screen black/blank after typing password and breaking lock

[Robert B]

Binary package hint: gnome-screensaver

$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Release: 10.04
$ apt-cache policy gnome-screensaver xserver-xorg-video-intel
gnome-screensaver:
  Installed: 2.30.0-0ubuntu2
  Candidate: 2.30.0-0ubuntu2
  Version table:
 *** 2.30.0-0ubuntu2 0
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
xserver-xorg-video-intel:
  Installed: 2:2.9.1-3ubuntu5
  Candidate: 2:2.9.1-3ubuntu5
  Version table:
 *** 2:2.9.1-3ubuntu5 0
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

See https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/546578/comments/97 for more info.

To reproduce: randomly, after a number of times (I would guess once every 10 or so times), typing in my password after the screen is locked via gnome-screensaver, the screen remains black/blank with just the mouse cursor there. Ctl-Alt-F1 does not change this, neither does Ctl-Alt-Backspace nor Ctl-Alt-Del. As mentioned in the above referenced comment, the only workaround is to disable gnome-screensaver.

Note that I am not in a position to log into my system while this happens and therefore cannot run any diagnostics or tests.

The system is a Acer Aspire AS5740-5512 laptop. When closing the laptop lid when this happens, the screen becomes completely black -- the mouse cursor is gone.

The only way to recover is to hard reboot the system (hold down the power button).

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: gnome-screensaver 2.30.0-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-22.33-generic-pae 2.6.32.11+drm33.2
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-22-generic-pae i686
Architecture: i386
Date: Sun May 30 14:15:13 2010
GnomeSessionIdleInhibited: Unknown
GnomeSessionInhibitors: Failed to acquire
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 "Lucid Lynx" - Alpha i386 (20100213)
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=C
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: gnome-screensaver
WindowManager: gnome-wm

[Robert B (robertbub)]

I should also note that I am using an unencrypted keyring. (I used the have the problem where the unlock screen would just freeze due to trying to connect to the gnome-keyring manager, but this problem seems to be different.)

$ apt-cache policy gnome-keyring
gnome-keyring:
  Installed: 2.92.92.is.2.30.1-0ubuntu1
  Candidate: 2.92.92.is.2.30.1-0ubuntu1
  Version table:
 *** 2.92.92.is.2.30.1-0ubuntu1 0
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

[Dr. Burnett (cortezb3)]

I am experiencing the same issue down to the gnome-keyring status. I am fairly sure this is not simply just a config problem.

[Dr. Burnett (cortezb3)]

I just had another lock with the password completely disabled. I disabled screen saver altogether.

[Robert B (robertbub)]

I've been running with xscreensaver for a while now and it works perfectly.

So, it's definitely something to do with gnome-keyring or gnome-screensaver.

[kcoriginal (kcoriginal)]

Mine usually gives me unlock which usually succeeds.

BUT.

This time it will not give me unlock option. Mouse is active but no keys seem to do anything for the x-session.

HOWEVER!

CTRL-ALT-F1 does allow me to log into another terminal session. I "top"ped and I see gnome-screensaver. "kill"ed the pid successfully... but it regens as soon as I switch back to the CTRL-ALT-F7 X-session...

Hard killed it with the power button. Works again. This has been intermittent but several occurrences since moving to 10.04.

On a hp 8710p laptop that has otherwise been a dream with other ubuntu, Linux live distros, and ms xp, vista, and 7.

[kcoriginal (kcoriginal)]

other comments:

I do not d1ck with Linux distros. At first sign of issues I reload from scratch with defaults. VERY rarely do I deviate from this. I keep a text file of EVERY SPECIFIC command-line modification I make, so that I can repeat it PRECISELY. This is why I prefer ubunbtu: no d1cking required, and GREAT documentation when the need rarely occurs.

gnome-keyring info showed

$ apt-cache policy gnome-keyring
gnome-keyring:
  Installed: 2.92.92.is.2.30.0-0ubuntu1
  Candidate: 2.92.92.is.2.30.3-0ubuntu1.1

Upgraded. Will post back if I see the issue again.

[kcoriginal (kcoriginal)]

correction:

$ apt-cache policy gnome-keyring
gnome-keyring:
  Installed: 2.92.92.is.2.30.0-0ubuntu3 <----- 0ubuntu3 NOT 0ubuntu1
  Candidate: 2.92.92.is.2.30.3-0ubuntu1.1

[Robert B (robertbub)]

You may wanna look at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xorg-server/+bug/546578/comments/124 . I have been so happy with xscreensaver that I'm loathe to switch, but you may want to try it.

[Pedro Villavicencio (pedro)]

Thanks for the report, it has been some time without any response or feedback in this bug report and we are wondering if this is still an issue for you with the latest release of Ubuntu the Natty Narwhal, May you please test with that version and comment back if you're still having or not the issue? Please have a look at http://www.ubuntu.com/download to know how to install that version. Thanks in advance and sorry for the late response.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

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