[I am using a clean install of Ubuntu 8.10 with the compiz files removed because of issues with intel video chips.]

I have no problem booting to the login screen and signing on. I am, however, having issues logging off.

When I select 'Log Off' from the red button on the panel, I get a black screen. The login screen never comes up, so I have to do a <ctrl><alt><F6>, login and issue a 'sudo halt' command to get a clean shutdown.

When I select 'Switch User' from the red button on the panel, I do get a login screen. However, when I do a 'log off' to get to my original user, I get the black screen issue expressed above.

What would cause this issue?

I have the other users on my machine use the gray 'shut down' button on the panel to shut the machine down, rather than logging off.


Also, when I do the <ctrl><alt><F6> noted above, my console characters are too large. I think that the resolution is wrong for my monitor (natively 1440 X 900). Is there something I can do to get a normal looking console session?

Why on earth go so far - compiz will just be blacklisted otherwise. Which intel card do you have?

You can configure the login screen via:

System/Administration/Startup-Manager

However, some people find they have to manually edit their /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Also, have you seen:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=958392

The console is usually set to have 80 characters across. Is that what you have?

gdm login not returning is the genuine puzzle here... there are quite a few things which could be preventing a clean logoff from gdm. Have you tried issuing a logoff command from a terminal?

I have the same problem, and it is not related to compiz, or graphic drivers.

When clicking logout from the shutdown menu, you are taken to a black screen with an "invisible" window that has four buttons, similar to the one that appears when you "lock the screen"

What you have to do is click "Alt + S" which will take you to the proper login screen

I tried "Alt + s" and it didn't work. (I assume the 's' is lower case.)

Are you logged in with a second account or with only one account.

Because in my case I was logged in with two accounts at the same time, and logging out of the 2nd one caused problems (in some cases).