Black screen on startup
 

Before i start id like to say im a total newb to linux.. Used windows for years but I'm not tech minded, my old pc run slow so i bought an ipad! Then was given a linux pc but a good friend about 4-5 years after buying an ipad.


Brief history
A friend of mine the other day gave me a pc he had lying around unused but dusty and had linux installed. i got it home and it worked perfect but no sound, messages him and i was told by a him to locate the "analog output" click that in settings and make sound run through it, all i could find was dummy output ( i think its called ), i researched it and found its because it was bugged so to sort it out i needed to uninstall and reinstall so i followed some guys code and did that.. It said the install was successful in the control panel type thing. but on restart i get a blank screen.. Like my monitor isn't working! " i used this method http://itsfoss.com/fix-sound-ubuntu-1304-quick-tip/ no sure if links are allowed but i used this guys method to try and get my sound back and ended up with a blank screen after restart.

I get to the grub menu ( think its called )

http://i60.tinypic.com/a3ecud.jpg

I have found many post relating to blank screen but non are like the picture i posted or talk really in death tech talk which i don't understand.. I think in the grub menu i need to change something but I'm confused

I believe its when you reinstall stuff that it makes the monitor not work?? Could this be the case?? If so can you help??

Ps sorry if i posted in wrong section i am a total newb so please forgive me

And no in death tech talk, try keep it simple :)

Thanks commando.

Ps if you want me to explain things further please say. I'm not computer literate sorry but i will do my best.

Just curious what might happen when you hit the 'Enter' key with that first item highlighted as it is in the photo.

It boots up the system as you would normally.. but then goes back to the blank screen again .. The computer seems to be starting up and working just no image.

Are you saying the computer goes past the GRUB menu when you hit Enter? It starts to boot Linux Mint and then returns to the GRUB menu?

What happens is if you click enter is it just goes past the grub menu and starts up as if you had switched it on.. You see 4 green dots on screen as if it was loading then it just switches to a blank screen?

Edit nothing happens after that just stays on a blank screen

Edit again i did a video.. Here http://youtu.be/E7WUsb2YjmY not much but might help..

With the first item highlighted hit the e key, go to the end of the line that starts with linux add the word nomodeset hit ctrl-x and see what happens.

After that i clicked crtl and x and all it did was reboot but bought me back to the grub on startup ( started back up my computer and without me touching anything took me stright to the grub menu ). I then proceded to start it up by clicking the first highlighted in the grub menu but it just went back to a blank screen.


Edit this what end of the line looks like.. I put that where it said linux i did it but after boot returned to normal. This is what it looks like without monodeset in it http://i60.tinypic.com/r1lst5.jpg

change the linux line to look like this and then boot:
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0.-37-generic root=UUID=a2156181-1db4-43e1-b1fc-7c248392cd2f nomodeset

note that I can't see all the uuid so I may the uuid number wrong.

Hi tried nomodeset after what you said and i tried nomodeset quiet splash and quiet splash nomodeset.. I tried all 3 of these and non worked?

Here is a few things to try to get things fixed. http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/842 At the black screen you may be able to hit alt-ctrl-f1 to get a login screen. If so, log in with your username and password and run the following commands
when asked for password use your user password, reboot and see if that fixes thing

Hi i tied the first thing on the list and that was the link, it wanted me to get to the line in grub after hitting e and find a line starting with linux and ending with "quiet splash" i did find that line but after quiet splash i had "$vt_handoff" ( after quiet splash) like this http://i57.tinypic.com/35ciqon.jpg

I was confused if i should delete it, or add the code in before it or after it.. I didnt delete it but did what was asked and put the code infront of it and then with no luck on restart put it behind it.. I typed in nomodeset.modeset=0'

I then tried nomodeset grub_gfxmode=1280x1024x24 infront of svt and behind it again with no luck on reboot

I then tried to do the login screen fix using my " user password" after alt,cntrl, f1 then the sudo commands for both..

http://i61.tinypic.com/2mgvb5t.jpg this was the end result but after a restart no luck..

