can't install xubuntu 13.04 video bug

[Hugh Long]

I became a "full time" convert with Xubuntu 12.10. I had used other versions of Ubuntu/Kubuntu for several years intermittently. So, I was anxious to install this upgrade on a Dell Inspiron 5150. It uses 1280X1024 @ 59.9 Hz. It can be set for several others. They all seem to use 'fractional' sync frequencies. The upgrade apparently uses different resolutions and 60 Hz. Whether or not that is the specific issue, the new install breaks the video sync into totally unreadable flashes and sweeps. I can't seem to get a usable/tailorable install because of this. Tried several downloads and burns. Anyway, I've done it with other levels and versions and they work. Hopefully there is a quick remedty for this. I know several institutions (mainly hospitals) with a slug of these devices. Seems to me a simple install fix would be the old 640X480 during install and let me tailor the final video parameters. Anyway, I can see this being a negative impact to the new release and thank-you for any assistance you can provide.

Hugh Long <email address hidden>
770-949-9896

[Ubuntu Foundations Team Bug Bot (crichton)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. It seems that your bug report is not filed about a specific source package though, rather it is just filed against Ubuntu in general. It is important that bug reports be filed about source packages so that people interested in the package can find the bugs about it. You can find some hints about determining what package your bug might be about at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/FindRightPackage. You might also ask for help in the #ubuntu-bugs irc channel on Freenode.

To change the source package that this bug is filed about visit https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1174372/+editstatus and add the package name in the text box next to the word Package.

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

[Hugh Long (lococrab)]

I apologize for the missing information. Please note this is about the XUBUNTU 13.04 new distribution. It apparently does NOT use the same screen-monitor configuration as the previous release resulting in an unusable installation. It took me a day and a half to realize it and get back to 12.04 with the settings/data I use. So, I ran the Ubuntu-bug -w within the 12.04 installation to provide the equivalent information you requested. It appears to be using the Xfce determined Noveau driver, again at fractional sync speeds (59.9 hz). It should be the 13.04 equivalent package to xfce-4 settings 4.10.0-1ubuntu2 and the path = /usr/bin/xfce4-settings-manager. Hopefully this will be of help and will let me move to the 13.04 level but I can't work with the distorted display after installing the new level and it reboots into distortion.
If there were a way to force it to a very basic screen during installation completion (after the reboot) and let me tailor it once it is up, that would be great. Also, there is apparently no xfce.cfg anymore, so I can't try to substitute that. *ubuntu's claim to fame and remarkable growth among non-techies has been a flawless installation. Hope I can get back there again, soon.

[Anthony Papillion (cajuntechie)]

Have you tried with the nomodeset parameter set? I had a similar problem across multiple distributions and that worked for me. Try it and see if that helps?

[Hugh Long (lococrab)]

Sorry for the delay in replying - unfortunately am juggling a lot right now. To suggestion, yes and no. I tried the online upgrade first and when it finished and rebooted came back with video trash. Tried nomodeset then and it worked. That was using the Live copy and was temporary (you can't get into the installed copy as root or I might have been able to fix it). So I figured it had to be the upgrade and did a fresh install. With that, nomodeset didn't work. So I spent a almost 2 days recovering back to 12.04 where I am now. 12.04 installed fine - no problems, video or otherwise. And that is why Linux/(X)ubuntu can't get broad acceptance. There is no consistency across what they do. The new version should have installed as cleanly as the older version. So I opened the problem in case they were interested in fixing the problem early in the rollout and not get the bad press from the inconsistency. Hopefully there will be a simple answer. They have changed
 everything that allows you to recover. Can't edit a .cfg file cuz they did away with it. Can't get into the installed version as root from the Live version. They took away too much and their deliverables aren't ready for prime time. I really thought they would be. Anyway, thanks. If you hear of anything else, I would like to stick with them. My buddy is pushing me toward Mint, says all his problems went away with it.
Hugh

________________________________
 From: Anthony Papillion <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 7:47 PM
Subject: [Bug 1174372] Re: can't install xubuntu 13.04 video bug

Have you tried with the nomodeset parameter set? I had a similar problem
across multiple distributions and that worked for me. Try it and see if
that helps?

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1174372

Title:
  can't install xubuntu 13.04 video bug

Status in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  I became a "full time" convert with Xubuntu 12.10. I had used other
  versions of Ubuntu/Kubuntu for several years intermittently. So, I was
  anxious to install this upgrade on a Dell Inspiron 5150. It uses
  1280X1024 @ 59.9 Hz. It can be set for several others. They all seem
  to use 'fractional' sync frequencies. The upgrade apparently uses
  different resolutions and 60 Hz. Whether or not that is the specific
  issue, the new install breaks the video sync into totally unreadable
  flashes and sweeps. I can't seem to get a usable/tailorable install
  because of this. Tried several downloads and burns. Anyway, I've done
  it with other levels and versions and they work. Hopefully there is a
  quick remedty for this. I know several institutions (mainly hospitals)
  with a slug of these devices.  Seems to me a simple install fix would
  be the old 640X480 during install and let me tailor the final video
  parameters. Anyway, I can see this being a negative impact to the new
  release and thank-you for any assistance you can provide.

  Hugh Long <email address hidden>
  770-949-9896

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1174372/+subscriptions

[Hugh Long (lococrab)]

Was wondering if the folks at Xubuntu ever fixed this bug in 13.04. I tried all the suggestions and when it was released DID NOT install without breaking the video. Whenever I install updates to the previous version that had a clean video install it asks me to install the upgrade. I would like to but I don't have the time to try to find out if it works. It used to and should not be a problem to return to the working video options. Appreciate hearing from anyone that can confirm a return to the working video install ... Thanks in advance.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Hugh Long, thank you for reporting this bug to Ubuntu. Raring reached EOL on January 27, 2014.
See this document for currently supported Ubuntu releases: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Releases

Is this an issue in a supported release? If so, could you please execute the following command, as it will automatically gather debugging information, in a terminal:
apport-collect 1174372

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]