Dell Inspiron 1100 + Kubuntu 9.04 = blank screen + mouse

[Urge]

So IDK what's going on...I have a feeling it's gfx card related (underpowered?). I just did a fresh install of Kubu9.04 on my Inspiron 1100 (P4 2GHz, 768MB RAM, Intel 82845G/GL integrated gfx). It boots to the login prompt, I login, get the splash screen, then all I get after that is the default background (gray w/ white circles...not even the blue! ) and a mouse. I can alt+f2 into krunner and launch apps. What's interesting though when I launch apps is their window sizw is as small as possible; i.e. when I launched Firefox it's like 10px x 10px and I have to resize it (every time).

It says plasma is running but I obviously don't get the taskbar or the plasma workspace swirl thing in the top right corner. So what gives?

[Urge]

Re: Dell Inspiron 1100 + Kubuntu 9.04 = blank screen + mouse

Got Ubuntu 9.04 installed and working property (using it to post this). However I did an install of kde kdm and kubuntu-desktop and got the same problem when trying to login to kde. I'm at a loss.

[dibl]

Re: Dell Inspiron 1100 + Kubuntu 9.04 = blank screen + mouse

There have been a lot of problems with KDE 4.2 and Intel graphics, including the 82450G/GL. Run a search on "Dimension 2350" on this forum, and you'll find information about modelines to try in the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. I personally only have limited experience with an Intel graphics chip, on old Dell Dimension 2350, and didn't have terribly good results, either.

Even thought it is written for Ubuntu, most of this information is equally applicable to Kubuntu:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1130582

[trevor4706]

Re: Dell Inspiron 1100 + Kubuntu 9.04 = blank screen + mouse

Urge

What you have described is exactly how Kubuntu Jaunty installed on my Inspiron 1100, which sounds like it is identical before. Black splash screen, no panel, alt-F2 launches Krunner, all apps available but really minimized (I found I could maximize them by dragging the corners). Big disappointment, because I was very happy with my Kubuntu 8.10 installation, and had big hopes for KDE 4.2.

Let me know if you discover a work-around. Everything I've tried to date has ended up with no result.

[Urge]

Re: Dell Inspiron 1100 + Kubuntu 9.04 = blank screen + mouse

Trevor, I've given up on it and just resorted to using gnome...I don't have the time to waste on the antiquated machine...especially since my gf just got me a new 17" toshiba as a graduation gift (using it now).

[Guest]

Re: Dell Inspiron 1100 + Kubuntu 9.04 = blank screen + mouse

Did anyone ever learn of a fix to this? I was recently given an old Inspiron 1100 and I'm trying to load Kubuntu 9.04 onto it. Completely new to linux but know my way around computers well enough to figure stuff out. Have gone through numerous guides and such and managed to get the display working but now I get the same as the OP.

Thanks

[The Liquidator]

Re: Dell Inspiron 1100 + Kubuntu 9.04 = blank screen + mouse

What are the specs of your PC please?