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then reboot and tell me if the screen resolution is different
The screen resolution seems to be unchanged, but now if I time right hitting the Escape key I can get into what looks like a Grub menu. It's inside a solid square going around the edges of the screen.
I had actually seen something like this before (before we started all this troubleshooting), but I did not realize that it was the Grub menu. Or at least, if it wasn't a Grub menu, then at least it looked very similar.
However, and FWIW, whereas before the first option on the menu used to be "Kubuntu", now the first option is "Ubuntu". The other options also seem to be different. I can't remember what the middle option used to be, but the third option used to be something like "system diagnostics" or something like that. Now, the last two options on the menu are "Advanced options for Ubuntu" and "System setup". Weird, not sure what would have made the options change.
ADDED: I missed the new part about the additional settings. I'll enter them and put up a new post.
Last edited by Rodrigo7; 11-17-2017 at 06:16 PM.
Reason: new info
The screen resolution seems to be unchanged, but now if I time right hitting the Escape key I can get into what looks like a Grub menu. It's inside a solid square going around the edges of the screen.
I had actually seen something like this before (before we started all this troubleshooting), but I did not realize that it was the Grub menu. Or at least, if it wasn't a Grub menu, then at least it looked very similar.
However, and FWIW, whereas before the first option on the menu used to be "Kubuntu", now the first option is "Ubuntu". The other options also seem to be different. I can't remember what the middle option used to be, but the third option used to be something like "system diagnostics" or something like that. Now, the last two options on the menu are "Advanced options for Ubuntu" and "System setup". Weird, not sure what would have made the options change.
Wow
The timeout was set to not display the menu entries.
At least now you see them.
Press "e"
To edit a menu entry
Please post the commands from the highlighted menuentry.
Wow
The timeout was set to not display the menu entries.
At least now you see them.
Press "e"
To edit a menu entry
Please post the commands from the highlighted menuentry.
OK, I got "e" to work. I'm assuming that I should be doing that for the Ubuntu (top) line and not one of the other two lines. Here's the output:
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hdo,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 \{what looks like a key of some sort; not sure if it's safe to post}
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root {same alphanumerical sequence as above}
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-31-generic.efi.signed root=UUID={same alphanumeric sequence as above} ro quiet \splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-31-generic
OK, I got "e" to work. I'm assuming that I should be doing that for the Ubuntu (top) line and not one of the other two lines. Here's the output:
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hdo,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 \{what looks like a key of some sort; not sure if it's safe to post}
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root {same alphanumerical sequence as above}
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-31-generic.efi.signed root=UUID={same alphanumeric sequence as above} ro quiet \splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.4.0-31-generic
edit the linux command line to the following and then press "f10"
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-31-generic.efi.signed root=UUID={same alphanumeric sequence as above} ro \splash $vt_handoff nomodeset
If the timeout is not set to a number of seconds. Then you don't see the menu entries.
It sounds to me that now you can see them and now you need to press "e" to edit an entry.
Special Note, editing a menuentry cannot be saved here. You can only edit it and then boot by pressing "F10" after you edit the entry.
Please post all the commands from the highlighted menuentry.
I can see the menu entries if I press Escape at the right moment, otherwise it proceeds to loading Kubuntu into the blank screen, or if I keep it pressed too long then it goes into the Grub command prompt.
Given the changes we've made, are there any limitations I should take into account with respect to the display (resolution, etc.)? How about when rebooting, next time I launch Kubuntu?
Given the changes we've made, are there any limitations I should take into account with respect to the display (resolution, etc.)? How about when rebooting, next time I launch Kubuntu?
Thank you so much!
Not really limitations. The problem here is the following below.
nomodeset
The newest kernels have moved the video mode setting into the kernel. So all the programming of the hardware specific clock rates and registers on the video card happen in the kernel rather than in the X driver when the X server starts.. This makes it possible to have high resolution nice looking splash (boot) screens and flicker free transitions from boot splash to login screen. Unfortunately, on some cards this doesnt work properly and you end up with a black screen. Adding the nomodeset parameter instructs the kernel to not load video drivers and use BIOS modes instead until X is loaded.
