^^ and just one question to get Gusty: how could I get it without reinstalling everything?? Thanks ^^

acronis · Answer

Hello,

can someone help me? I have a black screen instead of the 'login screen' right after booting Ubuntu which normally shows the progress bar, etc. during boot pressing Ctrl+Alt+F1 to switch to text mode reports Kinit: No resume image, doing normal boot, then loads the rest without issue the problem: I have no access to any command when the screen is black and there is no Ctrl+Alt+F1... I installed the NVIDIA driver using the graphical method but without success: backup of xorg.conf made as xorg.conf.backup if someone can help me, thank you ...

mamiemando · Answer

Sorry for the wind, I hadn't seen your message. You just need to do what the Ubuntu doc says, but be aware the upgrade can be painful, so remember to back up your documents beforehand. 
http://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/migration_feisty_gutsy?s=upgrade%20gutsy

Open a new post detailing your problem (without abbreviations and preferably with correct spelling). If you post in a recently resolved thread there is little chance anyone will see your question and answer it. Be sure to specify your distro in the subject of your post, and use a clear title (for example "[ubuntu][nvidia] the X server won't start anymore").

Good luck

theophileturpin · Answer

hi  maybe  sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop  or else go see  http://www.presence-pc.com/forum/ppc/LeMondedeLinux/ecran-noir-installation-ubuntu-sujet-3302-1.htm

Fredoe · Answer

Hello,  I had the same problem on Xubunto 11.10: black screen, no icons, no taskbar, no right-click or left-click, nothing at all.  Solution: - put the installation CD of your Linux version, - choose to upgrade the version (because the boot detects that the same version is already installed) - click "download updates" (you must connect to the internet) - let the installation proceed.  the first time I recovered everything except the mouse wouldn’t move, I did the same manipulation again (installation CD, update, ...) and then magiiiic everything works correctly, I didn’t lose anything :)  I don’t know if it will work for you but it’s always a solution.  fredoe

Escalibur · Answer

Hello, This problem happens to me from time to time. When it happens, I type my login anyway, press enter, and I manage to log in. So it’s clearly a display bug and only a display issue. I hope I was able to help you. @+, Escalibur

Arno59 · Answer

Hello everyone,   Recently the system Linux Ubuntu 15.10 installed on a 10'1 inch laptop screen no longer starts in graphical mode.   Previously no problem, is it due to the Kernel update?  1) File /etc/X11/xorg.conf the contents of /etc/X11/xorg.conf seem correct, it indicates a NVIDIA graphics card  2) Presence of ubuntu-desktop   For information: - graphics cards: NVIDIA Geforce 9300 M GS and INTEL - Linux Ubuntu 15.10 with Kernel 4.2.0-18-generic -i586  What should I check and update?  Thanks in advance.  -- The Open source responds to the freedom of choice of the 21st century consumer

I have a black screen on startup of Ubuntu!

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