Any other ideas?? I don't think i should play the lottery anytime soon with luck like this.

get back to your login screen and post the output of also try the nomodeset without the

[/QUOTE]

I tried the deleted quiet splash svt with new code nomodeset and it didnt work. I rebooted and still nothing

After trying
[QUOTE=colorpurple21859;5303478]get back to your login screen and post the output of I got this screen http://i57.tinypic.com/70kxgg.jpg i haven't done anything after this screen?

post the ouput of this looking for what modules are being loaded and errors.

lets get away from only GUESSING

with this being a OLD computer and you are getting a black screen
-- now i am GUESSING on this
you are trying to use the DEFAULT gnome3 desktop

so the likely FIRST thing to check is the 3d card ( if this computer has one )
It might NOT be supported any longer
OLD ati cards are NOT supported
and OLD Nvidia 5 and older are NOT supported
with the just OLD nvidia 7000 cards needing a old LEGACY driver


also if this computer is SO old that it only has 512 meg of ram
that might cause problems


so
Please post the hardware specifications

I was going by this
and this Right now it is just guessing.

I tried this and i dont quite get it?? I type in alt cntrl, f1? Type user and my password then? I tried that again with that code and i got this again..http://i61.tinypic.com/xlwgwn.jpg Should i do something else??

And john how do i find out what specs my computer is?? I think it was a custom build? on my old pc it had the specs written on a sticker at the front of the pc..

http://i61.tinypic.com/sg3g5c.jpg this is the inside of my pc? Where do i look or can i type in some code that will tell me the specs if i log in via alt, control, f1?

I found something similar happened with Fedora on my old laptop. You have 2 choices: boot into basic graphics mode (if you can) or use another distro. That was with a GeForce 4 440 Go GPU. I ended up with Mint.

No no no...nano is a text editor. He wants to see the contents of a system file on your disk using nano. So, from what I see here it looks like you want to get into your BIOS? If that's the case, on an HP like your laptop it is F10 when at the screen that says "HP invent". Keep tapping it until you get to the BIOS. From there you can navigate around and hopefully get some info like a model number.

Thanks for replies guys i really appreciate it, i searched nano text editor in google and found out about it and what it does as i have never used it.. But nano. /var/log/xorg.0.log where do i type that in?? I get to the nano text editor by using alt,contrl, f1 then typing in the nano command as above and all i get is the nano text editor. I really am a newb at this

On startup my pc shows the abit logo Then after loads a bunch of text, if i press f10 it shows me a bunch of stuff like ( pics below ) but it goes so fast that its un readable. And i cant pause it to take a look, snapped a bunch of shots with my ipad but didn't get it all it happens when the system is loading and i press f10.

http://i61.tinypic.com/2ikp88w.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/oh8s42.jpg


Sorry i am total newb so you will have to bare with me on this :)

linux is case sensitive it is with a capital X and will give hardware spec

Do i type this in the nano text editor or grub menu?? I tried it in nano editor and it doesn't work or i am doing somthing wrong do i need to type in something before..

type the lspci at the same prompt that you type nano,

Sorry for the late reply been busy,

View My Video i tried it but didnt work, did a video here, on the video i type in alt, contl, f4 on the black screen then my user and password then brings me to a code type black screen which i can type stuff so i type in ispci and then says command not found???

Not sure if video works either because i need flash player 9 but i am using an ipad.

This is very confusing as to what to type into which command prompt.

It sounds to me that GRUB is booting Linux, but that the video mode that Linux is trying to use is not displaying on your Monitor/Laptop. I have a monitor here that has selectively failed for 800x600 mode, while the other video modes still work.
The computer usually starts with a mode like 640x400 for the boot screens, and then switches to another mode.

If it was a computer with a monitor, I would bring up the monitor menu, and see if it will tell you what video mode it is currently using. I suppose these laptops do not have a way to do this.

