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Ubuntu 9.10- Blank screen on startup prior to login window

I am currently using Ubuntu 9.10.
On startup I get a blank screen prior to Login Window. On Ctrl+Alt+Del , it reboots my system and directs me to page GNU GRUB version 1.97~beta4 with having following boot options:
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-23-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-23-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-22-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-22-generic(recovery mode)
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic
Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic(recovery mode)
Memory test (memtest86+)

Press enter to boot the selected OS. 'e' to edit the command before booting or 'c' for a command-line.

When I choose any of the options It again directs me to blank page prior to Login Window.
Please help as I cannot format my Laptop (specifications- 80 GB Hard Disk; 1200 MHz Ram) because I will lose all my Important files.
Also If you can suggest how can I retrieve my files and make a backup in case the problems persists. I don't have the Ubuntu 9.10 installation CD.
Thanks

Go to an online computer get hirens boot cd or ubuntu 10.04 or the latest linux mint and get your files. u shouldnt be using 9.10 anyways.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridulgattani (Post 4468270)

I am currently using Ubuntu 9.10.

Ubuntu 9.10 is not supported anymore. That means you will not get bugfixes and security updates. I highly recommend to use a supported version.

Quote:

On startup I get a blank screen prior to Login Window. On Ctrl+Alt+Del , it reboots my system

This means that your system is working correctly, but most likely has problems to recognize your monitor. Does your monitor goes into standby or something similar when this happens?

Quote:

because I will lose all my Important files.

You really should consider to make backups, if your files are important to you. Otherwise it is possible that you loose all your files when your harddisk fails or a bug deletes the files (or simple user error occurs).

Quote:

Also If you can suggest how can I retrieve my files and make a backup in case the problems persists.

Download any Live-CD (preferably a recent one of the distribution you want to install, maybe Ubuntu 10.04 LTS or the current 11.04, may be you can ask a friend for that), burn it to CD and backup your files to an external medium using that CD. Then install the new version and look if the problem persists.

If the problem does persist it would be a good idea to post which graphics device your laptop is using and which driver is in use.

Please can you brief me about how LIVE CD would enable me solve my problem of blank screen. Is there any procedure that I make a backup of my files in current situation with blank screen.
Is it possible that I can get my Hard Disk out of my laptop, get it scanned and have my important files extracted, Hard disk formatted and again into the Laptop? Please reply as I am in a mess since I am not able to access any documents in my laptop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvyus_06 (Post 4468274)

Go to an online computer get hirens boot cd or ubuntu 10.04 or the latest linux mint and get your files. u shouldnt be using 9.10 anyways.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD (Post 4468324)

Ubuntu 9.10 is not supported anymore. That means you will not get bugfixes and security updates. I highly recommend to use a supported version.

This means that your system is working correctly, but most likely has problems to recognize your monitor. Does your monitor goes into standby or something similar when this happens?

You really should consider to make backups, if your files are important to you. Otherwise it is possible that you loose all your files when your harddisk fails or a bug deletes the files (or simple user error occurs).

Download any Live-CD (preferably a recent one of the distribution you want to install, maybe Ubuntu 10.04 LTS or the current 11.04, may be you can ask a friend for that), burn it to CD and backup your files to an external medium using that CD. Then install the new version and look if the problem persists.

If the problem does persist it would be a good idea to post which graphics device your laptop is using and which driver is in use.

At first, the Live-CD would most likely enable you to backup your files, since normally ubuntu is installed using a Live-CD, and that seems to work in your case. You don't need to extract the harddisk this way for backup.
Second, the Live-CD will be used to install a supported version of Ubuntu which comes with newer drivers in a newer kernel and a newer x-server. That possibly is enough to solve your problems.
If that doesn't solve your problems please report back with more information, like graphics chip and drivers you use.

Sidenote: It is enough to post the same question/information only once, you don't need to post the same text three times.

9.10 extract data and reinstall linux

A live cd will enable you to extract data from your hard drive and install a new system. You need to set your bios to boot from cd/dvd first(as the first boot device) then load said cd/dvd.
On first boot, you will probably see options like 'boot from first hard drive' (worth a try) but default is usually to boot the 'live cd' and from there you can mount/enter your original hard drive and save your data to a third device (pendrive?) and, once the data is saved. go about installing the new operating system. Look, I suggest, for a LTS (long term support) version of the live cd, Ubuntu 10.04 perhaps?

Fred.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD (Post 4468348)

I tried to boot from Live CD Ubuntu 10.10 , though I was able to trace my data but only 12GB of my 50 GB is visible as it says that I don't have permissions to view some folders and files. I have recovered that 12 GB data but for the rest I am still worried. Is it possible that I use a Ubuntu 9.10 live CD, reinstall it without losing my files. Or should I give try any other version? Would Installing 10.04 over the 9.10 would lose my data? Shall I take my Hard Disk to an expert who would separate the Hard disk from laptop, Scan it and Retrieve all important files, Put it back and Format with a new version of Ubuntu, Is this procedure valid. Any other method, recommendation and ideas are welcome. But Please I need my files as it contains e-books that I have paid for.
Thanks.

Hi mridulgattani,

if you can physically go to an expert, he might be able to help you in any case.
Extracting the harddrive is always an option, but I consider it an last resort. Keep in mind, that you need a Linux sytem to backup the date, a standard Windows or Apple computer will not be able to read your data.

But regarding your original problem - there is normaly a key combination to get a text only login by pressing ctr-alt-f1 (may be ctrl-alt-f2 or any other f key). Did you try that when seeing the blank screen?

Are you sure, you get the blank screen as well when trying one of the "recovery" boot configurations?

Is there any indication whether the system crashed or just "refuses to talk to you"? ( I mean are there any activities on the hard disk, some LEDs flashing ...)

Cheers,

Peter