10.10 Only boots into recovery

[HABalloonGirl]

Hi,

I am having an issue with an install of 10.10. I hope this is in the correct section as I am not sure if it is a hardware or software problem.

I have a new (for me) computer (Its a Dell Dimension 9200) that I have put my hdd in with its Ubuntu install. The hdd works just fine when booted in my kpc shuttle but does not boot properly in the Dell.

I can get a grub menu when I pull the power cord and then reboot. If I select recovery mode, I can get a graphical desktop with the failsafe graphics options or a command line.

When I reboot after recovery mode, I do not get a grub menu (even if I press shift during boot) and all I get is a black screen with a blinking cursor. The monitors then go blank and act like they are no longer connected to the computer.

I suspect a graphics card issue for whatever reason. I am just not sure how to go about fixing the problem. Suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks!

note: I have tried several of the things suggested in the sticky thread. None of them seems to be working for me.

[Hakunka-Matata]

Have you tried adding nomodeset preceeded by a space at the end of the line that has (quiet splash) at or near the end?

Since you say you can boot into recovery mode, I'm guessing you're able to edit an entry at that time?

[HABalloonGirl]

That was some progress.

When I did an edit on the grub screen for the normal mode boot and added nomodeset to the end, it booted into a command line.

Still no graphical interface though.

[oldfred]

If it is an older system it may need other settings also. What video card does it have. That can change which setting is best.

How to set NOMODESET and other kernel boot options in grub2
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1613132
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCDBootOptions
http://www.mjmwired.net/kernel/Documentation/kernel-parameters.txt
noapic nolapic noapci noirqpoll nosmp irqpoll
http://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/kernel-parameters.txt

Or it may just need updates, this will update everything from command line:
#if not chroot use: sudo -i
#houseclean
apt-get autoclean # only removes files that cannot be downloaded anymore (obsolete)
apt-get clean
#refresh
apt-get update #resync package index
apt-get upgrade #newest versions of all packages, update must be run first
#would upgrade you to the latest kernel in the repositories
#dist-upgrade is also able to remove existing packages if required
apt-get dist-upgrade
apt-get -f install
dpkg --configure -a



Some other settings:
http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2010/05/06/ubuntu-10-04-lucid-blank-screen-at-startup-workaround/
* Older Intel video card: i915.modeset=1 or i915.modeset=0
* nVidia: nomodeset
* Generic: xforcevesa or nouveau.modeset=0
* Radeon: radeon.modeset=0

[HABalloonGirl]

based on the lspci output, I think I have a Radeon X1300/X1550

I tried downloading the drivers
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/linux/legacy/Pages/radeon_linux.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.7&lang=us&rev=9.3&ostype=Linux%20x86_64

I think that is the correct one. When I try to install I get errors:

ln:creating symbolic link 'X700': operation not permitted

Error: ./default_policy.sh does not support version default:v2:X86_64:lib32:none:2.6.35-30-generic; make sure the version is being set correctly by --iscurrentdistro

I also tried the radeon.modeset=0 which gives only the command line

I also tried changing to a Radeon X X850, but I don't think its supported by the motherboard (big errors)

Edit: Just found that maverick does not support the proprietary driver. Should I try an install of the opensource radeon driver?

[HABalloonGirl]

Well, I tried installing the radeon drivers and I am now very confused.

I can get the login screen. There are 3 little tabs along the bottom for languages and a boot options menu with recovery console, desktop edition, desktop edition (recovery mode). The recovery console is the Ubuntu background with a white terminal.

When I boot into the desktop, I get 2 desktops, one inside the other, both mirrored. (Like if I held a mirror up to my computer I would be able to read the screens). I have never managed that before.

Could really use suggestions.

Thanks!

[Hakunka-Matata]

Have you run the #houseclean and #refresh commands oldfred lists in Post # 4?
Have you tried the Radeon suggested switch nomodeset=0 ?

[HABalloonGirl]

Yes-I tried all the commands suggested. I still get the same behavior.

I have tried a variety of modeset commands
nomodeset
nomodeset=0
nomodeset radeon mode=0
nomodeset radeon mode=1

all of which I can get to boot to this weird login screen (which comes before the backwards and mirrored lettering) or a command line.

[Hakunka-Matata]

If you can get to a shell prompt, then you can run the codes oldfred has suggested in post #4, true?

[HABalloonGirl]

Correct-I think I was unclear in my previous post.

I did all of the following:

#if not chroot use: sudo -i
#houseclean
apt-get autoclean # only removes files that cannot be downloaded anymore (obsolete)
apt-get clean
#refresh
apt-get update #resync package index
apt-get upgrade #newest versions of all packages, update must be run first
#would upgrade you to the latest kernel in the repositories
#dist-upgrade is also able to remove existing packages if required
apt-get dist-upgrade
apt-get -f install
dpkg --configure -a


The same issues as previous remain unfortunately. There were some upgrades but, for the most part, there were no changes needed (from the above commands when run) in the outputs. (0 upgraded etc.)

I am still stuck with a command line or graphical interface that is completely wrong.

Thanks!

[Hakunka-Matata]

OK, thanks for the clarification..............

Have you already looked at this (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RadeonDriver) page? It might help.

[oldfred]

I do not know Radeon. But it seems like you may have multipe video drivers running. I might try housecleaning and just reinstalling one, houseclean and install the other until you get one that works. I only have commands for housecleaning nVidia.

ATI/Radeon
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RadeonDriver
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1558406

Natty Video issues. MAFoElffen
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1743535

This is for nVidia, but not sure of what packages you have installed:
Boot to command line video issues
Remove nvidia drivers -> install nouveau -> reboot and let Ubuntu detect your videocard when you're running the desktop -> install the new drivers -> reboot.
#Remove nvidia
sudo apt-get purge nvidia-common
#Install nouveau and remove the xorg.conf
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-nouveau
sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup
#Make sure you undo the changes you made in /etc/default/grub
sudo nano /etc/default/grub
#Restore the line GRUB_CMDLINE... to
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
sudo update-grub
Reboot