Ubuntu does not complete boot process without monitor

[Toumal]

Binary package hint: xserver-xorg-video-intel

I run a remote weather station that does not have screen. Booting without a monitor connected causes the dreaded "no screen resolutions found" dialog to appear. This dialog, while helpful to normal users, sadly interrupts the boot process for no good reason: It requires a screen to view it, and a keyboard to operate the button.

Searching through the forums I found several "workarounds", none of which are acceptable in my situation:

1) Installing a permanent monitor is a no-no due to lack of space
2) removing X is not possible because X is needed for some software components like umtsmon
3) Running headless via VNC is not possible because I can not connect via network (bandwidth/cost reasons)
4) Pre-Setting the modes and resolutions in xorg.conf did not get rid of the dialog.

So what I need is a box that finishes the boot process. I don't mind having that dialog pop up - AFTER it finishes the boot process. Let the system boot up in a default resolution, give us the gnome desktop, and THEN pop up that dialog. There's no reason for the entire system to wait for the user to press a key.

For the record: I was able to "work around" this issue by changing the video device driver to "vesa". I dread the day when someone decides that the vesa driver should also try to be smart and exhibit the same behavior...

Ubuntu 9.04
xorg-video-intel 2:2.6.3-0ubuntu9

[Geir Ove Myhr (gomyhr)]

Does this also happen for a server install? I have a monitorless server on my desk, but it's still on an old version of ubuntu.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

Hi toumal-launchpad,

Please attach the output of `lspci -vvnn`, and attach your /var/log/Xorg.0.log (and maybe Xorg.0.log.old) file from after reproducing this issue. If you've made any customizations to your /etc/X11/xorg.conf please attach that as well.

[This is an automated message. Apologies if it has reached you inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

[This is an automatic notification.]

A new major version of the -intel driver is now available in Karmic.

This version includes a major reworking of the acceleration
architecture, which resolves a huge number of issues. We do not know
whether it resolves the issue you reported.

Would you mind testing Karmic Alpha-2 and seeing if it is still a
problem? CD ISO images are available here:

  http://cdimages.ubuntu.com/releases/karmic/

If the issue can still be reproduced on karmic, please report here with
your findings, and attach a fresh Xorg.0.log from your test, and we will
be able to forward the bug upstream.

Otherwise, if the bug no longer exists in Karmic, let us know that as
well.

In the off chance you encounter different bugs while attempting to test
Karmic, please report those as new bug reports.

[John Stowers (nzjrs)]

I just tried to setup a computer for a friend, and encountered this behavior. It appears no amount of custom Xorg magic can convince the intel driver to start without a screen.

Shame really.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

We're closing this bug since it is has been some time with no response from the original reporter. However, if the issue still exists please feel free to reopen with the requested information. Also, if you could, please test against the latest development version of Ubuntu, since this confirms the bug is one we may be able to pass upstream for help.

[Linda (linda-broeen)]

The error still appears for me. Please check the following kernel log extractions:
monitor not attached: http://pastebin.ca/1711814
monitor attached: http://pastebin.ca/1711816

Let me know if you need further information.

[Linda (linda-broeen)]

Ok, I tested it with the server version. It seems to boot fine (in contrast to the desktop version I can ssh the machine). But like the desktop version I only see a black screen when attaching the monitor.