messed up Ubunto, messed it up good...
 

Hi all,
The title screams it all...I installed an nVidia driver on a box and now, at boot the screen gets deactivated. Usually, I'd Ctrl-Alt-F1 into a CLI but since the screen is disabled...hehe. So, I boot in with a live CD (Knoppix or something) and usually I get to the nub of things, text only but still...
So, where do I tickle the system to get it to NOT load the (wrong) driver?
Thanks :)
PS - I could just reinstall, it is a fresh system, but, I'd miss out on a great opportunity to learn something new :)

Try booting using the generic recovery boot option at GRUB.
Hopefully, this will allow you do things to Ubuntu.

If you are able to access the system from a live disk you could blacklist the nvidia kernel modules and rename the Xorg.conf that typically gets installed. Also make sure to remove any blacklist rules for nouveau that were introduced during the nvidia install.

Alternatively to the live system, if you have an ssh server running you could also try to remote access the machine from another linux box...

hi both,
Thanks for the replies! There are a fewx snags, that may only be resolved using a live CD...
- logging into a chroot (of sorts) is not possible, this is Xubuntu we're on about, no Grub splash...
- no ssh server
- no...screen...
I know, this probably requires some extreme thinking, but...I love a good challenge
Thor

To get a GRUB splash, hold the shift key down during boot.

What I did in your shoes when nouveau nvidia driver scrambled my screen after certain actions.

I ended up making my own /etc/X11/xorg.conf file.

It is setup to use Vesa as the driver on a 23 inch lcd monitor. You are welcome to it.

If you get no screen with it. You can always rename it xorg.conf.no_worky or delete it entirely.

http://pastebin.com/J7U0Hizw

Since this is a self learning exercise. Something I do also. You can also try

sudo apt-get --purge remove xserver-xorg-video-<name of nvidia driver you installed goes here. eg: nvidia-331>

Then reboot and hope Vesa or Noveau driver takes over to give you a screen again.
This will have to be done with a cli boot though. Using the recovery type of boot.

lspci -knn will give you the exact name of video chip driver you installed.

RIP, dead as the Dodo....besides, the client needs the box this weekend...
Bummer...