If you are booting into a graphics console (XWin), the it may be that the video mode for that graphics screen is something like 1600x1200, and that video mode may not be working, or may have the wrong customizable video settings (depending on video hardware and drivers).

You could try CTRL-ALT-F2 to get to another text console. It may use a different video mode and you may see something.

GRUB has some debugging built into it.
Get to another computer and download some GRUB documentation.

If you had a way to boot a Linux install CD, I would try that. I would default to a usable video mode. Then you can use it to fix whatever file is calling for the strange video mode.
If it does not work, then you can suspect the hardware. At least you can differentiate between hardware, software, setting issues better than now. Any install CD from any Linux magazine would work this the test. You do not need to use it to install, just use its tools to investigate.

Type the command after logging into the login screen. Sudo gives root(adminitstrative) privileges. Still need to see what is in the /var/log/Xorg.0.log file. The ls command will display what is in the current directory
and so on

A lot of confusion seems to be coming from the nano instruction.
Let's forget about nano. To view a file's content, use cat instead.
E.g.
As for hardware specs let's see how much RAM you have with
And also, as suggested, post the output of

Hi i typed in alt contrl and f4 and tried to find sudo 1spci but it said command not found? But it did make me log in and then after logging in said no command found? , i then tried free -m and it came up with this - > http://i60.tinypic.com/2mnfzf5.jpg

I then tried cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log and got this -> http://i59.tinypic.com/k01xs3.jpg but thats after i typed contl alt F2, and logged it

I then tried control alt and f2 for nano /var/log/Xorg.0.org and got this ->

http://i61.tinypic.com/2rhr8jr.jpg

But sudo 1spci says no command found on both control alt f2 and alt crtl f4

I dont get it but contrl alt and f2 brings up a separate menu and alt cntrl and f4 also brings up a different menu..

Can you get a linux magazine with a free cd in any shop? Or specific?

Free -m -> http://i60.tinypic.com/2mnfzf5.jpg

cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log -> http://i59.tinypic.com/k01xs3.jpg

nano /var/log/Xorg.0.org -> http://i61.tinypic.com/2rhr8jr.jpg

Sudo 1spci = no command found?

Cheers

that is lspci with a lower case L

Found it.. Worked :) woo!! ~~>> http://i62.tinypic.com/5u1hn9.jpg

Ok, the free command tells me you have enough RAM for sure.

Looking at logfiles through fotos is not going to take us far.
I guess we have to back up one step and go back to square one.

In your initial post you linked to a procedure you followed to fix your "no sound problem".
This procedure describes several steps in a "if it's still not working, do this" manner. Can you tell us exactly how far in the procedure you went, and where it broke?

Additionally, for us to get a first impression of the results of your changes, could you please post the output of the following three commands:
EDIT:
Please also the output of
and, as already stated
with a lowercase l at the beginning.

Ah, just saw that you found lspci. So it looks like an nvidea graphics card.
Further to the output of the commands listed in my previous post, can you also post the output of
and
and
(Trying to find out if you are using an open source graphics driver or an nvidia graphics driver)

I cannot see your tinypic, so from the comments I assume.
1. That this is a desktop PC, not a laptop.
2. You got a terminal console using CTRL-ALT-F4 and the like.
If you can access a terminal console then you do not need the installation disk tools.
3. That the video is working on this laptop for the terminal console.
4. That the Xwindows screen is black, using whatever video mode that Xwindows (Xorg) is trying to use.
5. You got an nVidia card.

One tactic is to boot using Xorg defaults.
>> mv /etc/X11/Xorg.conf /etc/X11/Xorg_save.conf

Then restart Xwindows without an Xorg file (assuming it is not running). Xorg will default everything.
>> startx

If this works then there is something wrong in the Xorg file.

