Comment 109 for bug 86666

Affects: x86-64 versions of Feisty, Gutsy, Hardy
Motherboard: EVGA 680i SLI
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS 640MB
Currently using: Kubuntu 8.04 Beta, KDE4 Remix
 ^ This is a fresh installation, and I haven't installed the proprietary NVIDIA drivers.

I experience a persistent black screen at early system startup, including when trying to load the live CD or installation process. Despite this, when messing with the installed Kubuntu, it became clear that the computer does not freeze or hang - it continues to load everything as normal: it can be pinged, and after installing openssh-server I see that it can be ssh'd to as well. For me, the magic SysRq keys also work. So, the computer is responsive, but the screen stays black.

Removing the "splash" option has always worked around the problem just fine, but unfortunately Thomas' "vesafb" approach has no effect for me in Kubuntu 8.04 Beta KDE4 Remix.

I've had this problem since Feisty (the first Ubuntu release I've used), and it has carried on into Gutsy and now Hardy beta as well, and like other users, it has only occurred in x86-64 versions.