video comes up black after logging in but can be recovered using ctrl-alt-f1 then ctrl-alt-f7 every boot

[Brian Freyling]

alpha@alpha-laptop:~$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu jaunty (development branch)
Release: 9.04
alpha@alpha-laptop:~$ uname -a
Linux alpha-laptop 2.6.28-7-generic #20-Ubuntu SMP Mon Feb 9 15:43:21 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux
alpha@alpha-laptop:~$ lspci -nn | grep VGA
00:12.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: nVidia Corporation GeForce 7150M [10de:0531] (rev a2)

system boots fine, login screen is fine, then you login and screen goes black. Press Ctrl-Alt-F1 then the screen gets all sorts of random static as if something is happening. Then press Ctrl-Alt-F7 and after a couple seconds the desktop shows up and everything works great.

Jaunty Alpha 4 on HP Pavilion dv9000 using NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver (version 180) [Recommended] from the Hardware Drivers menu.

This is the first alpha on which I have been able to get video working at the correct resolution even after custom building the driver in prior versions and doing the ABI fix. So things are definitely getting better. A coworker is having the exact same issue on Alpha 4 on another HP laptop, although a third HP laptop is not having the issue.

xorg.conf, xorg.0.log, dmesg attached

[nitto (nitto)]

Hi I updated today the nvidia driver from version 177 to 180, this in order to solve an other bug.
Since I upgraded the nvidia drivers I have the same bug.

After the login the screen became black, I can hear the login sound etc, I can left click with the mouse on the screen (and after discover that I did) but the screen is completely black.
The only solution is opening a terminal ctrl-alt-F1 (the terminal is fine, I can perfectly see it) and than switch to the GUI using alt-F7.

My system is: Ubuntu 8.10
kernel: Linux nittux 2.6.27-12-generic #1 SMP Thu Feb 5 09:26:42 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux
nvidia driver: 180.11
computer: HP dv6915nr
graphic card: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7150M

If needed ask for other detail

[Brian Freyling (freylingb)]

I am still having this problem on Ubuntu Jaunty Alpha 5. Still looking for a resolution.

[nitto (nitto)]

I did some more test on my machine.
The problem disappears it the visual effects are set to 'none'.
I even tried to set the effects to none, then log-off and log-on again (the system log-on perfectly without black-screen, ALT-F1 etc..) and re-activate the visual effects, normal or extra. Once activate visual effects, the screen turns black and I need the ALT-F1 - ALT-F7 procedure again to see the graphic environment again.
I the mean time I was looking at the system logs (system->administration->system log) but nothing special appeared there.
Is there any log I can check regarding the nvidia driver or x server? To see if something is registered there?

Anyway, a current workaround for the problem consists in disabling all the visual effects.

I hope in some more news

[Brian Freyling (freylingb)]

Thanks nitto, this is a much better workaround then having to hit the keys every time. Just restarted to confirm it works on mine : ).

[Valasule (nathan-flidais)]

Good find Nitto, now I guess the question is whether this is a problem with the nvidia driver package or the visual effects packages.

[nitto (nitto)]

Any idea on what to do to deepen the question?

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

[This is an automated message]

In Jaunty (9.04), we have just updated to the latest
nvidia-graphics-drivers-180 package from nVidia, version 180.44.

This package provides fixes for a large number of bugs, and we need your
assistance in testing if it fixes the issue you reported.

To do this, please do the following:

 a. Update to the 180.44 version of -nvidia using your favorite update
     method

 b. Attempt to reproduce your bug

 c. If your bug still remains, please simply reply to this email
     indicating so.

 d. If your bug is now solved, you can help us by setting your bug
     report to Fix Released:
     * In launchpad, go to your bug report
     * Click on the downward pointing arrow under Status
     * Set the Status field to 'Fix Released'
     * Comment on the change, such as, 'Verified fixed in 180.44'
     * Click 'Save Changes'

 e. If the original problem is solved but there are now other problems,
     please close the original bug and open new ones for those issues.

Thank you!

For details on the changes in this version of -nvidia, please see:

   http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_display_ia32_180.44.html

[nitto (nitto)]

I'm running Intrepid and this update is not provided (until now) in the repositories.

In your opinion, can I download the 9.04 ISO and try as live CD? Will it be updated to the last driver revision?
I cannot switch to Jaunty because I'm working on my thesis and I cannot risk a stop.

[Brian Freyling (freylingb)]

solved with nvidia 180.44 driver on Jaunty beta 1. Thanks Bryce and the Ubuntu team!