Using a memory stick for file transfer (assuming that works). If it does not then that is
another set of problems. Even if the screen is blank, if KDE or XFCE4 is running, then the memory stick automounter may be running. You may have to search around for where the memory stick mounts. Mine mounts to /usb1, but the usual standard is somewhere under /mnt.
>> ls /mnt/usb1

Look for what modules are in the kernel. The interesting ones would be nouveau or nvidia (or both). You could just look and tell us which video modules are running.
>> less /proc/modules
>> cat /proc/modules > /mnt/usb1/my_modules.txt

Then you can post the file my_modules.txt here instead of these tinypic.

There is considerable information about your computer under /proc. Just look at the contents of the files there.
>> less /proc/memory

Depending on your Linux version, the KDE or XFCE4 version, the current video settings being used are stored somewhere in your users hidden files.

If you are booting into a Xwin login screen then that video mode is ?.
It is likely some default of the Xorg.conf.

If there is a login screen video mode, and it cannot use that video mode because it is not in the Xorg.conf file, then it will error somehow. Having a black screen would be logical because it cannot go back to the console screen as it does when you start using startx.
Useful error messages may be generated, somewhere. But they may (or may not) be in /var/log/Xorg.log. The messages that show up on the console are not identical to the logged ones.

While at the black screen, try hitting CNTL-ALT-KP+ (control-alt-keypadplus) and CNTL-ALT-KP-, which are the video mode change hot keys for the Xorg system. This will cycle through all the video modes that the Xorg.conf file has configured for the current screen.

Hi i accessed the terminal and typed in

sudo apt-get remove --purge alsa-base pulseaudio
And
sudo apt-get install alsa-base pulseaudio

After using the force command on dummy output

I never forced again after pulse audio, i then restarted after checking that dummy output was still in the settings..

aptitude search alsa-base = http://i59.tinypic.com/2csf4n4.jpg
aptitude search pulseaudio = http://i57.tinypic.com/5b1c41.jpg
cat /etc/default/speech-dispatcher = http://i62.tinypic.com/2w5r9ye.jpg


cat /proc/cmdline = http://i60.tinypic.com/15ov52u.jpg

dmesg | grep -i nvidia = http://i60.tinypic.com/2vj8suo.jpg

dmesg | grep -i nouveau = didnt work


ls /etc/modprobe.d/ = http://i61.tinypic.com/308bkbd.jpg

It is a pc type computer. Maybe they can install laptop parts in a pc?? The guy had it as a gaming pc apparently?? But Umm, i don't think linux is for gamers?

Hmm, could it be you posted the wrong picture for
Does
mean there was no output? This looks to me like you are using the nvidia graphics drivers. Are you using the device for anything that needs high graphics performance? Because if you don't, reverting to the open source nouveau driver might fix the issue. I am deliberately saying it "might". Maybe nvidia drivers where only installed to get it running in the first place.
I am reluctant to give you directions here, because this might things worse, and I am not very much into this graphics configuration stuff.

What you could do is running a live session to see if the standard drivers pick up your graphics card. Do you have either
a) have an installation cd lying around?
b) a bootable usb stick?
c) another computer on which you could download and installation iso and put it on a cd of usb stick?

Another question: Do you have an external hard drive to which you can backup your data before messing around to much with your system? I am thinking that at this point a reinstall might be the best way to go. It would be easier to give you directions on that.

what is the ouput of

Hi guys where would i be able to download the reboot data for linux?? Im going to try and burn to cd after talking to a mate. using his laptop, i want to burn a cd or disk and use it to try and reboot my pc..

What is the bet place to download the softwear? Got a download link?

I will post the output as soon as i can, not near the pc atm.

I dont know about using high graphics but would be nice, i bought the pc very cheap and was free of everything just had linux installed, no photos, videos, nothing installed. I didnt do much on it other than log into youtube to test it out. Thus ended up here with a problem.. I was told the guy built it himself for gaming but didnt really ask other that.. I knew that linux isnt the best for gaming because windows games dosnt work at all on it.. I was tempted when i first had it to put windows and install that..

Where would i find linux iOS?

Cheers