Yet Another Graphics Problem

[pmstirling]

Hi -

I've downloaded the current ubuntu CD image (7.10) and am trying to run the live CD version (ie boot ubuntu off the CD). It boots ok but fails when X is started - it attempts to display the desktop (or whatever it is), but the grahpics are totally corrupted with vertical colored lines.

I've tried safe graphics mode and the various boot options (noacpi, irqpoll noapic, vga=771), no luck. I can get to the other consoles (Alt-Fkeys) and use the command line ok; the X server messages show no errors.

I have an old Fujitsu laptop with the Intel 830M graphics chip (the i810 linux driver).

I have used linux on this laptop before (Redhat) with no problems, and just tried an old Mepis CD I have, again no problems. Perhaps there's a new bug in the i810 driver?

Any suggestions would be welcome!
cheers
patrick

[Pumalite]

If you want to install; use the Alternate CD.

[NoWayBill]

Perhaps it's loading the wrong driver?

How to install the correct driver to a live CD boot.

This isn't necessarily a good solution if you want to run from the live CD because you'll have to do it every boot.
But if you want to install from it ......

You need to know the proper name of the video driver.

When the video fails switch to command line, alt+ctrl+backspace.
Your network interface should be up, if not sudo ifup eth0 or whatever your interface is called.
Then...
sudo apt-get install name-of-driver

This might take a few, once it's done, shutdown X with...

init 3

It will start shutting down services and will seem like it hung at this step, just hit enter to get a prompt back then...

init 5

the X server *should* restart and load fine using the specified driver.

[Wazoot]

Yeah. check and make sure you have the right drivers. I had the same problem with the new beta Ubuntu (8.04). but i reverted back to 7.10 with no problem. :confused:

[nobles]

It appears there is some bug in the Intel drivers that affects the Xorg startup from what I've been able to find. I have the same issue with a stock Panasonic CF-28 Toughbook and I wouldn't be surprised if every notebook with an Intel based video chipset had issues. Both the livecd and the install suffer from the same blank or corrupted screen issue. I can, however, successfully install Xubuntu as long as I have an external monitor hooked up to the notebook, but it still won't run on the internal notebook screen even after installing and rebooting although it continues to work on the external screen (this is not a great workaround since it makes your notebook unusable without an external screen).

I believe this has been a problem going back to last fall with previous Ubuntu based distributions - it is rather disappointing to find it is still an issue with Hardy Heron.

[PissedApache]

It appears there is some bug in the Intel drivers that affects the Xorg startup from what I've been able to find. I have the same issue with a stock Panasonic CF-28 Toughbook and I wouldn't be surprised if every notebook with an Intel based video chipset had issues. Both the livecd and the install suffer from the same blank or corrupted screen issue. I can, however, successfully install Xubuntu as long as I have an external monitor hooked up to the notebook, but it still won't run on the internal notebook screen even after installing and rebooting although it continues to work on the external screen (this is not a great workaround since it makes your notebook unusable without an external screen).

I believe this has been a problem going back to last fall with previous Ubuntu based distributions - it is rather disappointing to find it is still an issue with Hardy Heron.

Take a look at this thread:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=187177

I have a CF-27 and had to cofigure x-server to get it working. Hope it helps :)