You can edit the file....
/etc/default/grub
The line is...
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=""
edit this to
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="nomodeset"
Then run...
update-grub
There are still things you probably need to do to configure your video card.
Please post the result of "lspci"
lspci
The grub2 manual explains most of this stuff.
I have been going through it page by page and really trying to understand how grub2 works.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Should I remove the "quiet splash" altogether and replace it with "nomodeset"?
2) Also, the line just below that is currently:
Quote:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""
Should I leave that line untouched?
And,
3) The resolution right now looks pretty low (big, fuzzy characters). Can I change it without risking a return to the black screen, and if so, can I change the resolution via the Kubuntu desktop (in Kate)?
4) Finally, should I run "lspci" from the Grub menu like we did the "set timeout" and "set gfxmode", or from somewhere else?
Should I remove the "quiet splash" altogether and replace it with "nomodeset"?
2) Also, the line just below that is currently:
Should I leave that line untouched?
And,
3) The resolution right now looks pretty low (big, fuzzy characters). Can I change it without risking a return to the black screen, and if so, can I change the resolution via the Kubuntu desktop (in Kate)?
4) Finally, should I run "lspci" from the Grub menu like we did the "set timeout" and "set gfxmode", or from somewhere else?
Thanks again.
Answer to 1
What "quiet" does
Disable most log messages
What "splash" does
Displays a Splash screen
What "nomodeset" does
Disables the kernel from setting up the driver at this stage
I would suggest you use "splash nomodeset"
Leaving "quiet" as a parameter being passed is fine too. I personally like to see the other messages.
Answer to 2
You can leave this untouched.
/etc/default/grub file is getting sourced by another script to setup the proper /boot/grub/grub.cfg file.
You need to edit the changes in "/etc/default/grub", then run "update-grub"
Answer to 3
Yes try changing the resolution within Kubuntu. I do not know what display control panel Kubuntu has.
I used Debian 9 currently on most of my systems.
I was just wanting to verify what video card you have.
What "lspci" does
lspci - list all PCI devices
Check out more details with "man lspci"
grub2 has several commands available to it in command mode for gathering information
kubuntu also has this same command
It is just listing your PCI devices.
Answer to 4
grub2 has many variables that can be "set" and "unset"
You can type "set" to see the current variables and what there values are withing grub2 command line mode.
The commands that grub2 offers is documented in their manual.
Note:
try installing "info" in Kubuntu
then type "info grub"
I find it a neat way to read manuals with "info" program. Once you get used to the hotkeys, you can zip around and get information quickly.
Request:
Please post your "lspci" and "lsmod"
I am curious to see what video module is running in your setup. I have a suspicion that is is nouveau.
One thing at a time, but I think the nvidia driver is much better to get full use out of your graphics card, assuming it is nvidia. I just like verifying it with the outputs of "lspci"
ADDED: You suggested that I install Info to make it easier to read manuals. Looks like it was already installed, as the Synaptic Package Manager only give an option to "mark for reinstallation" while the "mark for installation" option is grayed out. So I tried it in the Konsole terminal (info grub as you suggested), and it worked. Pretty cool.
Last edited by Rodrigo7; 11-18-2017 at 11:08 AM.
Reason: "Info"
How many displays do you currently have connected?
What type of connection? vga, dvi, hdmi, display port?
I am guessing your connected to one of the nvidia video ports.
nouveau module is what is being used for the nvidia card.
There's the integrated graphics from Intel that came with the PC, and then there's also the GTX 1050 that I put in.
The computer came with two DisplayPort ports, while the 1050 has DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort (one of each). Right now the monitor (there's only one) is connected via the 1050's DP port. I'm using a DP-to-VGA cable to connect the 1050 to the monitor's VGA port.
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