Black screen and command prompt

[Dipper]

I used the Adept Manager to perform a full upgrade to Kubuntu Gutsy. Now when I boot the computer, the Kubuntu splash page appears but when the thermometer finishes, instead of being directed to the authentication screen, I get this:

Starting up...
Loading, please wait...
kinit: name_to_dev_t(/dev/disk/by-uuid/22024d15-99b7-4b18-bc22-637z3c94f71c) = hda5(3,5)
kinit: no resume image, doing normal boot...

ubuntu 7.10 dipper2 tty1

dipper2 login: _

when I log in, I get this:

Starting up...
Loading, please wait...
kinit: name_to_dev_t(/dev/disk/by-uuid/22024d15-99b7-4b18-bc22-637z3c94f71c) = hda5(3,5)
kinit: no resume image, doing normal boot...

ubuntu 7.10 dipper2 tty1

dipper2 login: root
password: 
last login: Tue Mar  4 06:57:59 PST 2008 on tty1
Linux dipper2 2.6.22-14-generic #1 SMP Tue Feb 12 07:42:25 UTC 2008 i686

The programs included with the Ubuntu system are free software;
The exact distribution terms for each program are described in the individual files in /usr/share/doc/*copyright.

Ubuntu comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
root@dipper2:~# _

It looks like I am screwed. How can I get my graphical desktop back? Is there a way to do a system restore?

[dibl]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

It looks like I am screwed. How can I get my graphical desktop back?

Not necessarily -- this should help:

http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3085112.0

Hopefully it's just happenstance that you chose to log in as root -- can you also log in as a user?

I don't know of any "system restore" function in Linux, in the Windows sense of it. There are many methods of copying disk images and backing up data, of course.

Good luck with it -- probably you can get back to a GUI without a lot of trouble.

[Dipper]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

I have modified my system so that I use it as the root. That's the way I prefer to use it. But the same thing happens when logging in under the limited account.

[Dipper]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

I tried using the suggestions in that thread that you linked. I put in the proper settings for my monitor (1680x800) and now a "Input Not supported" sign floats around the monitor. I cannot get back in to re-set the xorg settings. What now?

[Fintan]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

I put in the proper settings for my monitor (1680x800)

Looks like you have a very exotic monitor.

Are you really sure those settings are correct?
If in doubt have a look here:
http://www.monitorworld.com/monitors_home.html

Once you get back to the prompt:

root@dipper2:~# _

try:

 sudo apt-get install kdm

reboot and tell us what happens.

or just type startx to get to your gui.

Beware of using your system in root only!!!

[Dipper]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

I pressed ctrl+alt+f2 to get back to the command prompt. I went back through the setup screen and now I get this when I type "startx"

xauth: creating new authority file /root/.serverauth.5758

X: warning; process set to priority -1 instead of requested priority 0

Fatal server error:
Server is already active for display 0
       If this server is no longer running, remove /tmp/.X0-lock
       and start again.

Xlib: connection to ":0.0" refused by server
Xlib: Invalid MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1 key
giving up.
xinit: unable to connect to X server
xinit: No such process (errno 3): server error.
root@dipper2:~#_

This whole thing started a couple days ago when I updated the system. Before the update, this machine ran fine for over a year. I think there's an update which broke my nvidia driver. What do you think? Should I throw the nvidia g-force in the garbage and go with ATI?

[Fintan]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

Hmmm... I am not a nvidea expert but that could be part of it.

Dible should be able to help you there.

Did you install kdm?

What does that give you?

If you followed dibles how-to especially this part:
Code:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg


This starts the X server configuration script. On the first screen, answer "NO" to the autodetect question (because we already know what happens when it tries ....), and on the second screen choose "VESA" as your display type. Then you can accept the defaults until you get to the "monitor" section. On that screen, put an "x" only in one resolution that you can comfortably use, like 1024 x 768, or if it is a small display maybe 800 x 600. Then enter refresh rates appropriate for your LCD or CRT monitor. When completed, it will dump you back to the text prompt. At that point you can enter

You should be able to logg in.

I am still not sure about that monitor setting you gave.

can you post the specs on your machine?

especially the video card and monitor type/make?

[Dipper]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

Will try to post later. I have to go to bed. My head is spinning from all this.

My card is an NVidea Geforce. My monitor is an Acer (not sure what model) 22" LCD. As I said, until three nights ago when I updated, everything worked. As to installing KDM, I thought that's part of Kubuntu.

Anyway, thanks for all your help. It is much appreciated.

[Fintan]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

I have to go to bed. My head is spinning from all this.

I know the feeling

Your monitor is not exotic but your settings sure are
Acer 22"=1680 x 1050 NOT 1680x800

so you will have to reset your video card settings according to dible first

I suggested installing kdm because reading your first post makes me think of kdm not running.
t is part of kubuntu but maybe was uninstalled for some reason.

while you are at it do:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

sudo apt-get install adept

just to be on the safe side.

As mentioned running only in root is never a good idea

[stealthbanana]

Re: Black screen and command prompt

I pressed ctrl+alt+f2 to get back to the command prompt. I went back through the setup screen and now I get this when I type "startx"

What does /var/log/Xorg.o.log say, if you have to Ctrl + alt + f1 back, X is running.

In your case, what I would do is switch to the vesa drivers for X and get back some sort of GUI if you are easier working like that, then try the nvidia drivers one step at a time. Unless you run compiz or lots of 3d, you probably will not notice much of a difference.